At Vertex, we are dedicated to cultivating partnerships that generate tangible benefits for both our partners and clients. We strongly believe in collaborating with Indigenous and Metis communities in the areas where we operate, nurturing long-term relationships grounded in our six pillars of success. Our overarching objective is to provide local businesses and individuals with opportunities that not only support their communities but also contribute to the betterment of the regions we serve.
We wholeheartedly acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional qualities, capabilities, and diversities inherent in Indigenous Peoples, as well as their profound connection to their lands and environment. By prioritizing open and transparent communication, we endeavor to establish positive and trustworthy relationships with Indigenous Peoples. These relationships are built on the foundations of trust, honesty, and integrity, fostering a powerful synergy that enables us all to achieve our goals and realize mutually beneficial business objectives.
Vertex is committed to forging meaningful partnerships with Indigenous and First Nation’s Peoples in areas where traditional lands and communities are situated near or are directly impacted by our projects and operations. By doing so, we seek to honor the significance of these lands and uphold our responsibility to support and collaborate with the communities connected to them.
The Policy
Guiding principles
We respect the Indigenous and First Nation’s Peoples’ traditional values and ways of life, heritage sites, and the relationship with their lands and the environment.
We engage in open, honest, two-way communication with Indigenous and First Nation’s peoples in regard to Vertex’s projects and operations.
We are committed to working with Indigenous and First Nation’s Peoples by assisting them in achieving continual benefits resulting from Vertex’s projects and/or operations, including opportunities to build capacity in training employment, and business development.
We cultivate understanding, respect, and opportunities for local Indigenous and First Nation’s Peoples among Vertex’s employees and contractors.
Vertex upholds a shared commitment to corporate social responsibility, including ourselves, our subsidiaries, employees, and contractors. We always conduct our projects, operations, and general business in a manner that reflects the above principles.
Vertex will provide ongoing leadership and resources including project management, development of business strategies, and action plans to ensure the effective implementation of the above principles and policies.
The People
Vertex will offer equal opportunities to Indigenous and First Nation’s Peoples to become a part of our permanent workforce, which encompasses a wide spectrum of career opportunities and levels.
Vertex will offer contracting opportunities to qualified Indigenous and First Nation’s companies, suppliers, and contractors, where appropriate.
The Nations
Vertex will encourage joint venture opportunities between Indigenous and First Nation businesses when it builds capacity and supports mutual business interests for all parties.
Vertex will enter into agreements with Indigenous and First Nation’s peoples, when and where appropriate, to initiate and support training for employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and other initiatives that will help build and sustain Indigenous and First Nation’s individuals and communities.
Associations
Vertex is a proud member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).
Current Indigenous Partners
Vertex has developed business relationships with locally operated Indigenous Businesses. These have been developed to meet our principles of economic and employment capacity building. Each has a defined territory and provides an industry-leading suite of expert and versatile solutions to meet our clients’ needs.
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Acden Vertex
The Acden Vertex Limited Partnership provides training and employment opportunities to help build and sustain Indigenous and First Nation’s individuals and communities in the Wood Buffalo Region of Alberta. With this goal in mind, Acden Vertex provides a unique suite of services for the construction, maintenance, drilling and environmental disciplines in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
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Alexander Vertex
Vertex is proud to partner with Alexander First Nation through Alexander Contracting & Construction Ltd., a teaming agreement with Vertex as the lead within Treaty 6. This teaming arrangement allows Alexander and Vertex to work together to provide a diverse service offering including environmental sciences, engineering, construction services, and contracting services. Vertex also provides training and employment initiatives to the Alexander community through online learning and in person field training.
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Haisla Vertex
Vertex has a strong standing partnership with the Haisla Nation to provide professional services support throughout the Kitamaat region of British Columbia. This relationship was formed in 2014 and focused on safety and medical services including the on-site provision of equipment, vehicles, and personnel. Since its inception, this relationship has expanded to cover all of Vertex’s professional services including land, regulatory and environment. Vertex’s relationship with the Haisla Nation focuses on community involvement in training and employment. Vertex has been successful in employing members of the community to complete work in the Kitamaat area and Haisla members have accounted for as much as 35% (or more) of Vertex’s workforce in the area.
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Nekaneet Vertex
Nekaneet first nation is located in southwest Saskatchewan and has developed a partnership with business to help stimulate local employment and business development initiatives. Vertex has worked with Nekaneet under the Nekaneet Vertex partnership to develop training strategies including the utilization of our learning management system to increase the accessibility and variety of training options. Nekaneet Vertex is proud to provide environmental and engineering services for southwest Saskatchewan.
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Siksika Vertex
Vertex’s partnership with Siksika First Nation is focused in central Alberta and has allowed the Siksika nation abundant opportunities surrounding the city of Calgary. This relationship covers all of Vertex’s services and has even expanded to allow opportunities for Siksika with some of Vertex’s working partners in other industries. Project opportunities have ranged from small scale field training to the utilization of large crews for large infrastructure projects.
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T'Sou-Ke Vertex
Vertex is a working partnership with the T’Sou-Ke First Nation (T’Sou-ke) to provide environmental and hydro-vac services throughout southern British Columbia. This partnership shares an alignment with policies, commitment to the environment and initiatives to combine traditional knowledge with western science. The umbrella of this partnership includes all areas of environmental services including soils, groundwater, wildlife and remote sensing. The Vertex team provides technical expertise and industry knowledge, while the Nation provides opportunities to grow and learn, and access to a workforce eager to develop their skill set. This partnership provides our clients with the opportunity to work with a First Nation company that is backed by industry-recognized skills, yielding a high-quality product and opportunities to grow and develop the Nation where they operate.
