Turning the valve on Indigenous economic success – Enbridge Inc.
October 16, 2023
In 2018, seven motivated employees in a 7,500-square-foot warehouse began valve modification work for the oil and gas industry.
Fast forward to 2023, and Alexander Valve and Supply is Canada’s first Indigenous community-owned valve and supply company—with $45 million in inventory, a strong track record of Indigenous employment, and hard-won expertise in the oil-and-gas, mining, refining, pulp-and-paper, and petrochemical markets.
A fantastic success story, to be sure . . .with plenty more training opportunities on the way.
In recent weeks, Enbridge officials made a joint announcement with leadership from Alexander First Nation, which holds a significant ownership stake in Alexander Valve and Supply, during the Nation’s Treaty Week gathering and celebrations near Morinville, AB.
At the Aug. 21 event, Enbridge announced a donation of 120 surplus valves to Alexander Valve and Supply. The donated valves will be used to train new or future employees, including members of the Alexander First Nation, in valve servicing and refurbishment.
“As CEO of ABC and also a member of the Nation, I want to thank Enbridge for their generous donation to our Valve company and ultimately to our Nation’s continued growth,” says Ian Arcand, President and CEO of the Alexander Business Corporation, the economic arm of Alexander First Nation.
