b'CCAB AWARDSYOUNG ABORIGINAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARDCelebrating the enterprising spirit of Indigenous business leaders under the age of 35 who are driving the Indigenous economy forward2024-02-12 10:36AM CCAB_40Anniversary_Award Recipients_Globe Ad_7x4.583.r2.indd 1Nation in Saskatchewans Treaty 10workforce right now is about 90to 95 per Territory, with the skills needed to launchcent Indigenous, says Iron-Nighttraveller. his own scaffolding business. He started the company in 2021, providing scaf- Also contributing to the Amarok Scaffolding folding services mainly to the oil and gassuccess story is the support that organi-sector in the Cold Lake region of Alberta.zations like CCAB have providedIron-Nighttraveller says its made a world of In just three short years, the companydifference. For decades, there was no has experienced such rapid growth andsupport system. There were no opportu-demand that Iron-Nighttraveller findsnities for procurement in certain industries. himself turning down work. Its hard toNow we have a seat at the table, and CCAB say no to projects, but Ive had to turnis out there really driving representation, down jobs because we just didnt havehe says. That goes far.the capacity, he says. I have to be smart about what I take on and what I dont.Today, Iron-Nighttraveller is focused on Otherwise, that could lead to unfortu- growing his business at a pace it can nate circumstances that I dont want tohandle. Ultimately, he hopes to spread go through. We have a great team, clientsits reach across the country, and possibly like us, and our projects are done safely,diversify into other service offerings which is the most important thing. Itsconnected with scaffolding. Obviously, been a great couple of years and thingsthe dream is to be a national company, are only looking more positive. but I think Western Canada is more real-NYDEN istic, he says. Scaffolding is my main focus, IRON-NIGHTTRAVELLER Iron-Nighttraveller is proud that hisbut there may be opportunities for us to President & CEO, company is a fully Indigenous-operatedexpand into other areas that are integrated Amarok Scaffolding Ltd. business, and he tries to keep traditionalwith the scaffolding trade, such as insula-beliefs at the core of its culture. Firsttion, coatings and rope access.In just a few short years, Nyden Iron- Nations families are extended families, Nighttraveller has built his company,so we have cousins who are maybe thirdThe young entrepreneurs advice to others Amarok Scaffolding, into one of theor fourth cousins, but we take them in asjust starting out is to have alternate plans fastest-growingbusinessesinthea brother or sister, or an auntie or uncle,built into their business, or what he calls Western Canadian construction trade.or whatever it may be. There are policiesa backup plan for your backup plan. He was perfectly positioned to do this:in some companies where you can onlyAlways be prepared for the worst, Iron-he has 10 years of firsthand experienceleave for two or three days for bereave- Nighttraveller says, because no matter working as a journeyman scaffolder inment, whereas Ill give them a week orhow good of a business plan you have, the oil and gas industry and also holdstwo, if they need it, he says. Thats justor how much money you may have saved a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He isone example of how I operate. up, theres always something that goes currently pursuing an MBA with a focuswrong. There are going to be a lot of bad on Indigenous business leadership.Flexible policies contribute to the compa- days, more so than good days. But when nys high retention rate at a time whenyou have the good days, it really ampli-Both his work experience and educa- many businesses cite retention as theirfies your purpose. And you can see your tion helped equip Iron-Nighttraveller, abiggest challenge. Ive been able togrowth as a business owner, as a profes-member of the Canoe Lake Cree Firstretain a lot of my employees, and oursional, and as a person.For decades, there was no support system. There were no opportunities for procurement in certain industries. Now we have a seat at the table, and CCAB is out there really driving representation. That goes far.Nyden Iron-Nighttraveller Amarok ScaffoldingAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 89'