b'CCAB AWARDSEXCELLENCE IN ABORIGINAL RELATIONS AWARDRecognizing individuals who have contributed to building bridges between Indigenous peoples and Canadian society2024-02-12 10:36AM the board of directors for General Fusiontheir budget with Indigenous companies,CCAB_40Anniversary_Award Recipients_Globe Ad_7x4.583.r2.indd 1and acts as an advisor to the Coalitionwhich was a massive potential opportu-for a Better Future and Cycle Capital. Henity for Indigenous businesses, says Little.has also served as co-chair for CCABs Aboriginal Procurement campaign.The energy executive was also instrumental in the establishment of the Thebacha Joint Throughout his lengthy career, Little alwaysVenture.In 2014, after the collapse of worked to create positive outcomes in hiscrude oil prices, many Indigenous commu-relations with Indigenous business groupsnities that had business deals with energy and communities. Among his more notablecompanies like Suncor were no longer efforts was his push for seven First Nationsgenerating income, which was a huge in Alberta to unite into a single company,concern to communities. Unlike a lot of which led to the creation of Seven Lakesbusinesses, the income that theyre gener-Oilfield Services, now a successful serviceating is being used for things like infrastruc-provider to Albertas oil sector.ture, education, elder care and scholar-ships so people can get a post-secondary They all were trying to come up with greateducation, Little says.opportunities, [but] the problem was they were all in the same businesses, explainsSome communities lost upwards of 40 per Little, who was running an operation incent of their revenue. To help counter these Cold Lake, Alberta, for Imperial at thelosses, Suncor, along with Indigenous time. Eventually we had a conversationleaders, worked together to create an about what would happen if they all joinedinvestment opportunity for First Nations MARK LITTLE together into one company. Then theyre Co-Founder & CEO, unified and everyone wants to deal withthat would be resilient and independent of Jotson Inc. them, and they can work to grow theoil prices. That ended up being Thebacha company as quickly as possibleaccel- Joint Venture, says Little. Mikisew Cree There is no question that Mark Little haserate growth, drive employment, generateFirst Nation and Fort McKay First Nation been successful in his chosen career,income to deal with everything from infra- invested half a billion dollars to build infra-climbing up the corporate ladder atstructure in the communities to educa- structure. Its [now] generating over $20 leading companies in the resource sector.tional programs and elder care. million a year into their community.What is more commendable, however, is his impressive record of supporting andLittle also played a role in getting aReceivingtheCCABExcellencein building strong relations with Indigenousprocurement commitment from Ottawa forAboriginal Relations Award is a special groups along the way. Indigenous business. He travelled to thehonour for Little. Not so much because capital to support then CCAB president JPof who it honours, but where its coming Little was initially with Imperial/Exxon forGladu and current president Tabatha Bullfrom. Most meaningful to me is that this is 23 years before moving to Suncor Energyin their discussions with the governmentcoming through CCAB and the Indigenous where he eventually became the compa- to establish an Indigenous procurementbusiness community. To me, that means nys president and CEO, a position he heldquota. Eventually, the federal governmentthe world, he says. It feels great that they from 2019 to 2022. He currently sits oncommitted to spending five per cent ofview me as worthy of this award.Most meaningful to me is that this [award] is coming through CCAB and the Indigenous business community. To me, that means the world. It feels great that they view me as worthy of this award.Mark Little Jotson Inc.Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 91'