b'CCAB AWARDSABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AWARDRecognizing an AEDCs profound work and ability to increase the prosperity and sustainable economic development of entire communities2024-02-12 10:36AM but helping them find pathways to moveCCAB_40Anniversary_Award Recipients_Globe Ad_7x4.583.r2.indd 1up and to overcome some of the structural challenges with education means that we sometimes take a different approach, says Connelly.That different approach manifests itself in various ways. Connelly points to a current posting for a hospitality management trainee. This is a position where somebody is hired, theyre paid on a full-time basis, and through a combination of coursework through accredited online instruction they get to do for part of their week, and then on-the-job training and mentoring, were hoping over two years to help take some-body from ground zero or entry-level skills to being ready to move into a management position, she explains. That is a program that were looking to replicate across some of our other business units as well. DETON CHO GROUP OF COMPANIES The Deton Cho Group works to include other Dene-owned businesses in its supply chain, involving local suppliers whenever The Deton Cho Group of CompaniesThe corporation provides a variety ofand wherever possible. It also developed is a successful Aboriginal Economicservices ranging from logistics, environ- a community program to help out the Development Corporation (AEDC) dedi- mental consulting and camp manage- extended Yellowknife community. Over cated to strengthening the economic self- ment to construction, waste management,the last four years, weve put together sufficiency of the Yellowknives Dene Firsttransportation, exploration, mine reme- a community giveback program, says Nation in the Northwest Territoriesand itdiation, aviation, and more. It has a staffConnelly. This is really looking for ways is succeeding in its goal. Last year, Detonof about 315 employed directly throughto say, How can we make a difference in Cho had revenues of about $53 million. its seven wholly owned companies andthe community? Its not exclusively just for about another 1,000 employees with itsFirst Nation members. There is certainly The corporation is the business arm ofjoint-venture partners. that piece, but theres also the broader the Nation and has seven 100 per cent- Yellowknife community. owned companies within its framework,This has proven hugely beneficial for the as well as more than a dozen partnershipspeople living in the Indigenous commu- In 2023, in addition to winning the CCAB with companies in different industries. Thenities in the region, with the DetonAboriginalEconomicDevelopment impact of its success on the communityCho Group offering employment andCorporation Award, Deton Cho Group has been profound, and there is no endtraining opportunities to help build thewas also named one of Canadas Most in sightthe corporation continues tolocal economy. We take a very proactiveAdmired Corporate Cultures by Waterstone grow and expand. Just last year, it acquiredapproach in trying to help develop andHuman Capital. The corporation is clearly Kavanaugh Bros. Ltd., a waste manage- promote our staff, says Rebecca Connelly,on a winning streak, but it does not measure ment company that has been operatingthe companys vice president of strategyits success in dollars and cents. Connelly in Yellowknife since 1967.and engagement. As we speak, ournotes that it is because it cares for its people people team is putting together a programthat it deserves special recognition, and The groups beginnings, however, wereof management trainee positions. this ultimately accounts for its overall humble. It was basically started with asuccess in business. It all goes back to its seed grant from the GNWT (GovernmentThe Deton Cho leadership team under- Indigenous roots: We really feel like that of Northwest Territories) for $15,000, andstands that its not just about filling a posi- goes back to our identity as an Indigenous-in those 30 years, it has grown to where wetion for a job; its about giving peopleowned company and using Dene laws to sit right now, says the Deton Cho Groupsthe tools to pursue their careers. Hiringguide the culture that were creating withinpresident and CEO, Mark Lewis.Indigenous employees is always important,Deton Cho.92A CCAB PUBLICATIONSpring 2024'