The essence of Fireweed begins by respecting the First Nations cultural connection to fire and the land. This connection has uniquely meshed First Nations with Fireweed and inspired business development for fire management services from early beginnings in 1987. Wildfire management and the growth of associated camp service needs have linked our company to employment alongside First Nations throughout Western Canada.
Fireweed is now positioned to expand our corporate commitment to First Nations by investing in a broad range of resource based renewable industries with our camp services. Alongside this growth is a commitment to respecting a level of “Social License” to operate within First Nations traditional territories, reserve lands and or private lands. Overall, acceptance by a First Nations community is built both on trust as well as our understanding of First Nations culture and traditional knowledge. Our goal is to earn and maintain that level of trust with our First Nations partners going forward.
We call this "Community Investment". It is a chance for business partnerships to be established and developed, by respecting cultural values which we all share and understand. Fireweed is positioned to partner with First Nations contractors and businesses.
Fireweed supports the needs of local First Nation Communities through a level of engagement leading to potential participation agreements, joint ventures or other business models.
Our concept is a Shared Value Approach to economic development with First Nation communities. A shared approach led by a community’s vision for itself. Many corporations lead their investments by their corporate interests and shareholder returns above all else. A Shared Value Approach takes the reverse position. Instead of focusing on how business should be done, it begins by focusing on “what communities need and how they benefit from the projects being considered.” This perspective helps to ensure longevity and success.
Our foremost objective is to present opportunities which have potential to fit with the First Nation goals; that are led by community interests and needs.
The Fireweed objective is to:
- Train to create an equal level of capacity to do the work. Fireweed is committed to operating ethically and sustainably, and First Nation Communities seek to maximize local benefits. Many times there is a lack of capacity on both sides that will inhibit success. Fireweed is committed to ensuring capacity building is a part of every project, maintaining our approach to Sustainable Development and Social License.
- Make a strong commitment to training, particularly Youth Trades training programs.
- Develop long term and sustainable business partnerships in renewable, resource based, high-growth industries requiring our camp services.
- Consider equity investment and shared revenue streams.
- Achieve tangible economic benefits with the communities.
- Follow a high level of safety and environmental standards which reflect traditions and best practices in all of our operations.
- Take our business partnerships and apply them to all of our remote workforce needs for housing, catering and other service or supply options.
This is Fireweed’s approach and commitment to First Nation communities now and in the future, to ensure long term benefits for our business partnerships.
