Welcome to 2021 edition of the Annual Report for your LNIB Development Corporation. Within these pages you will find reports and articles covering the company’s activities over the past year, and a look forward at the work in progress or on deck for us.
The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation seeks to identify an available parcel of land to lease on the Lower Nicola Indian Band reserve and invites interested LNIB CP Landholders to respond.
Parcel of Land Criteria:
• Must be located on a LNIB member’s owned CP land
• Must be appropriately zoned under the LNIB Land Code to allow for a commercial office
• Must be a minimum parcel size of .5 acres to allow for a 36’ x 60’ office with adequate space for parking and the installation of a septic system
• Must have water and power services available to the lot line
• Must have good access to a public highway
• The LNIB CP land holder must be willing to enter into a long-term lease of a minimum 10 years with an option to extend
• LNIBDC has a preference to a lot that is in close proximity to the LNIB Administration and/or the LNIB Land’s office buildings
For more information or to express your interest, please contact LNIBDC’s General Manager, Don Gossoo at (250) 315-9277 or Don.Gossoo@lnibdc.com
This Expression of Interest shall remain open until
Friday, April 29, 2022 at 4:00 pm
On August 31, 2020, the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission line, located south of Merritt in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, was successfully energized. With this milestone, Valard Construction LP (Valard) and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. (LNIBDC) will begin operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line, as partners.
The 138-kV transmission line connects to BC Hydro’s distribution line to provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as to a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
“We are excited about the energization of this transmission line – it marks an important step towards this project being the first electricity transmission line to be majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. We look forward to the economic benefits this project provides as well as continuing to build a relationship with Trans Mountain and our partner Valard that is based upon on trust, respect and teamwork” says Stuart Jackson, Chair of LNIBDC.
“We are very proud of this milestone for LNIBDC, Valard, and Trans Mountain. This has been a very unique partnership, and LNIBDC will benefit tremendously through the operation and maintenance of the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line. As we move forward with the Expansion Project, we are proud to be creating partnerships for Indigenous communities and are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we build and operate” says Ian Anderson, President, and CEO of Trans Mountain.
“I would like to congratulate and thank each and every employee, contractor, and partner that contributed to the safe and successful completion of this project! We cherish the relationships we form on all of our projects, but we’re especially pleased with the one we have with LNIBDC and we plan to cultivate and grow it well into the future” says Barkley Adams, President & CEO, Valard Group of Companies.
Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications, and renewable energy.
The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction LP (Valard) to build, own, operate and maintain the new 24-kilometre Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line that will run through the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s traditional territory.
The 138-kV transmission line will connect from BC Hydro’s distribution line and provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
“This will be the first electricity transmission line to be constructed, majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. This project will provide valuable economic benefits to the Lower Nicola Indian Band,” says Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager of LNIBDC.
LNIBDC holds a majority interest in partnership with Valard and has negotiated a 20-year contract with Trans Mountain Canada Inc. to construct the transmission line and interconnection to BC Hydro, as well as own, operate and maintain the line, with the potential of renewing the contract for an additional 20 years.
“We are proud to partner with LNIB and Valard on this unique project, which will provide direct and lasting economic opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities share in the benefits of the Expansion Project and the partnerships we are creating are based on trust, respect and collaboration,” says Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation.
“We are extremely pleased to be the selected partner in this exciting project. Valard looks forward to working directly with LNIB, Trans Mountain and local Community partners through all phases of this project in support of local economic opportunities and development,” says Barkley Adams, CEO of Valard.
Construction of the transmission line will commence in a series of phased activities along the utility right-of-way through Kingsvale beginning no sooner than February 2020 and is expected to be completed by August 2020.
LNIBDC and its partner Valard will start operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line when construction is completed on behalf of Trans Mountain for a minimum of a year. The transfer of ownership will occur after a separate regulatory process has been completed.
Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications and renewable energy. www.valard.com
Contacts:
Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager
LNIB Development Corporation
604-763-1844
Steve Sousa,
Chief Commercial Officer
Valard Construction
403-279-1003
2020-02-27 For Immediate Release – LNIB Development Corp New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line
August 1, 2018, Vancouver B.C. — Lower Nicola Site Services (LNSS), a limited partnership between the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. and Vancouver-based construction company, Infracon, announced today the purchase of Ogilvie Mountain Holdings.
Ogilvie Mountain Holdings is an established pipeline integrity and right-of-way management services company based in Hope, B.C. successfully servicing clients such as Kinder Morgan and Spectra/Enbridge for nearly 25 years.
“This is a real first for us. It’s going to create a lot of opportunity – to build capacity, create jobs and provide training, as well as to forge strong relationships with government, industry and other stakeholders, including neighbouring First Nations groups,” says Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief, Aaron Sumexheltza.
Recognized as an emerging leader in pipeline maintenance and right-of-way services, Ogilvie Mountain Holdings offers a full suite of services centered around pipeline integrity, maintenance and capital projects with a broad service territory that incorporates traditional Nlaka’pamux First Nation lands, including those of the Lower Nicola Indian Band.
As chair of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp., Chief Sumexheltza, who is a lawyer, will be taking an active leadership role in Ogilvie Mountain Holdings.
“Our mandate is to take a proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that our environment is cared for both now and for future generations. Our ownership of Ogilvie gives us an opportunity to take action, rather than just talk about it. We are keen on a leadership role in the energy sector and maintaining the integrity of the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipelines for generations to come” says Chief Sumexheltza.
Chief Sumexheltza brings to the table a multi-faceted skill set. He holds degrees in both Law and Environmental Studies and sits on several environmentally focused boards.
Established in 2016 as a limited partnership between Infracon and LNIB Development Corp., Lower Nicola Site Services currently has various mining and construction projects ongoing in the Thompson/Nicola Valley. Ogilvie Mountain Holdings will be the partnership’s latest and largest business collaboration and acquisition.
“This is a historic acquisition in B.C.,” says Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Infracon, adding that the LNSS partnership brings together diverse and powerful skill sets. “We believe that collaboration with First Nations, and their communities is crucial towards establishing economic, social and environmental wellness in Canada.”
Wilson says that the future vision for Ogilvie Mountain Holdings includes expanding its suite of clients and scope of services to include new pipeline construction and capital projects, as well as broadening the service territory.
“We are already in negotiations with new clients and are starting to move further north into the province,” says Wilson. “We look forward to growing the business and providing opportunities in the Nlaka’pamux region for current and future generations.”
For more information, please contact:
Dennis Wilson Chief Aaron Sumexheltza
President & CEO Chair
Infracon LNIB Development Corp.
dwilson@infracon.com aaron.sumexheltza@lnib.net
604.999.9142 250.315.7563
ABOUT LNSS: Established in 2016 as a limited partnership between Infracon and LNIB Development Corp., LNSS takes a unique approach, which includes three key facets – training, employment and mentorship, procurement and social investment. Current and past projects include contracts with Teck Highland Valley Copper, vegetation management services for Kinder Morgan, emergency flood mitigation for the province in Lower Nicola and Merritt, along with various construction projects with B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Ogilvie Mountain Holdings is the partnership’s latest of many future business collaborations. www.lnss.ca
ABOUT INFRACON: Infracon is a progressive, fully integrated construction service provider with offices in Vancouver, Merritt, Kamloops, Dawson Creek, Calgary and Saskatoon. It is committed to establishing and maintaining meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations groups through partnerships, joint ventures, and working agreements. www.infracon.com
ABOUT THE LOWER NICOLA INDIAN BAND (LNIB): Part of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, the 1,250 member-strong LNIB is located in Lower Nicola, adjacent to Merritt, B.C. Its business arm – the LNIB Development Corp. has spearheaded several economic development ventures including Shulus Farms, Shulus Forest Enterprises and Lower Nicola Site Services. www.lnib.net
ABOUT OGILVIE MOUNTAIN HOLDINGS (OMH): Base in Hope, British Columbia, OMH services clients such as Kinder Morgan and Spectra/Enbridge with a variety of services such as pipeline integrity digs, cut-outs, booster station site preparation, facility upgrades, NACE certified coatings, abrasive blasting, contaminated soil reclamations, steep slope excavations and creek crossing programs with no safety or environmental incidents. Going forward, OMH’s strategic plan includes expansion through its new ownership model, while continuing to achieve the highest standards of service. www.ogilviemountain.com
Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation, Stuwix Resources and Aspen Planers Announce Alliance Agreement
February 20, 2018. MERRITT, British Columbia. ——
Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC), Stuwix Resources Ltd. (Stuwix), and Aspen Planers Ltd. (Aspen) are pleased to announce that they have signed a long-term Memorandum of Understanding Agreement that sets out a framework for negotiating business agreements related to the parties’ timber and sawmill interests in the Nicola Valley region of BC.
The agreement is a formal commitment between the LNIBDC, Stuwix and Aspen to identify and pursue new economic opportunities and commercial investments, as well as to establish a collaborative forest management planning and operations process for various regional timber interests. Harnessing the local expertise in the communities to create more employment opportunities is the cornerstone of this new alliance. As both LNIBDC and Stuwix understand the importance of Aspen’s sawmilling operations to Merritt and the area’s First Nations, this new partnership will provide Aspen additional timber supply needed to maintain their operations while enabling the First Nations community to support its own economic development.
Chief Aaron Sumexheltza, who is also the Chair of the LNIDC, stated, “We want to ensure the generations to come will benefit from sustainable jobs and economic opportunities. We rely on the forest products industry to help create wealth and to sustain our community’s growth. Our partnership with Aspen will realize many opportunities for our contractors, members and our nation that will benefit us now and in the long term.” He added, “This agreement is important to the Lower Nicola Band because it not only supports our environmental goals, but our social and economic goals for the region as well.”
“By working together to explore mutually beneficial opportunities, we are embarking on a path that is good for both business and our communities, which is one of our core principles,” said
Aspen’s CEO Surinder Ghog. “Aspen has long been proactive in working closely with First Nations that lie within or near our timber supply areas to provide important economic opportunities, and our alliance with LNIBDC and Stuwix is another key step towards securing a long-term future for our business in the Nicola Valley.” Ghog continued, “This agreement underscores the commitment of Aspen and its First Nations communities to work together to create regional employment and economic opportunities.”
This newly-minted partnership seeks to realize the maximum value of forest licences by utilizing Stuwix’s and Aspen’s expertise in forest management, which includes integrating First Nations principles and values throughout the regional timber supply areas.
About Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation:
LNIB Development Corporation is the corporate entity of the Lower Nicola Indian Band. Chief Aaron Sumexheltza is the chair of the board and is accompanied by five Board of Directors. The goal is to create wealth and prosperity for band members as well as the local economy and businesses. While being committed to the stewardship of community resources in a manner that provides lasting value for future generations. Through partnerships and joint ventures, LNIBDC is changing the future of our people in a positive way.
Contact: Chief Aaron Sumexheltza: 250-315-7563
About Stuwix Resources Ltd.:
Stuwix Resources Ltd. (Stuwix), established in 1999, is a forest management company in the Merritt area that is wholly owned by eight First Nation Bands (including Lower Nicola Indian Band) and is located within the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx territories. Stuwix is First Nations managed and has invested in developing First Nations capacity in planning, developing, marketing, timber-harvesting, road-building and silviculture activities on various regional forest licenses. In 2011 Stuwix attained forest certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards.Contact: Lennard Joe: 250-315-8486
About Aspen Planers Ltd.:
Aspen Planers is a privately held British Columbia forestry company with three principal business segments; round-wood, lumber and overlaid concrete forming plywood. Aspen’s business is the management of forest lands, harvesting of timber and the manufacture and sale of
round-wood, lumber and plywood products, primarily for North American, Asian and European markets. Aspen’s sawmills and panel plants also generate wood chips sold externally for pulp production, and other residual products used in finger joint lumber plants, biomass power plants, and wood pellets.
Contact: Bruce Rose: 604-377-1423
Vision:
Contribute to the creation of a resilient, healthy and sustainable LNIB community.
Mission:
As the designated business entity for the LNIB, the development corporation priorities are wealth creation, employment opportunities, and economic community development while committing to the stewardship of its resources in a manner that provides lasting value for future generations.
In everything we do LNIB and its partners consider:
Culture, Safety & Environment.
Core Values and Principles:
– Respect
– Accountability & Strong Governance
– Transparency
– Collaboration
– Judicious Risk
– Community involvement
– Diversification of local economy
– Provision of fair living wages
First Nation Safety Conference will be held at Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and Conference Center on September 14th and 15th 2017. Please join us at our two days event with keynote address by Senator Murray Sinclair will feature a variety of workshops and networking opportunities for First Nation Leader, Administrators, Economic Development Managers, Business Owners and Workers interested in learning more about the many systems and programs available to support safe economic development opportunities for all.
Senator Murray Sinclair will deliver keynote address.
Improved copper prices should produce economic benefits for the Nicola Valley at HVC
A recent Aboriginal Business Match event in Nanaimo led to an instant connection between Jennifer Wiegele and Cori Maedel, the CEO of Vancouver-based human resources consulting firm Jouta Performance Group.
They discovered an issue that had them equally concerned: their observation of an increase in unions targeting First Nations businesses.
Read the full article published in Business In Vancouver.
LNIB Development corp. is the corporate entity of the LNIB, or the Nlaka’pamux. Our goals is to create wealth and prosperity for bands members as well as the local economy businesses. Through partnerships and joint ventures, LNIB DC is changing the future of our people in a positive way.