Corporate Social Initiatives Report

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Building Capacity

Vision To be the premier Aboriginal contracting company, proudly building capacity and regional prosperity.

CORPORATE SOCIAL INITIATIVES REPORT Points Athabasca Developed 2012 by Blairmore Media

Introduction

Welcome to Points Athabasca’s first Corporate Social Initiatives Report. The purpose of this report is to inform our stakeholders of the actions we have taken towards corporate social responsibility.

CORPORATE SOCIAL INITIATIVES REPORT Points Athabasca Developed 2012 by Blairmore Media Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report

Partners in Business

FOND-DU-LAC BLACK LAKE HATCHET LAKE

STONY RAPIDS URANIUM CITY PAGC

AURORA COMMUNICATIONS LTD. NORTHLANDS COLLEGE

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Who We Are and What We Do

Installing a converter at the Key Lake acid plant About Us

Points Athabasca is an industry- company committed to building experienced management team, leading contracting firm that and investing in successful and a strong balance sheet, the produces quality and safe businesses. company is well positioned to work while delivering an Development is owned by the continue to acquire, build and Aboriginal workforce. The seven communities in Northern grow successful businesses. innovative framework of Points ’s Athabasca area. Athabasca is unparalleled in the These communities are largely 125 industry. Operating throughout Dene First Nations communities Saskatchewan with targeted and include Fond du Lac, Stony 100 expansion planned for Western Rapids, Black Lake, Hatchet Lake, , Points Athabasca is Wollaston Lake, Camsell Portage

supported not only by its skilled and Uranium City. Since being 75 workforce and management team, established in 2002, Athabasca but also by the strength of its Basin Development has grown owners. to include complete or partial 50 ownership in numerous companies 75 percent of Points Athabasca providing a wide range of services. is owned by Athabasca Basin With a strong focus on wealth 25 Development, an investment creation and reinvestment, an

Points Athabasca Employment 2010 2011

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Celebrating the Success of Students

Racheal Tsanne–ABDLP, Ed Jozic–Pronto Airways and Glen Strong–Points Athabasca award a flight to Melvin Lidguerre Points Athabasca – Commitment to the Community

Points Athabasca aims to see the Athabasca community prosper by promoting better living through education, productivity and success. This section outlines the initiatives and contributions that have been established.

Northern Spirits participants performing for the crowd Tristen Durocher of Northern Spirits Inspiring Students

Students are Athabasca’s future Points Athabasca has also been workforce and leaders. Our efforts involved with student events such In 2011, Points Athabasca helped aim to foster students’ success as “The Future is Yours” Career sponsor an industry dinner by heightening their awareness Fair, held in Saskatoon. Points and mentorship program for of their own capabilities, and to Athabasca has a booth at the fair SIAST Kelsey in Saskatoon. This provide encouragement to help and sees hundreds of students $2,500 donation was awarded them realize their goals. come through, many of whom as a scholarship to one student. are from the Athabasca region. Donated time and funds are also In November 2009, Points In partnership with Northlands put towards “Get Kinected”, an Athabasca held a dinner in Prince College and Northern Career event organized several times Albert for 29 Athabasca students Quest, Points Athabasca had safety throughout the year in Prince in post secondary education. The training at Points North for 34 Albert for Athabasca Basin students goal of this event was to encourage Athabasca students. The training attending classes in Saskatoon students to continue their covered First Aid, CPR, Fall Arrest and Prince Albert. At these education, and know that Points and WHMIS. events, students come together Athabasca is there to offer support. to network, eat, socialize and take The ABDLP group of companies The company also sponsors other part in group activities. They also was showcased at this event and student-focused events, such as have a chance to win door prizes or the students were educated about dinner at the Saskatchewan Indian even a flight home. career opportunities within these Institute of Technology conference companies. in Saskatoon, and student appreciation nights in Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Helping Make Great Things Happen

Points Athabasca’s Brad Darbyshire and Glen Strong give donation to Cheryl Kimbley of Northern Spirits Supporting the Cause

Points Athabasca recognizes materials and took part in the the importance of fundraisers build, along with many laborious that support not only the hours put in by members of the community, but also initiatives community. Points Athabasca related to health, education and coordinated the arena pour, environmental issues. supplying the equipment and professional expertise needed to Points Athabasca has been a complete the slab floor. The rink long-time supporter of Northern was successfully completed in Spirits, a music, arts and 2007. personal development program Moving concrete for the Wollaston Arena pour for northern youth. Northern A few initiatives Points Athabasca Spirits holds workshops for is proud to sponsor: youth to develop their skills • Relay for Life: team sent to and learn different art forms, Prince Albert to participate “A couple of years ago, Northern such as playing an instrument, • Keepers of the Water: Spirits was in danger of not painting and drawing, set conference for the protection continuing due to lack of funding. design, or even learning to be of the environment in the Points Athabasca helped change an emcee. Special guest mentors Arctic our future. put on performances, and the • John Arcand Fiddle Fest: a youth are given the opportunity four-day multicultural music “Northern Spirits brings youth to participate in ‘open Stage’ festival together to open up their world nights. In 2011, Points Athabasca • Gold Metal Plates: raising to the many opportunities in the became the primary sponsor of money for Canadian Olympics Arts. We send them home with this program, donating $120,000 • Marian Conference: women’s possibilities and hopefully a for its continued success over healing conference renewed belief in their abilities. the next three years. The event • Northern Sport, Culture and is now referred to as the Points Recreation District “I want to take this time to thank Athabasca Northern Spirits. • Children’s Wish Foundation Points Athabasca for taking on • Saskatchewan Children’s this challenge with us. Our When the opportunity arose to Hospital Foundation youth are worth the effort!” construct a concrete floor for the ice rink at Wollaston Lake, Cheryl Kimbley, Points Athabasca was eager to Northern Spirits help. and AREVA donated

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Building a Better Work Environment

Points Athabasca crew at Key Lake Points Athabasca – Commitment to the Workforce

Points Athabasca, in partnership It is Points Athabasca’s mission Points Athabasca will continue with ABDLP, has embraced the to: supply a skilled workforce for to honour this responsibility slogan, “Building Capacity”. In construction, support services, and mission, while at the same doing so, commitment has been management and maintenance time providing a fulfilling work established to continue the with a commitment to develop environment for its employees. development of the Athabasca capacity in local and impacted workforce. areas.

Recognizing Work Efforts

Points Athabasca feels that hard 34 Points Athabasca employees work should be rewarded, and and trainees, and an article of for employees to know their the event was published in the achievements are appreciated. Opportunity North.

At Fond-du-Lac First Nations Each year, Points Athabasca holds in November 2009, 14 Points an annual Industry Appreciation Athabasca employees were Night where clients, stakeholders recognized for their work during and employees come together in a Cameco tour attended by Points celebration. The night includes Athabasca Board members. In entertainment, artwork, and a networking opportunity with December 2009, Points Athabasca clients and associates. The event organized and funded the also serves to highlight Athabasca Wollaston Lake Road Appreciation talent such as Leonard Adam and Supper in honour of the Sons, Amanda and Allison Strong, employees who worked on that and the talents of Athabasca and road. Ministry of Highways and other northern artists. Money Infrastructure, Cameco, Northern raised is donated to Points Career Quest, Prince Albert Athabasca Northern Spirits. Grand Council and ABDLP also attended. Equipment Operator Devin Darbyshire driving stakes at certificates were handed out to Wollaston Lake road

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Training for Tomorrow

Performing necessary inspections at the Key Lake acid plant Success Stories

Nathan Lidguerre Nathan Lidguerre knew from at Northlands College in , trade and to stay involved. We were the start he wanted a career in he jumped at the opportunity. He proud to have such an ambitious industrial trades. Nathan paid asked Points Athabasca if he could and promising young Athabasca for his initial education himself do his internal audit at their Key resident working for us.* and completed a course at SIAST Lake site. After demonstrating Woodland Campus in Prince Albert. integrity and a desire to pursue Afterwards, he began his career his CSO designation, Points as a pipefitter/welder apprentice Athabasca eagerly hired Nathan and worked for a couple years as full time staff. Nathan was at various job sites. When the integrated into the worksite, taking opportunity arose for Nathan on many responsibilities including to take a SCSA (Saskatchewan identifying opportunities for safety Construction Safety Association) improvements. Nathan maintains a Construction Safety Officer course willingness to learn more about the * Nathan has recently moved on to join Cameco in their Safety Department at Key Lake. Riley Bouvier Riley Bouvier has a promising understanding the complicated career with Points Athabasca. He aspects of construction. devoted himself to completing a Mining Engineering Technology “He never ceases to impress us course at Northlands College with his talent for the job, and in La Ronge, gaining valuable has a bright future within the experience and an understanding company,” states John Scarfe, of the worksite. After graduating Operations Manger of Points in 2008, Riley was hired by Points Athabasca. “We are eager to see Athabasca to work at the Rabbit where Riley’s abilities will take Lake site. He has been steadily him, and look forward to being progressing ever since, picking up part of his successful career.” skills in project management and

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Building a Strong Workforce Striving for the Best

Delivering programs and Wollaston Lake, Hatchet Lake In September 2010, Points opportunities for its employees to First Nations, Uranium City and Athabasca gave a presentation improve their skills and training Camsell Portage. at the Aboriginal Business is of great importance to Points Development Forum held at TCU Athabasca. The company actively Points Athabasca was invited Place in Saskatoon. The topic of pursues improvements with the to attend a conference in the forum was “Building Bridges to intention to enhance performance Osoyoos, British Columbia to Success”. and services, and to stay in touch promote Points Athabasca as with community needs. The a company and provide detail In Spring 2011, Points Athabasca following are efforts that Points about its partnership model. (in partnership with AREVA, Athabasca has made towards This presentation was given Athabasca Labour Services, these goals. to Osoyoos Indian Band Chief, Northlands College, Northern Clarence Louie, as well as other Career Quest and the Prince In December 2009, Points First Nations groups. Albert Grand Council) funded Athabasca hosted a Funding and coordinated an eight-week Employee and Training Strategy in Points Athabasca also funded a Heavy Equipment Operator Prince Albert. Numerous funders 26-week training program for training course for 12 Athabasca attended this event, including eight Athabasca employees in students. During this course the Prince Albert Grand Council, Cigar Lake. The training program the students had an incredible representatives of the Gabriel was focused on work etiquette. hands-on experience, successfully Dumont Institute, the Northern Funding for the employees’ wages improving 10km of seasonal road. Apprenticeship Committee, during the training program was Northern Career Quest, ABDLP supported with $95,000 from the and Métis Northern Region 1. This Prince Albert Grand Council. strategy concentrated on funding and how these sources could optimally be utilized.

In partnership with Team Drilling and Athabasca Labour Services, Points Athabasca continually tours the Athabasca region to collect resumes. The destinations include Fond-du-Lac First Nations, , Black Lake First Nations,

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Looking Ahead

Water treatment plant at Cigar Lake Going the Extra Mile

Points Athabasca is focused Points Athabasca is present at • Northern Labour Market on continually improving its meetings held by: Committee company. This is achieved through • ABDLP (Athabasca Basin • Northlands College Athabasca impacting the surrounding Development LP) Needs Assessment communities and workforce, and • Area Transportation Planning • Saskatchewan Heavy also recognizing the importance Committee Chairperson’s Construction Association of Aboriginal culture. Events Committee • Saskatchewan Indian Institute such as “Pine Channel” and • Athabasca Basin Transportation of Technology – Construction “Back to Batoche” allow Points Planning Committee Careers Athabasca to join in on community • Athabasca Enterprise Region celebrations. Purchasing Aboriginal Corporation artwork by local artists allows • Athabasca Working Group Points Athabasca to support • Keewatin Career Development the great talent found in the Corporation (KCDC) Athabasca region. In addition, • Mineral Sector Steering local publications such as the Committee Opportunity North magazine allow • Northern Apprenticeship Points Athabasca to be involved in Committee vital northern business publications with rich Northern history.

Future Initiatives

Many successes – both small and Athabasca will continue to build large – have resulted from Points the capacity of the Athabasca Athabasca’s efforts. The company region. continues to believe in the Athabasca region’s wellbeing, and Points Athabasca was awarded the 2011 the growth, quality and skill of ABEX Aboriginal Business Partnership Award at the Chamber of its employees. Points Athabasca Commerce ABEX Award Gala for achieving is proud of its achievements business excellence in the field of and community engagement it Aboriginal business development. has experienced thus far. With its ongoing successes, Points

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report Proud to be Points Athabasca

Points Athabasca Board Members Letters from the Board

John Scarfe – Operations Manager

Points Athabasca is proud to As we grow, we will continue with present our first ever Corporate these efforts and find new and Social Initiatives Report. Our innovative ways to build capacity unique partnership was formed to within the region and northern provide employment and economic Saskatchewan. development for the region while providing a valuable service to our clients. As a community- owned entity we also realize the importance of giving back to the Athabasca communities where we came from.

Glen Strong – Community Relations and Training Coordinator

I am extremely proud to be Points our Athabasca communities and Athabasca’s Community Relations developing our youth so that they and Training Coordinator. It become upstanding citizens and is important that we generate leaders, are great reasons why a profit for our stakeholders, we will continue to focus on our but it is also important that corporate social initiatives. I want we create an outstanding to thank our owners, clients and workforce. “Building Capacity” partners for their belief in Points is a slogan that we believe in, Athabasca. By providing the and providing opportunities for opportunity for us to grow, we our employees is important to will all benefit. the development of Northern Saskatchewan. Giving back to

Points Athabasca Corporate Social Initiatives Report BUSINESS OFFICE 875 – 57th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 5Z2 p (306) 683-3736 f (306) 242-0605 e [email protected]

HEAD OFFICE P.O. Box 183 Wollaston Lake, SK S0J 3C0 p (306) 633-5672 f (306) 633-4949

OPERATIONS FACILITY Points North Landing Bag 7000 La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 p (306) 633-2263 f (306) 633-2152