Page 52 - Canadian Industry Online

CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - OCTOBER 2015 RS: Through NAABA I gained the confidence that I could self-navi- gate the industry with my Aboriginal roots at the forefront. I was working with Nexen when I was approached to work on the board for NAABA and the experience has been great. NAABA has played a role in exposing me to Ab- original entrepreneurship: both com- panies who are working to expand and those that are starting. It has shown me what it takes to be in industry and has helped me understand what others are doing to be successful.CIO: With all that’s happening in oil right now, what is the competition like for contractors?RS: Many clients in the oil sands prefer to stay committed to their Ab- original partners, and this is a growing market I want to be part of. However pricing is an issue and the economy isn’t stable—capital investments are smaller and so the client will some- times look to the contractor with the lowest price (not necessarily the best contractor). However as much as this means more aggressive competition52