WCDC 2025 Business Forum
WCDC Board – Left to Right – Dennis Esperance President/CEO, Colleen Cameron, Tyler Caron, Sandra Bighead, Garnet Eyahpaise [Ec Dev Officer], Harris Sutherland
about the event
WCDC hosted a two-day networking event out at Dakota Dunes in late September, 2025 to bring Indigenous-owned businesses and major industry partners together to build relationships & to explore real opportunities for future work.
Here is a comment directly from Dennis Esperance, the CEO of WCDC “WCDC hosted a Business Forum for their partners at the Dakota Dunes Resort on Sept 25, 2025. The objective of the event was to showcase the business capacity of WCDC partners to the many industry partners who attended the forum such as BHP, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskBuilds and Nutrien to name a few. It enabled the WCDC partners and industry to network, learn about who the WCDC partners are and what they can bring in terms of capacity while learning about the opportunities that may be available for 2026.”
Here is a comment directly from Dennis Esperance, the CEO of WCDC “WCDC hosted a Business Forum for their partners at the Dakota Dunes Resort on Sept 25, 2025. The objective of the event was to showcase the business capacity of WCDC partners to the many industry partners who attended the forum such as BHP, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskBuilds and Nutrien to name a few. It enabled the WCDC partners and industry to network, learn about who the WCDC partners are and what they can bring in terms of capacity while learning about the opportunities that may be available for 2026.”
about the event
WCDC hosted a two-day networking event out at Dakota Dunes in late September, 2025 to bring Indigenous-owned businesses and major industry partners together to build relationships & to explore real opportunities for future work.
WCDC Board – Left to Right – Dennis Esperance President/CEO, Colleen Cameron, Tyler Caron, Sandra Bighead, Garnet Eyahpaise [Ec Dev Officer], Harris Sutherland
quote from Dennis esperance
president/ceo of wcdc
“WCDC hosted a Business Forum for their partners at the Dakota Dunes Resort on Sept 25, 2025. The objective of the event was to showcase the business capacity of WCDC partners to the many industry partners who attended the forum such as BHP, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskBuilds and Nutrien to name a few. It enabled the WCDC partners and industry to network, learn about who the WCDC partners are and what they can bring in terms of capacity while learning about the opportunities that may be available for 2026.”
Jim Rawlings – Bird Construction, Chief of BOCN Edwin Ananas, Karina Gistelinck BHP, and President/CEO of WCDC Dennis Esperance.
Setting the tone
The forum opened Wednesday evening with a networking reception.
A highlight was Karina Gistelinck, BHP Asset President, who spoke about BHP’s meaningful relationship with WCDC and its importance to BHP’s future plans. Her remarks set a positive, forward-focused tone for the rest of the event.
A highlight was Karina Gistelinck, BHP Asset President, who spoke about BHP’s meaningful relationship with WCDC and its importance to BHP’s future plans. Her remarks set a positive, forward-focused tone for the rest of the event.
Jim Rawlings – Bird Construction, Chief of BOCN Edwin Ananas, Karina Gistelinck BHP, and President/CEO of WCDC Dennis Esperance.
Setting the tone
The forum opened Wednesday evening with a networking reception.
A highlight was Karina Gistelinck, BHP Asset President, who spoke about BHP’s meaningful relationship with WCDC and its importance to BHP’s future plans. Her remarks set a positive, forward-focused tone for the rest of the event.
A highlight was Karina Gistelinck, BHP Asset President, who spoke about BHP’s meaningful relationship with WCDC and its importance to BHP’s future plans. Her remarks set a positive, forward-focused tone for the rest of the event.
prayer, gratitude & vision
Thursday began with an opening prayer by Elder Don Gamble, blessing the event and the work ahead. Chief Edwin Ananas delivered inspiring remarks thanking WCDC’s partners and board, recognizing their commitment and the success achieved so far. WCDC CEO/President Dennis Esperance followed with a history of WCDC—who they are, where they came from, and their vision for building a strong, prosperous future for Indigenous businesses and communities.
prayer, gratitude & vision
Thursday began with an opening prayer by Elder Don Gamble, blessing the event and the work ahead. Chief Edwin Ananas delivered inspiring remarks thanking WCDC’s partners and board, recognizing their commitment and the success achieved so far. WCDC CEO/President Dennis Esperance followed with a history of WCDC—who they are, where they came from, and their vision for building a strong, prosperous future for Indigenous businesses and communities.
partner presentations
- BHP – Shared that Jansen is BHP’s largest investment to date, demonstrating a major long-term commitment.
- SaskBuilds – Chris Belhumeur spoke on Indigenous inclusion across their projects.
- 2Nations Bird – Highlighted the importance of stable, long-term careers for BOCN members.
- GFL Environmental – Outlined their broad service capabilities and commitment to Indigenous partnership.
- TLF Dirtworx – Reflected on their strong relationship with WCDC and the value of connecting in an informal, collaborative setting.
- Herc Rentals – Introduced themselves as a new partner supporting future opportunities.
- SaskPower – Dan Irvine shared SaskPower’s goal of spending $1B with Indigenous businesses by 2033, demonstrating serious commitment to economic reconciliation.
- Park Derochie – Shared their broad project capacity and ability to take on a wide scope of industrial and construction-related work.
- Black And McDonald – Presented new technology they are developing and expressed gratitude for their ongoing working relationship with WCDC.
- University of Toronto – Expressed appreciation for Dennis and Garnet visiting them in Toronto and highlighted their positive relationship with WCDC moving into the future.
- Paladin Security – Provided an overview of their company’s long-standing history, while also expressing gratitude for being connected with WCDC.
notable quotes from some attendees
kevin reeves
2Nations bird
“Our 2Nations Bird Construction (2NB) partnership was formed in preparation for bidding and winning contracts at BHP’s Jansen Mine.
We can point to our successes not only at Jansen but at SaskPower – securing contracts that put members to work, trained people for careers, and established our partnership as a thriving, growing, and capable partnership in Saskatchewan.
Most recently our 2NB partnership was awarded a contract at Jansen that will keep us on site for the foreseeable future, providing long-term and sustainable careers during construction but also as we ready for the operations phase at Jansen Mine. Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation along with our Fishing Lake First Nation partners shine a light on the opportunities that call for the best in construction services, in Saskatchewan and beyond. Truly a remarkable story to share.”
KRistjan Thordarson
owner of TLF Dirtworx
“The Willow Cree group assembled a great room of people from the Nation’s leadership and other department leads, to Karina Gistelinck, BHP Asset President We as partners shared ideas met new people, and this allowed for opening new doors and potential opportunities. We were able to meet and visit in a very informal and comfortable setting. To be able to joke with people and develop friendly relationships is a change from having to nail your shot doing a presentation on a timeline, in a big boardroom. WCDC has a great reach and continues to plan for the future with a solid group of partners and business contacts.”
Dan Irvine from SaskPower
a quote from Dan Irvine
“Thank you to WCDC for inviting me to participate in this worthwhile event, which helped demonstrate the importance of collaboration with partner organizations and customers”
Dan Irvine from SaskPower
a quote from Dan Irvine
“Thank you to WCDC for inviting me to participate in this worthwhile event, which helped demonstrate the importance of collaboration with partner organizations and customers”
looking ahead
The 2025 Partner Business Forum strengthened existing partnerships, created new connections, and highlighted real opportunities for 2026 and beyond.
WCDC remains committed to building long-term, values-driven partnerships that support good jobs, strong businesses, and economic growth for Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation and Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan. If you are from a company interested in working with us, please fill out our industry application form and we will be in touch.
WCDC remains committed to building long-term, values-driven partnerships that support good jobs, strong businesses, and economic growth for Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation and Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan. If you are from a company interested in working with us, please fill out our industry application form and we will be in touch.