Xaays Totem Pole Symbolizes Legacy of Positive Indigenous Relations for Graham Construction

“Having this beautifully crafted Totem Pole in our corporate headquarters is both a literal and a symbolic gesture. It demonstrates our longstanding commitment to and future collaboration with Indigenous Peoples,” states Terry Mitchell, Director of Indigenous Relations, Canada at Graham Construction.

Founded in 1926, Graham Construction has an unwavering drive to build respectful, trust-based partnerships with Indigenous communities. Graham’s Indigenous Relations team (Graham Three Nations) works internally and externally to support reconciliation efforts and empower the communities they work with. The team also recognizes that progress and accountability begin with a foundation of fostering education.

Focusing inward, Graham Construction participates in the Indigenous Cultural Education Training Program by NISTO Consulting. The internal training program is conducted by respected educator Holly Fortier of the Fort McKay First Nation. The training program covers historical and modern injustices, cultural protocols for working with Indigenous Peoples and life before colonization. All employees at Graham Construction are in the process of completing the training program, including the entire senior leadership team.

“When we begin to see the leadership of an organization taking the concept of wanting to work with Indigenous groups to heart, and then leading by example, it makes a huge difference in an organization,”  states Terry Mitchell, Director of Indigenous Relations, Canada, at Graham Construction. “This concept permeates throughout the organization.”

Graham Construction has put immense effort into fostering meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. These relationships are built on eight foundational values outlined in the company's Indigenous Statement of Principles. These values include trust, respect, transparency and commitment.

“Some of our relationships have taken several years to build, develop and then maintain. It isn’t something that happens overnight,” explains Mitchell. “We’re not going out there just creating relationships and alliances for the sake of doing them. We’re creating them because it is mutually beneficial for both the community and the organization,” he emphasizes.

Part of developing relationships with Indigenous Peoples means community engagement through participation in cultural events and legacy-building projects where possible. Additionally, Graham Construction prioritizes integrity and understanding, ethical financial decisions, and finding the right people to serve as Indigenous partner liaisons.

Graham Construction has an impressive history of forming mutually beneficial limited partnerships and joint venture partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. In 1998, the company partnered with a number of Dene First Nations located in Northern Saskatchewan and together they formed Points Athabasca Contracting. This first relationship sparked a series of mutually beneficial collaborations for years to come.

Using the same business model, Graham Construction formed an alliance with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council in 2011 and created Great Plains Contracting, previously known as Points Athabasca FHQ. The majority of employees on all their projects are Indigenous. By employing Indigenous construction workers, the alliance adds ongoing value to their communities and is a direct example of community reconciliation in practice.

In 2012, Graham Construction partnered with the Siksika Nation to form a solid and long-lasting relationship. Together they collaborated on a number of successful commercial and infrastructure projects including a multi-million dollar project to prevent flooding at the Bassano Dam.

Other notable collaborations include a joint venture with the Fort McKay First Nation and an alliance with a member of the Haisla First Nation, under the name West Coast Constructors. What each of these relationships and alliances have in common is a dedication to respectful communication, cultural awareness and shared values.

Recently, Graham Construction participated in the West Totem Collab with STARS Air Ambulance and number of Indigenous groups and energy sector companies. The campaign involved the commissioning of Xaays, a Totem Pole by Master Carver Ses Siyam (Hereditary Chief Ray Natraoro) of the Squamish Nation. The word Xaays comes from the Squamish language, meaning “a state of transformation”.

“Expanding working relationships through public artworks, galleries and private clientele enables me to share our culture and traditions by creating a lasting legacy for future generations," explains Hereditary Chief Natraoro in an exclusive artist profile by The Squamish Chief publication.

Chief Natraoro created Xaays to symbolize five core values which speak to the ethos of the collaboration. Themes of partnership and family connection are paired with integrity, community resilience and vision. The work features bold imagery which combines natural and industrial elements. A natural gas flame and drop of oil are carved alongside images of the sun and wind. Showcasing forces of nature side by side with industrial imagery represents a bright future of collaboration and mutual respect between Indigenous communities and business leaders in the energy sector. The duality speaks to progressive partnerships built on shared values.

“I’m proud to have the Totem Pole passed to Graham,” says Hereditary Chief Natraoro.

The West Totem Collab is the culmination of Graham Construction’s long-term efforts to foster respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples. In June 2021, the company successfully bid on Xaays at an auction in support of STARS Air Ambulance, the Squamish First Nation and Community Futures Treaty Seven Organization.

This year, Graham Construction became the official cultural ambassador company for the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) which took place in Vancouver and online on May 26th and 27th, 2022. The sponsorship demonstrates ongoing respect for the diverse creativity and cultural practices of Indigenous Peoples.

Returning for a third consecutive year, the IPSS featured keynote speakers and panels offering insight and practical guidance on how business leaders can effectively partner with Indigenous Peoples on mutually beneficial projects.

“To see major organizations involved with the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase is very encouraging,” states Mitchell.

Readers can learn more about the Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase by visiting www.indigenoussucess.ca.

Written by: CJ McGillivray