Friday, June 19, 2026

Supporting Indigenous Workers: Lessons from Radium North

As National Indigenous Peoples Day approaches on June 21, we're celebrating organizations that are helping create respectful, inclusive, and opportunity-focused workplaces across the skilled trades.

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Radium North is an Indigenous-owned CLAC signatory contractor based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Through intentional hiring practices, community partnerships, and a commitment to ongoing learning, Radium North is demonstrating what reconciliation can look like in action on a jobsite and in the workplace.

Reconciliation Starts with Everyday Actions

For Radium North, reconciliation isn't a one-time initiative—it's something that happens every day.

The company focuses on creating an environment where Indigenous employees feel respected, supported, and included. This includes providing cultural awareness and sensitivity training, encouraging open conversations, and fostering understanding across crews. Just as importantly, the organization prioritizes mentorship, career development, and creating pathways for advancement within the skilled trades.

"Above all, we're committed to listening, learning, and making sure everyone on our crew feels safe and valued," says Rhonda Marsden, Indigenous Liasion at Radium North.

Creating Meaningful Opportunities

Supporting Indigenous workers means more than opening the door—it means helping people build long-term careers.

Radium North has made Indigenous representation a key part of its workforce strategy, with a goal of maintaining at least 20 percent Indigenous representation among employees. Today, the company has exceeded that goal, with Indigenous workers making up 22 percent of its workforce.

The company's approach includes equitable hiring practices, hands-on training, mentorship opportunities, and career development support. By investing in people and their skills, Radium North is helping create sustainable career pathways in the trades.

Building Strong Community Partnerships

Partnerships with Indigenous communities are central to how Radium North operates.

The company believes that taking the time to listen, learn, and work alongside communities leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. This commitment is reflected in how projects are approached—from engaging communities early to creating local employment opportunities and prioritizing partnerships with Indigenous-owned businesses and contractors whenever possible.

Radium North also recognizes the importance of supporting long-term economic participation and community development, ensuring that its involvement creates lasting benefits rather than short-term impacts.

The Importance of Trust

When asked why these partnerships matter, Radium North's answer is simple: trust.

Strong relationships are built through respect, consistency, and a willingness to listen. The company values the knowledge and perspectives Indigenous communities bring and strives to ensure its work reflects the people and places connected to each project. These relationships extend beyond individual projects and are viewed as long-term commitments that help shape the company's culture and operations.

Advice for Other Employers

For employers looking to strengthen relationships with Indigenous workers and communities, Radium North emphasizes one key lesson: start by listening.

Meaningful partnerships take time to develop. They require organizations to show up consistently, honour commitments, and approach relationships with respect and authenticity. By doing so, employers can build trust and create the foundation for lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Moving Forward Together

As we recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day, stories like Radium North's remind us that creating inclusive workplaces is an ongoing journey. Through intentional action, meaningful partnerships, and a commitment to learning, employers can help create opportunities that strengthen both workplaces and communities.

At CLAC, we're proud to work alongside signatory contractors like Radium North who are helping build a more inclusive future for the skilled trades.

About Radium North

Radium North is an Indigenous-owned contractor based in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and a CLAC signatory employer. The company provides industrial services while prioritizing workforce development, community partnerships, and meaningful opportunities for Indigenous workers and businesses.