Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Supporting Indigenous Workers: Lessons from ThunderClaw

We're celebrating organizations that are helping create respectful, inclusive, and opportunity-focused workplaces across the skilled trades.

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ThunderClaw Industrial Services is a CLAC-signatory contractor based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Through strong partnerships with Indigenous communities, a culture of mentorship and respect, and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous workers, ThunderClaw is demonstrating what reconciliation can look like in action—building capacity, strengthening relationships, and creating lasting opportunities on and off the jobsite.

When people talk about reconciliation, it's often in broad terms. But on the jobsite, reconciliation becomes something much more practical.

It looks like experienced workers sharing their knowledge. It looks like leaders taking the time to mentor the next generation. It looks like partnerships built on trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities that last long after a project is complete.

For Jaylene Thunder, General Manager of FLFN Ventures Ltd., that's what reconciliation in action means.

"It's about building capacity within Indigenous communities," says Jaylene. "Employment opportunities are important, but it's about much more than creating jobs. It's about forming meaningful partnerships where experienced leaders work alongside Indigenous employees—mentoring, sharing knowledge, and helping build the skills, confidence, and leadership needed for long-term success."

FLFN Ventures and ThunderClaw Industrial Services have built their partnership around that philosophy. Rather than focusing only on today's workforce needs, they're investing in the people who will lead tomorrow.

Together, the organizations have created a workplace where Indigenous employees are supported, encouraged, and given opportunities to grow.

"Manny and his team have built a culture where everyone feels valued," says Jaylene. "Their open-door approach encourages mentorship, communication, and growth. Together, we're building skills, developing leadership, and strengthening capacity for long-term success."

That focus on people reflects ThunderClaw's broader approach to business. The Saskatchewan-based industrial contractor emphasizes collaboration, safety, accountability, and long term relationships with both clients and communities.

For Jaylene, strong partnerships aren't simply good business—they're essential to building stronger communities.

"The strongest projects are built through collaboration," she says. "Indigenous partnerships create shared value, bring diverse perspectives, and ensure economic opportunities benefit communities for generations."

She believes Indigenous Nations are an increasingly important part of Canada's economy, and that organizations willing to invest in authentic relationships will see benefits that extend well beyond a single project.

"By investing in people, building capacity, and creating opportunities within our communities, everyone succeeds," she says.

That long term thinking also shapes the advice she offers to other employers looking to strengthen relationships with Indigenous workers and communities.

"My biggest piece of advice is to focus on mentorship and building capacity," she says. "Don't just create jobs—create pathways for Indigenous people to grow into leadership roles."

She encourages organizations to take the time to understand the communities they work alongside, build genuine partnerships, and remain accountable to the commitments they make.

"Trust takes time," Jaylene says. "But when you invest in people and work together, the benefits extend far beyond one project—they strengthen communities for generations."

Reconciliation isn't a destination. It's an ongoing commitment expressed through everyday actions: sharing knowledge, creating opportunity, and ensuring Indigenous communities have the tools and support to lead their own success.

Partnerships like the one between FLFN Ventures and ThunderClaw demonstrate what can happen when organizations move beyond good intentions and invest in people, relationships, and the future.

Supporting Indigenous Workers: Lessons from ThunderClaw

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