2026 Skookum Jim Award

Founded in 1991 by English River First Nation (ERFN), Des Nedhe Group (DNG) has grown from a grassroots community initiative into one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous-owned business enterprises. Over three decades, DNG has expanded into a network of 21 companies active in mining services, construction, land development, infrastructure, and professional services. This growth reflects a clear and enduring vision: to create sustainable wealth for ERFN members while demonstrating how Indigenous leadership can shape the future of Saskatchewan’s resource economy.

An early partnership with Cameco laid the foundation for Des Nedhe’s success, establishing a collaborative model that continues to shape Indigenous–industry relationships across Canada. Since then, DNG’s partnerships across Saskatchewan’s uranium and critical minerals sectors have generated more than $343 million in benefits for ERFN communities, creating employment, training, and procurement opportunities while funding land-based healing, cultural programs, and education initiatives that strengthen identity and well-being. By connecting northern expertise, industrial capacity, and community priorities, DNG has become a cornerstone of Indigenous participation in Saskatchewan’s mining and exploration ecosystem.

From some of the earliest Indigenous–industry partnerships in the country, DNG has built enduring relationships that continue to define excellence in resource development. Its long-term collaboration with Thyssen Mining, one of Canada’s first Indigenous mining partnerships, set the stage for a generation of Indigenous participation in underground mining and technical services. That legacy continues through companies such as Tron Construction & Mining, Mudjatik Enterprises, MISL, and JNE Welding, which together represent the depth and versatility of DNG’s industrial capability. Tron serves as a multi-trade general contractor and trusted partner for Saskatchewan’s major mining operations, employing and mentoring Indigenous workers across the North. MISL provides long-term civil and earth-moving support for Mosaic’s Belle Plaine and Colonsay operations, while JNE Welding is one of Saskatchewan’s leading steel fabricators, supporting Cameco, Denison, Nutrien, Mosaic, and BHP. These collaborations exemplify DNG’s commitment to long-term value creation, technical excellence, and shared prosperity.