The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has launched Canada’s first Indigenous majority-owned professional services business.
Kitsaki Management, the economic arm of the band, launched R8dius on Wednesday as a majority stake holder.
Deloitte Canada has also partnered with the economic development firm in the company.
“R8dius represents a groundbreaking initiative that builds on our history of success in economic development,” said Kitsaki Management CEO Ron Hyggen, who also sits on the R8dius board of directors. “Together with Deloitte, we have thoughtfully designed R8diuos to platform for inclusion – a purposeful business venture that creates lasting impact by providing opportunities that directly support First Nations communities and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.”
The goal of the new business will be to “widen the citcle: ti expand horizons and opportunities for Indigenous people in professional spaces.
According to Kitsaki officials there will be a with a focus on STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math.)
Officials say less then 4% of Indigenous people on reserves have gone into STEM fields and STEM education in Indigenous communities is less than half the rate of the Canadian population.
They hope R8dius will help curb that trend.
Kitsaki also says a technology business like R8dius has yet to be introduced at this scale in corporate Canada and they hope it will meet the growing market demand for innovative Indigenous-led technology services.