Meaningful Partnerships Help Indigenous Communities Grow, Lead and Succeed in Critical Sectors

Calian’s commitment to Indigenous engagement is rooted in a core belief: true reconciliation is built on relationships, not checklists. 

Guided by our pillars of listening, learning and leveraging, we regularly consult with Indigenous communities, suppliers and partners across Canada to build long-term collaborations—creating shared opportunities that open doors to empowerment and generational impact.  

Creating Opportunities for Indigenous Success

Access to government contracts can provide Indigenous businesses with powerful opportunities—from business growth and community reinvestment to sustainable employment, broader economic participation and more.  

In 2021, the federal government recognized this potential, mandating that at least five percent of procurement contract values be awarded to Indigenous-owned businesses.  

But, according to the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, barriers persist. To date, underrepresentation in supply chains, complex procurement processes, and limited access to highly specialized industries prevent full participation by smaller Indigenous organizations. 

Recognizing this gap and in alignment with the principles outlined in TRC Call to Action 92, Calian has intensified its efforts in recent years to foster Indigenous relationships grounded in collaboration, with the creation of meaningful opportunities across all facets of its business.  

Indigenous Partnerships to Build Something Better

Calian’s dedication to Indigenous engagement is evident in dynamic partnerships that deliver sustainable and long-term benefits. 

A strong example of this commitment has been Calian’s support of Lucas Miller, a Red River Métis entrepreneur and consultant. Miller began consulting for Calian in 2023, leveraging his expertise in organizational development and workforce transformation. That work has since evolved into a shared commitment to advancing Indigenous business participation in key sectors. 

In 2024, Miller’s consulting firm, Talent Transformation Group Inc., purchased a majority ownership and control of DWP Solutions, a cybersecurity company previously owned by Calian. Miller is using DWP as an Indigenous community asset, with two of its goals being to help Indigenous professionals get through the hurdles of government contracting, and to develop programming for Indigenous skills development in the technology sector. DWP is already involving other Indigenous businesses and professionals in opportunities they previously couldn’t access, proving the benefits of this concept are far-reaching. 

What Indigenous Engagement Makes Possible

Calian’s work with Miller shows how Indigenous engagement creates ripple effects—opening doors for people, strengthening communities and building opportunities that extend far beyond any single project. 

“Relationships are the foundation of success,” says Miller. “Calian’s help has accelerated my ability to connect with the right people and open doors that would have taken years to do on my own.”  

DWP Solutions is building platforms for recruiting, training and subcontracting other Indigenous professionals. As a result, a growing number of Indigenous people are contributing to high-value projects in essential industries like defence and cybersecurity.  

Indigenous Participation as a Core Strategy

Calian’s reconciliation and Indigenous engagement strategy continues to advance through every interaction. A clear example is the integration of Indigenous participation as a core strategic element from the earliest stages of project bids, ensuring Indigenous voices guide project delivery from the outset. This approach reflects an ongoing commitment to learning and shared success. 

“It’s an exciting time,” Miller adds. “There is strong support from communities, governments and forward-thinking companies like Calian. Over the next five–10 years, Indigenous businesses across Canada will expand in both scale and capability, driving momentum in sectors such as defence and technology. The opportunities ahead are tremendous.” 

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