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Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

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Kenneth Atcheynum 2013-14

The Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation is pleased to provide the venue and sponsorship for the annual “Entrepreneurial Spirit Award”. This award is given to a First Nation entity that is a business, corporation, individual or First Nation that exemplifies forward movement and involvement to creating sustainable economic development for the First Nations of Saskatchewan.

It is an honor that we were able to present the third Entrepreneurial Spirit Award to Mr. Kenneth Atcheynum of McKenn Contracting Ltd. Kenneth Atcheynum is a member of Sweetgrass First Nation

McKenn Contracting began 5 years ago when Kenneth talked to local farmers surrounding the community of Sweetgrass to see what their needs were in the construction industry. He was able to get started with a rented caterpillar to do brushing and started work for local farmers as well as the Sweetgrass First Nation. His quality of work was impeccable and by the end of the first year of business he had received substantially more work so that he had to purchase his own caterpillar and back hoe. He was then able to fulfill contact work for SaskTel. This opened the door for further work and opened more opportunities for this First Nation Entrepreneur. Work with the City of North Battleford was secured and more man power was needed to complete the contracts. Kenneth was able to hire First Nation workers who were willing to learn. Again more equipment was required. He added a track hoe to his list of equipment. Kenneth’s work ethic was starting to be known and more work was being done with water and sewer in Red Pheasant and Sweetgrass First Nations. He continued to add to his equipment and was now in the process of acquiring a grader and gravel truck that would be needed to service the First Nation communities, as houses were being built and gravel was needed to be hauled to construct roadways. Kenneth has been able to keep all his equipment steadily working and is proud to have been able to employ several First Nation workers. Kenneth takes pride in his work and we are told that he goes the extra mile to ensure that the work is done with a friendly attitude in a very professional manner.

Kenneth is thankful for the support he has received from the First Nation communities. It is important that the First Nation community celebrate our own. It is important to raise the standard of business success within the First Nation provincial economy and it is important for us to recognize the hard work and devotion of these First Nation entrepreneurs.

On behalf of the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation Inc., it is with great pleasure and pride that the SIEF ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AWARD is presented to Mr. Kenneth Atcheynum. Thank you for your continued support and congratulations on your willingness to be a leader in creating First Nations success.

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