In the spirit of our long-standing commitment to engage with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, we are proud to announce the creation of a new Indigenous Relations Lead role at Challenger Geomatics. Building on our successful history of business partnerships and project work with Indigenous Peoples and on their lands, the new role will also focus on strengthening ties and adding value for our clients and partners such as growing local capacity and employment opportunities, utilizing Indigenous businesses and seeking out other opportunities for mutual benefit.
President Dave Thomson is thinking big, and has high expectations. “This dedicated new role at Challenger will champion the development of our Indigenous business and partnerships, and serve to further reinforce Challenger as a partner-of-choice for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, not only for survey, mapping and geomatics, but also as an ally and trusted advisor who understands a host of contemporary Indigenous challenges such as land claims, infrastructure development and more.”
Our Indigenous Relations Lead will also be entrusted with leadership in the ongoing development of Challenger’s company culture in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action for business and reconciliation. “It is our intent that the positive impact of this new role will go beyond strictly business objectives to foster awareness and respect for Indigenous culture, traditional knowledge, perspectives and values in who we are and how we operate as a company.”
Appointed as our Indigenous Relations Lead is Joe Iles, CLS, P.Eng., a Professional Land Surveyor and long-time Northerner. Joe is an active leader where the survey profession coincides with Indigenous community and economic development activities, and is currently Chair of the Aboriginal Liaison Committee for the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS). A natural rapport-builder, Joe has long-standing relationships with Indigenous Peoples and has demonstrated collaboration and commitment while embracing the opportunity to engage non-politically on many levels. Known for his respect of tradition, culture and diversity, Joe looks forward to building on his 30 years of experience and knowledge gained from working with Indigenous Peoples on a variety of projects. Having made his home in the Yukon for nearly 40 years, in his free time Joe enjoys being out on the land.
While our Indigenous Relations Lead will be travelling far and wide in his new role, Joe will be based out of Challenger’s North of 60 branch office located at 302 Jarvis Street, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2H2. Joe welcomes the opportunity to renew friendships and foster new relationships with Indigenous leaders, people and organizations, as well as other like-minded businesses and prospective partners. He can be contacted by phone at 867-668-6940.
