The Musqueam First Nations community and Ocean Group have signed a collaborative framework agreement to foster marine sector opportunities within Musqueam territory and potentially beyond.
This agreement, signed in January 2023, provides for commitments that will prioritize economic and social benefits for the Musqueam community, and contracting opportunities for Ocean Group. This includes capacity development initiatives leading to career opportunities for Musqueam members both on the water, and ashore.
The first such initiative involved the training of five Musqueam members as Bridgewatch persons/ Deckhands, in collaboration with the Marine Campus of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
The successful participants are now undertaking an onboard internship, and eventual placement with Ocean Group.
In terms of other inclusive strategies, Ocean Group has committed to a fuel supply agreement with Nation Clean Energy Inc., another Musqueam partner. This includes the supply of low carbon renewable fuel products.
Ocean Group is seeking to establish further lasting, meaningful, and successful business relationships with other Coastal First Nations, using similar collaborative Framework Agreements.
(Photo from Ocean Group)
