Partnerships

What separates a relationship from a genuine partnership? Savanna believes that the difference lies in the depth and strength of the commitment involved. Over the years, Savanna has forged lasting partnerships with many Aboriginal communities. These relationships have been built on mutual trust, with Aboriginal communities participating both as investors and as valued employees. These partnerships are a key element of our business success and we're proud of the benefits they bring to all parties involved.

Since 2001, Savanna has worked closely with many key Aboriginal communities to develop and maintain strong business relationships. These relationships are genuine business partnerships that benefit Aboriginal communities, Savanna and our oil and gas producing customers.

Savanna is currently partnered with nine First Nations communities as follows:

This model brings Aboriginal communities into the western Canadian energy industry as meaningful players, not just financial participants. With a record of tangible achievement that no other service company can match, and a commitment to treating our First Nations partners as equals in every respect, Savanna is poised and determined to remain an industry leader in Aboriginal community relations. Working with these communities also provides Savanna with access to a large and capable labour force. Hiring of Aboriginal personnel is based on need, skills and merit, as with all Savanna employees, and Savanna offers a training program that helps to develop skills in all prospective employees, with a personal empowerment component for those individuals from our partner communities.

Our customers benefit by building productive relationships with communities on whose land they might be active, today or in the future, though co-owned rigs seldom operate on a partner community's land.

Several Aboriginal communities have also participated in Savanna on a corporate level. To date, Dene Tha' First Nation, Samson Cree Nation, Saddle Lake First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta have had significant shareholdings in Savanna through the Toronto Stock Exchange. 

It is gratifying that many Aboriginal communities choose to meet with Savanna to discuss the availability of future partnerships. Based on shared interest and oil and gas customers' support, we see considerable opportunity to expand this model and extend its benefits over other service lines in the coming years.