Alberta First Nation Security Company seeks out ABS, forms Partnership

September 1, 2017 in News
Explorer: Fall 2017

Athabasca Basin Security (ABS) and Alberta’s One Face Security signed a partnership agreement on August 1st to provide security services in southern Alberta. One Face Security, a company owned by a Tsuut’ina First Nations member, will continue to operate and grow in the local area under its current name, while ABS will provide management expertise and training to help grow the company.

One Face Security founder, Warren Crowchild, will remain with the company as General Manager of Operations. Crowchild approached Athabasca Basin Security with a proposal after researching the company. “ABS has an excellent track record in business servicing some of the country’s top companies,” says Crowchild. “What really made them stand out to me is that they are not just focused on the dollars, but they also have a strong commitment to First Nations communities. I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with another excellent Indigenous company to provide meaningful employment for First Nations people in my community and beyond.”

Xakiji (Chief) Lee Crowchild, Chief of Tsuut’ina First Nation, endorsed the partnership. “I feel this agreement is the right move for Warren and his company, because it will help One Face Security to grow,” said Chief Crowchild. “The partnership is a win for both sides and also for the people in our community through the meaningful employment opportunities that will be generated as a result of this partnership.”

Athabasca Basin Security has provided security services to industrial and mine site security since 2002. The company is 100% owned by Athabasca Basin Development, which is in turn owned by the seven communities in Northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin region.

“We take great pride in providing top-tier service to our clients, as well as providing economic benefits and meaningful career opportunities with transferrable skills for Indigenous people,” says Ron Hyggen, CEO of ABS. “One Face Security has similar values and goals as we do, so this partnership is a natural fit with us. I look forward to working with Warren and his team and growing this excellent security company.”

This joint venture represents the third expansion in the past year and is one of several successful partnerships ABS has with First Nations across the prairies. In 2015, ABS partnered with local First Nations through Kawacatoose Daystar Muskowekwan (KDM) Business Development Corporation, for the training and employment of band members to provide security services for BHP Billiton’s Jansen Potash project. ABS partnered with Pasqua First Nation in 2016 to service K + S Potash and other contracts in the local area. In January 2017, ABS acquired All Peace Security in Grande Prairie, AB, a security company that had successful long-standing partnerships with four local First Nations. ABS also recently partnered with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc (Kamploops Indian Band) to provide security and other services for the transmountain expansion project for Kinder Morgan.

“We seem to have found a model that works well for both us and our partners and clients,” says Hyggen, “So far, we have made a positive and meaningful impact with our partner communities, while providing a service that is second to none, and I’m very proud of this. We are hoping to continue working with other groups in the future and are open to considering partnerships in regions throughout the country.”