Business View Magazine - April 2024

(PBGOC), A2SKI prides itself on being a modern industrial powerhouse, catering to a wide variety of construction services within the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PCBN), the province of Saskatchewan, and western Canada. A 100% First Nations-owned company, A2SKI understands its role in the Indigenous community, sponsoring local apprenticeship programs and empowering local workers to join the trades. But the company also represents a remarkable liaison to non-Indigenous companies, where strong bonds are forged. The company is driven by its key partnerships and aware of its critical link to the strength of the local economy. A NETWORK OF PARTNERS The company is spearheaded by a star-studded leadership group, beginning with Gary Merasty, CEO of A2SKI Industrial and the Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies.The PBGOC umbrella stretches far and wide, compromising three wholly owned entities – A2SKI industrial, fuel and retail, and property–plus a dedication to major investments (from the 30% to 40% range) and minor investments (10% or less). “We’re probably one of the larger First Nation groups of companies in the province,” says Merasty. “When you all land, it’s approximately 40 individual business units, with approximately 250-plus employees and a footprint from Manitoba,Alberta, and Saskatchewan.” PBGOC is a massive operation, and A2SKI Industrial stands out as one of its brightest and most successful stars. A2SKI manages and partakes in many significant construction projects, including the McIlvenna Bay copper and zinc mine, which involved a groundbreaking partnership between PCBN and Foran Mining Corporation beginning in 2023. “That’s the most significant work that we have at the copper mine, but it’s not necessarily all of it,” says A2SKI President Craig Skaros. “A2SKI is relatively young in its age, but with these partnerships that we’re bringing along, it allows us to go all over.” That’s what makes A2SKI such an indispensable resource in Saskatchewan and beyond. While the company specializes in concrete, earthworks, 97 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 04 A2SKI INDUSTRIAL