From its roots in forestry to its current position as one of Canada’s leading Indigenous-owned construction and resource-sector enterprises, Duz Cho Group’s story is one of growth, unity, and community-driven ambition. Headquartered in Tse’khene territory in northeastern British Columbia, Duz Cho is 100 per cent owned by McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB). Over the years, it has evolved into a diversified group of companies delivering heavy civil construction, earthworks, road and dam building, site services, and environmental and maintenance scopes for clients in mining, energy, and oil and gas.
“Duz Cho is a group of Indigenous-owned companies based in Tse’khene territory,” says Chief Executive Officer Jacob Albertson. “Over decades, Duz Cho has grown from forestry roots into one of Canada’s larger Indigenous business groups, delivering heavy civil construction, earthworks, road and dam building, site services, and resource-sector support, plus environmental and maintenance scopes.”
A major milestone in the company’s journey was the unification of Duz Cho Logging LP and Duz Cho Construction LP. This strategic move simplified the corporate structure, eliminated overlap, and presented a single, integrated delivery team to clients and Nation partners.
“We unified the two entities to simplify structure, reduce overlap, and present one integrated delivery team,” says Albertson. “Benefits include a single safety and system standard across all projects, streamlined estimating and project controls, optimized use of assets and crews, and a clear, unified brand in the market. It also creates more mobility and training opportunities for our people.”
The merger reinforced Duz Cho’s reputation for efficiency and excellence, while ensuring that growth continues to translate directly into value for the McLeod Lake Indian Band and its members. MLIB ownership remains central to how Duz Cho defines success.
“Ownership by MLIB anchors our long-term vision in Nation prosperity, employment, supplier development, and environmental stewardship,” says Albertson. “We prioritize training and careers for MLIB members and partner Nations, practice partnership-first procurement, and choose projects that balance economic value with environmental and community benefit.”
That commitment to people and place recently earned the company the 2024 Employer of the Year from the Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of stable employment, strong safety culture, apprenticeships, local hiring, and giving back through sponsorships and volunteerism. “Being named Employer of the Year recognizes our people-first culture and community involvement,” says Albertson.
One of Duz Cho’s most illustrative ventures is its partnership with Saulteau First Nations through the co-ownership of North Wind Supplies in Chetwynd. The business was born from a shared vision to strengthen local supply chains and expand Indigenous ownership in the industrial sector. “Our partnership with Saulteau First Nations to co-own North Wind Supplies was driven by a shared goal to localize industrial supply chains and create long-term Indigenous business ownership,” says Albertson. “The store provides industrial supplies, PPE, tools, and small-engine services to regional clients while generating local employment and reinvestment.”
He adds that North Wind Supplies serves as a model for Nation-to-Nation collaboration. “It demonstrates how Indigenous partners can co-own, operate, and grow sustainable enterprises beyond project contracting. It reflects Duz Cho’s long-term commitment to shared equity, capacity building, and strengthening Indigenous economic sovereignty.”
This model of collaborative entrepreneurship underscores Duz Cho’s broader philosophy of Indigenous economic development. The company’s approach extends beyond project participation, focusing instead on lasting prosperity and skill development for Indigenous communities.
“Duz Cho’s approach to Indigenous economic development is centered on building long-term, sustainable business capacity within First Nations communities,” Albertson explains. “Rather than focusing solely on short-term project participation, we work collaboratively with Nations to help them create businesses and opportunities that generate lasting employment, revenue, and skill development for their communities.”
That philosophy of partnership and shared decision-making defines how Duz Cho engages with communities across the region. “We believe strong partnerships begin with mutual respect, shared decision-making, and equitable ownership structures,” Albertson says. “By combining local knowledge, Nation priorities, and Duz Cho’s operational expertise, we help Indigenous communities access new sectors, diversify their economies, and reduce reliance on seasonal or project-based work.”
The company’s leadership in nation building extends into the energy transition. As part of the Tse’khene Energy Transition Hub (TETH)—the largest On-Reserve clean energy project in Canadian history—Duz Cho plays a key role in site development, logistics, and infrastructure delivery.
“As part of the largest On-Reserve clean energy project in Canadian history, Duz Cho supports site development, logistics, and infrastructure delivery,” says Albertson. “Our teams bring decades of experience in major civil and resource projects, helping to ensure TETH’s success through safe, efficient, and community-driven execution. By investing in this project, Duz Cho not only supports site development, we have become a major influence and partner in this project.”
TETH represents the future of energy in northern communities, and Duz Cho is helping ensure that the transition is both sustainable and community-led. “TETH will redefine energy opportunities for northern communities by anchoring clean energy value chains locally,” Albertson says. “Indigenous leadership ensures that projects reflect community priorities, environmental care, and local economic growth. It demonstrates that true sustainability includes Indigenous participation and governance at every stage.”
Looking ahead, Duz Cho is preparing for a new chapter of expansion and impact. Over the next five years, the company will continue to strengthen its civil and maintenance divisions while deepening its role in energy and infrastructure development.
“Over the next five years, Duz Cho will focus on growing our heavy civil and maintenance divisions, supporting the TETH project and other regional developments, expanding apprenticeship and training programs, strengthening partnerships through ventures like North Wind Supplies, and advancing environmental and community-focused performance across all operations,” says Albertson.
For more information, visit www.duzcho.com.
