Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Bird Construction Inc. announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Marten Falls First Nation through the formation of Piinahzii Limited Partnership, a majority Indigenous‑owned partnership. The Partnership will work collaboratively on infrastructure projects within the community and the Marten Falls Traditional Territory.
The partnership intends to pursue community infrastructure opportunities that support both near-term needs and longer-term development objectives. The parties will work together to align planning, delivery, and local participation in a manner that reflects community values and supports sustainable outcomes.
“For years we have worked diligently to advance our community priorities,” said Chief Bruce Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation. “This partnership supports our commitment to building community infrastructure while advancing community readiness priorities that help our community prepare for the opportunities ahead. We have always said that building infrastructure must go hand in hand with building our people, our businesses, and our capacity. This partnership reflects that vision. We are confident that Bird is the right partner to support our readiness work and to help ensure our community is positioned to participate meaningfully, now and into the future.”
An important element of the partnership is its emphasis on community readiness and capacity building, recognizing that infrastructure development extends beyond construction alone. This includes strengthening local delivery capabilities, supporting workforce development, and creating pathways for Marten Falls members and Indigenous-owned businesses to participate through employment, training, and subcontracting opportunities as projects advance. The partnership builds on years of community-led planning and engagement and reflects a shared commitment to transparency, cooperation, and consensus-based governance, with the objective of delivering lasting community benefits over time.
“At Bird, we believe lasting partnerships start early, by listening, building trust, and investing in people,” said Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird Construction Inc. “We value the opportunity to partner with Marten Falls First Nation on an important step for the community and its future. This partnership is about working collaboratively on community infrastructure while supporting readiness initiatives that build skills, experience, and local capacity, creating clear pathways for Marten Falls members and businesses to participate meaningfully over the long term.”
Featured image: (L to R) Ontario Premier Doug Ford; Bruce Achneepineskum, Chief of Marten Falls First Nation; and Greg Rickford, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation sign a Community Partnership Agreement, Dec. 2025. (Government of Ontario)
