The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is one of Canada’s most resource-rich and strategically vital regions. Encompassing Fort McMurray and its surrounding communities, RMWB serves as the engine room of Alberta’s oil sands and natural resource development. But beyond its economic weight, this region is also home to diverse Indigenous communities and a growing movement toward inclusive, partnership-driven growth.

Leading this evolution is the Willow Lake Métis Group (WLMG)—a fully Indigenous-owned company committed to delivering industry excellence, workforce empowerment, and regional sustainability through its operations in Wood Buffalo and beyond.

Willow Lake Métis Group: A Catalyst for Regional Collaboration

WLMG is proudly based in the heart of the Wood Buffalo region, with strong roots in the Willow Lake Métis Nation. By uniting economic development with cultural identity, WLMG creates pathways for:

• Local job creation and skilled employment

• Indigenous participation in key industries

• Sustainable project development

• Community reinvestment and prosperity

From energy services and construction to workforce logistics and maintenance, WLMG delivers value-driven solutions for clients operating in Wood Buffalo.

A Strategic Partnership with GrizzlyTrek: Scaling Opportunity Across Northern Alberta

In a move that signals bold progress, WLMG recently entered a strategic partnership with GrizzlyTrek Group, an Indigenous-owned and operated firm specializing in workforce solutions and industrial services. This collaboration expands WLMG’s ability to:

• Provide skilled labour solutions across the energy and construction sectors

• Deliver turnkey staffing, recruitment, and project support

• Support large-scale industrial projects with safe, reliable, and efficient execution

• Enhance economic participation of Indigenous workers across the RMWB and Northern Alberta

Together, WLMG and GrizzlyTrek are building a scalable, culturally aligned solution for industries operating in one of Canada’s most challenging and opportunity-rich environments.

RMWB: Where Industry and Indigenous Innovation Intersect

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is home to some of the largest oil sands operations in the world, including:

• SAGD and open-pit oil production

• Pipeline infrastructure

• Upgraders and refining facilities

• Utilities and power generation

• Environmental remediation and land management

These industries demand highly skilled contractors, service providers, and workforce partners who understand the regional terrain, operate with cultural respect, and prioritize long-term value. WLMG answers that demand with:

• Deep regional knowledge

• Indigenous cultural intelligence

• Proven industrial capacity

• Commitment to sustainable growth

Community-Driven Development with Lasting Impact

Unlike many traditional contractors, WLMG reinvests its success directly into the community. Revenue generated through projects in the RMWB contributes to:

• Elders' programs and youth support

• Cultural revitalization and language preservation

• Education, housing, and healthcare access

• Skills training and apprenticeship development

By partnering with WLMG, industry leaders not only meet operational goals—they also participate in building a resilient, inclusive regional future.

Labour, Logistics, and Maintenance Support Across the RMWB

In partnership with GrizzlyTrek and other Indigenous-led service providers, WLMG offers comprehensive project support across the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, including:

• Turnaround and maintenance planning

• Field staffing and trade deployment

• Remote site logistics and workforce housing

• Civil construction and site services

• Matting, access, and vegetation control

These services are backed by rigorous safety programs, COR-certified operations, and trained Indigenous professionals committed to excellence.

Shaping the Future of Regional Procurement and Economic Inclusion

WLMG plays an active role in helping industry clients meet their ESG, Indigenous procurement, and community engagement goals. Our operations align with the RMWB’s priorities of:

• Responsible resource development

• Economic diversification

• Indigenous economic inclusion

• Environmental stewardship

Through strategic partnerships and forward-looking collaboration, we are helping redefine what sustainable, regionally-aligned contracting looks like in Wood Buffalo.

Partner with Purpose in the RMWB

If your company is operating in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and looking for a partner who combines industrial strength with Indigenous insight, Willow Lake Métis Group is ready to deliver. Our partnerships, like the one with GrizzlyTrek, ensure access to the workforce, resources, and values needed to succeed in this high-performance environment.

Build your next project with a partner who understands the land, honours the people, and meets your business objectives.