Co-Founder & Partner
Sydney McKay
A proud member of Cumberland House Cree Nation and a fluent Swampy Cree speaker, Sydney brings more than 40 years of experience in governance and business development.
Neechi-Wâgan Group of Companies
Partnership for thriving, self-sustaining First Nations communities.
A 100% Indigenous-owned partnership founded by Vincent Jonasson and Sydney McKay. Expert advice, governance support, and on-the-ground execution — without the conflicts of interest that have hurt communities in the past.
Cumberland House, SK · Wikimedia / CC
Our Mission
Our goal is to partner with First Nationsin working towards creating thriving, self-sustaining communities.
Year after year, we have watched Indigenous communities across this country be approached by companies that serve outside interests far more than they serve the community. We have seen trust broken, opportunities exploited, and good people left behind.
Neechi-Wâgan was founded to combat these discrepancies—empowering Indigenous communities with expert knowledge, strategic guidance, and hands-on execution for the objective of development, sustainability, and self-determination.
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What we do
Full service — we don't just advise, we deliver.
Six services and four subcompanies, working together under the Neechi-Wâgan group. From proposal review through to on-site execution.
Service · 01
Proposal Review & Independent Analysis
Unbiased assessment of proposals reaching First Nations from outside parties — clarity on what is being offered, and what it really means for your community.
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Service · 02
Strategic Advisory for Major Projects
Steady, considered counsel for the most consequential decisions a community will make — backed by decades of governance and industry experience.
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Service · 03
Governance & Capacity Building
Working alongside leadership to strengthen the internal systems that let a community lead its own development for the long term.
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Trust is earned by being in the community before the project starts, and staying after it ends.
Sydney McKay · Co-Founder & Partner
Our Team
Indigenous-led, at every level.
Founded and led by people who come from the communities we serve, with decades of governance, business, and construction experience between them.
Co-Founder & Partner
Vincent Jonasson
A proud member of Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake Band of Indians) in Northern Manitoba, Vincent began his professional career in construction at an early age.
Director of Operations
Ian Atkinson
With a seasoned background in construction, Ian brings decades of extensive management and field experience to every project.
Why Neechi-Wâgan
Six reasons First Nations choose us.
i.
100% Indigenous owned & led
Founded and operated by Indigenous people, accountable to Indigenous communities. The decisions about who we work with, how we work, and what we say no to are made by the partners themselves.
ii.
Proven track record
Our partners bring decades of experience across governance, government, and industry. Roles with Cumberland House Cree Nation, Swampy Cree Tribal Council, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Iceland Concrete, and more. The relationships are deep and the receipts are long.
iii.
Full-service group
We don't just advise, we deliver. From the first proposal review through to on-site construction, the work stays inside the group. Iceland Industrial closes the loop between the boardroom and the build site.
iv.
Community-first values
Your interests always come first. We set ourselves to the highest standard to ensure you're receiving service that is genuine and meaningful. We prioritize your needs, never seeking to maximize our own engagement.
v.
Independent, unbiased advice
No conflicts, no compromises. We do not work for the proposing party. There are no contingent fees with the company across the table. The advice is ours, and the loyalty is to the community paying for it.
vi.
Capacity & connections
Forty years of relationships across governance, industry, government, and the trades. When the right person is needed at the table, not only can we find them—we know them.
Get in touchWorking on a project that
Working on a project that
matters to your community?
Reach out to us directly by sending a short note through the contact form, or send an email to Ian Atkinson, our Director of Operations.