SCO-led app Miikahnah Connect links Indigenous workers to labour demand

As Jay Sanderson turned to face his job site, evidence of his work stared back — plywood replacing windows at the former Hudson’s Bay Co. flagship store downtown.

Lately, he’s been in the basement.

He’s working with several First Nations members on the construction of Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s revamp of the old Bay site.

Construction on the facility — which will include housing and a childcare centre, among other things— is slated for another two-and-a-half years, according to SCO’s grand chief.

In the meantime, a platform the SCO created to connect Indigenous workers with construction jobs at Wehwehneh has ballooned. The online portal — called Miikahnah Connect — is now being used to link workers to construction sites throughout the province. Most of the 1,278 job seekers are Indigenous.

“Miikahnah guys, I like when they work under us,” Sanderson said during his lunch break. “The personalities of the guys (are) just awesome.”

He’s been working with labourers hired through Miikahnah Connect, demolishing blocks in the Bay’s basement. Some of the workers, if successful, may join him on staff at 204 Demolition and Salvage Ltd.

The company has used Miikahnah Connect over the past year to meet Indigenous inclusion contract requirements and to find new workers. It counts seven active employees through Miikahnah Connect, said Melissa Burgess, 204 Demolition’s office manager.

“I’m a huge fan of anything that will help people find meaningful employment,” she said. “For us, it’s a great way to try out an employee before making a full-on offer of employment.”

She expects 204 Demolition will hire several of the labourers.

The company posts jobs through Miikahnah, seeking those who can use tools such as a saw or grinder. Staff receiving applications through the platform check applicants’ years of experience, certifications, days available and ratings given by other companies on Miikahnah Connect.

Around 22 companies have profiles. There hasn’t been “anything alarming” with ratings, said Peter Symchuk, the platform’s co-founder.

He’s acting director of economic development for the Southern Chiefs Economic Development Corp., the SCO’s arms-length for-profit company. It oversees Miikahnah Connect.

Someone might fall in their rating — which is on a scale up to 10 — if they’re a no-show, Symchuk said.

He, a colleague and a developer began work on Miikahnah Connect two years ago.

“When we first started, we were told, ‘You have to think of something to get a bunch of workers (for Wehwehneh),’” Symchuk said. “Now we’ve gotten to the point where we’ve gotten … over 1,200 workers and climbing.

“I’m proud of it.”

Initially, Miikahnah Connect was meant for Indigenous workers.

The unemployment rate for Indigenous people in Manitoba hit 9.6 per cent last year. The rate nearly doubles that of non-Indigenous unemployment, according to federal data.

Indigenous participation reached 77 per cent of Wehwehneh’s workforce by the end of February 2025, Symchuk’s latest annual report says.

SCO has opened its platform to non-Indigenous workers to meet labour demand.

It tracks representation and work attendance. Members of 63 First Nations have profiles; SCO encompasses 33 First Nations. There are also 86 non-Indigenous users and 34 Métis.

Word of mouth seems to have spread about the online tool, Symchuk said. “A lot of companies were reaching out to us that were bidding on contracts that required Indigenous engagement.”

As a result, the platform is being used on various job sites. Wescan Construction Services hired people for work on hospitals in Portage la Prairie and Neepawa.

Many of the hires didn’t work out because of the commute, a spokesperson said. However, candidates called Indigenous relatives near the sites, and the relatives got jobs. Some stayed on with Wescan once the projects wrapped.

SCO pays labourers through Miikahnah Connect. It sends invoices to businesses employing the workers.

Symchuk aims to grow the tool and make it a business. He estimates he’s pitched the platform to 50 different groups.

The Forks has been receptive: it’s introduced the service to developers of Railside at The Forks, spokesman Adam Dooley said.

“(We) have encouraged them to use it if it fits their needs,” he wrote in a statement. “We’re actively encouraging more Indigenous employment through The Forks both directly and indirectly.”

Major public projects in Manitoba — costing $50 million or more — will likely have Indigenous representation components through the new Manitoba Jobs Agreement.

“There’s quite a number of different federal, provincial projects that we think we can be involved in a meaningful way,” SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said. “If you look at the socioeconomic indicators for First Nations, we’re at the margins of society. We have to create solutions.

“Creating employment, and on the job training, are huge contributors to changing that scenario.”

Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn’s construction is roughly 35 per cent complete, Daniels said. Crews are working on framing.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com