History
Our History
Primco Dene was founded in 1999, with the started goal of taking advantage of the opportunities created by the oilsands development in the Cold Lake First Nations traditional territory.
Starting with fifty employees, we began by capitalizing on the skills that already existed in our community, such as catering and janitorial services. Our close relationships with our clients allowed us to find ways in which we could extend our capabilities to fulfill needs. Expanding beyond oilfield services, we added consumer franchises and business support services, becoming a company with a solution built around the dynamic needs of a vast majority of individuals and businesses in our region and beyond.
Our Founders
Today Primco Dene has over 800 employees across 19 companies, representing fifty aboriginal communities across Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C, as well as ethnicities from across the world. We are partnered with other organizations and First Nations groups on joint ventures, operating in industries from oilfield services to soil remediation. We continue to add new companies to our Group by taking advantage of opportunities and creating valuable partnerships.
JUDY NEST
At the time of founding, Judy Nest was the Economic Development Coordinator with Cold Lake First Nations.
WILMA JACKNIFE
Wilma Jacknife has received her Doctorate of Law and continues to serve as a Director.
JAMES BLACKMAN
The youngest-ever person elected to Cold Lake First Nations Council.
Founding Board Members
Late Elder Ralph Blackman
Gordon Piche
Ray Muskego
James Blackman
Judy Nest
Timeline
1999
- Primco Dene established and name changed to Primco Dene Ltd.
2000
- Primco Dene Catering Ltd. is established
- Primco Dene (EMS) LP established
2001
- Primco Dene Catering Ltd. name changed to Primco Dene Ltd.
- Land purchased near Walmart in Cold Lake
2002
- Primco Dene Catering Corporation established (partnered with Great West Catering – let known as Compass/ESS)
- Primco Dene (EMS) Ltd. established
2003
- First Lubex opened in Cold Lake South
- Seven Lakes Oilfield established
2004
- Partnership with Royal Camp Services to form Primco Dene Royal Camp Services (PDRC)
2006
- Primco Dene LP established
- Primco Dene Catering LP established
- Primco Commercial LP established
2007
- PDRC changed name to Primco Dene Royal Camp Services LP
- Purchased 5 tanks at the UFA station
2008
- Meadow Lake Tribal Council Acknowledgement
- Hosted 1st Annual Primco Dene Christmas Dinner & Dance
2009
- Primco Dene Security Services established
- Built commercial property on land that was purchased in 2001
- Primco Dene Canada North established
2010
- Wok Box purchased via Primco Commercial LP and opened in commercial property near Walmart in Cold Lake south
- James Blackman, CEO, nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
2011
- Edmonton satellite office opens
2012
- Construction begins for Primco Dene Business Centre on Cold Lake First Nations
- Primco Dene Northgate Industries LP established
- Recipient of Alberta Chamber of Commerce Partnership Award
2013
- Received the Aboriginal Role Model Community Development Award
- Primco Dene Bee-Clean Ltd. established
- Primco Dene Business Centre Grand Opening
2014
- Dene Tech GP Ltd. established
- Purchased land in Lac La Biche and Bonnyville
2015
- Finalist in Canada Oil & Gas CSR Award
- Recipient of Global Petroleum Show Award
- Cold Lake Crane established as a result of a partnership with NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul and Primco Dene Ltd.
- Jiffy Lube Bonnyville Grand Opening
- Cold/Bonn Glassworks purchased via Primco Commercial LP
2016
- Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce Business of they Year Nomination
- Tu Nezu Remediation Services established as a joint venture with Fog Free Technologies
- Jiffy Lube North Grand Opening
- Astec Safety Bonnyville, Beaver River Gas Bar and Lakeland Fireword purchased via Primco Commercial LP
- Purchased land in Cold Lake north
- Purchased building in Bonnyville with Seven Lakes Oilfield
2017
- Papa John’s and Memphis Blues purchased via Primco Commercial LP
- Saskatchewan Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation Partnership
- Purchased Comec building in Bonnyville
2018
- Beaver River Gas Bar Groundbreaking
Success Throughout The Years
Primco Dene will be celebrating our 20th anniversary come 2019, and throughout our 20-year history, we have built an industry-leading Indigenous business while serving clients of all sizes.
100+
completed projects/contracts for various industry clients
$18,000
contributed to the U of A Indigenous Community Relations Program
48%
of our workforce is represented by women
Building
Opportunity
Contact Us
Do you have questions about Primco Dene? Contact us now.
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday – 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Closed on lunch hours, statutory holidays and weekends.
We’d like to acknowledge that we are on Treaty 6 Territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place and travelling to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis”, Denesųłiné, Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Metis and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.
