The Metlakatla First Nation has thrown its hat into the logistics ring, creating a new joint with two established companies in the transportation sector.
The new company is called Gat Leedm LLP, with Gat Leedm meaning "strength" in the native tounge of the Metlakatla,and includes a joint venture between Metlakatla, Williams Moving and Storage and Island Tug & Barge.
The company will be comprised of two branches, each offering a different service. Gat Leeedm Logistics LLP is comprised of the Metlakatla Band and Williams Moving and Storage to provide over-land transportation, while Gat Leedm Marine Services will be made up of the Metlakatla Band and Island Tug & Barge to offer transport over sea.
According to Williams Moving and Storage, the catalyst behind the creation of Gat Leedm LLP is the amount of work available and how that work is being made available. The company says that a lot of the work is made only available to aboriginal bands, but many cannot service the contracts due to a lack of resources and infrastructure.
"This is a huge opportunity for all parties involved. With all the recent changes and development in northern BC, and all the large scale projects scheduled to take place in the years to come, Williams Moving and Storage could not be more excited about what the future will bring," said a statement from the company.