FNESL’s Story – FNESL – First Nations Engineering Services Ltd.

The FNESL Team in 2005

FNESL was created to support the strength, self-determination, and future prosperity of Indigenous communities. Guided by respect for the land, the water, and the generations to come, we work alongside First Nations to design and deliver engineering solutions that uphold community values, protect the environment, and build lasting capacity. Our purpose is to blend technical excellence with cultural understanding — respecting Indigenous leadership in every project we undertake with our First Nations clients.

Our work with municipalities follows the same principles of respect for the people, the land, and the organizations that make up the community, assessing the project needs with integrity and an eye to the future.

Kevin L. Martin, a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River, founded FNESL in 1995, hiring Craig Baker as General manager and head engineer. By this time, Kevin and Craig had a wealth of experience providing technical services to Indigenous communities across Canada. FNESL has always sought to be a launch pad for Indigenous technical professional’s careers – a number of our engineers and designers over the years joined the FNESL team as co-op students and have either stayed with the company or moved on to serve in First Nations, Tribal Councils, various levels of government and launch their own businesses.

Over the past 30 years, FNESL has had the honour of serving many First Nations in Ontario, as well as a number in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and First Nation organizations across Canada. We have completed work for The County of Brant, City of Brantford, City of Hamilton, York Region, … others?

Our work has helped to end more than a dozen long-term boil water advisories and bring safe, potable water to thousands of homes. Our projects have helped to protect built and natural environments through management of wastewater and solid waste. We have assisted in providing appropriate learning spaces through the development of new and renovated schools. We have designed safe and resilient infrastructure in support of much-needed housing developments, and served as a trusted advisor on many infrastructure planning studies.

FNESL Senior Leadership

Justin Gee, P.Eng., MCIP RPP

Craig Baker, P.Eng.

Stephen Reddin, P.Eng.

Taylor Martin, J.D.