The ground we stand on

Our work begins with the land, the people who care for it, and the relationships that guide how we build.

The James Gang Drummers are a group from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) in Alberta, Canada
The James Gang Drummers from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) in Alberta, Canada, performing at a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. CSV worked with AWN in the construction of our Karr facility.

Working with respect for the land and its peoples

Before any project begins, before a survey stake goes in the ground or a weld is made, we start by paying attention to where we are.

This land has its own rhythm. You can feel it when the frost comes early or when a thaw reveals last year’s tracks. You can hear it in the wind that moves through the valleys and across the fields north of Grande Prairie, and you can see it in the rivers that have shaped both industry and community. These are places that have sustained life, work, and story for generations.

At CSV, awareness of place comes first. We are builders by trade, and the ground we build on carries the footsteps and teachings of Indigenous peoples whose connection to these lands continues today. Their care and stewardship have shaped the strength and richness of the regions where we work.

We recognize that we are guests on land shaped by generations of First Nations, Métis, and other Indigenous peoples. Their histories, teachings, and stewardship form the foundation of the regions where we now live and operate. That awareness is part of how we show up. The land we work on carries stories that began long before our presence here, and that understanding helps us approach our work with respect for the people and places connected to it.

Honouring that responsibility means making space for Indigenous inclusion in the decisions we make. When we plan projects, select suppliers, or look for opportunities to grow local capacity, we work to ensure Indigenous participation and economic benefit are meaningfully considered. These practices help us stay grounded in where we are and who came before us and encourage us to keep strengthening our approach to relationship, respect, and shared stewardship.

CSV Community

We have also been taught that good relationships take time. They grow through respect, through showing up, listening, following through, and staying open to learning. Progress, for us, is something we continue to build by taking care of the land that houses us and the communities that take care of us, including employees, contractors, and everyone who makes our work possible.

These lessons shape how we build and how we measure success. We step into relationships before there is even an ask. Long before a project begins, our commitment is to show up. We also work to connect opportunities within the community, whether that means supporting bid preparation, creating pathways to local hiring, or helping ensure that prosperity can be shared.

We respect the knowledge systems and laws that have guided these lands for generations and continue to inform how we approach our work. They remind us that care for the land and care for community belong together.

Creating shared value is one way we honour these relationships. We aim to build infrastructure that strengthens the regions that make our work possible. That includes hiring locally, supporting skills that last, and finding ways for prosperity to reach beyond our gates.

When we work with respect for the land, we build trust. When we engage with honesty and openness, we create space for shared ideas and collaboration.

Good partnerships begin with humility. We move forward with respect for what came before us and with awareness of what will remain after.

The projects carry connection. They bring together engineering and empathy, design and dialogue, construction and care. This is the standard we hold ourselves to, and it is why this land and the people who have long cared for it continue to teach us what being good stewards means.

We are grateful to work in regions guided by these values. Our role is to contribute to a future that reflects them, a future where development and respect for the land move together.

Creating shared value is more than a principle in a report. It is a daily act of listening, learning, and building in ways that make room for others and leave strength behind.