OSOYOOS – Indigenous-led firm Medical, Surgical and Safety Supplies (MSS) Ltd. is expected to be awarded a contract with the Provincial Health Services Authority and is committing 51 per cent of the net proceeds to Indigenous communities in the Northern and Interior Health regions, including the Lheidli T’enneh and Osoyoos Nations.
The contract will mean that Indigenous-branded medical gloves will be used by Northern and Interior Health facilities. MSS is a Certified Aboriginal Business founded in 1992 in Hay River, Northwest Territories, and the social enterprise medical supply firm has been working on the “reconciliation glove project” for the past two years.
“It’s a supply chain contract worth up to $40 million over five years. It’s a contract that will provide us with stability to grow, and allow us to be more competitive,” says James Hiebert, a member of the Mohawk Nation’s Turtle clan and president of MSS, told Postmedia. “This is a little bit about business, but it’s more about reconciliation. Part of reconciliation is economic reconciliation, and that means getting Indigenous groups on the road to self-determination.
“Every box of these gloves has the Indigenous bear on it, a symbol that represents cultural awareness. It shows everyone who walks into the room the steps that the BC government is taking to live up to their commitment,” said Hiebert.
Business Examiner Staff