Des Nedhe Group and SaskTel Sign MOU to Launch Infrastructure Collaboration

May 28, 2025

Individuals from left to right: David Ekstrand, SaskTel’s Vice President of Business Sales and Solutions along with Sean Willy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Des Nedhe Group.

Ottawa, ON - At CANSEC 2025, Des Nedhe Group and SaskTel officially announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a relationship focused on building secure, scalable, and Indigenous-led digital infrastructure solutions that support both national security and long-term economic growth.

Under the agreement, Des Nedhe Group will lead market engagement for SaskTel’s secure data storage services with the Department of National Defence and its supply chain. This includes joint efforts to secure public funding and deliver co-branded commercial services, all anchored in principles of Indigenous data sovereignty and economic development. Datsa, Des Nedhe Group’s technology subsidiary, will expand research and development initiatives regarding cybersecurity and data analytics.

“We’re proud to partner with SaskTel—a leading Canadian Crown Corporation that has demonstrated a consistent commitment to Indigenous engagement,” said Sean Willy, President & CEO of Des Nedhe Group. “This is a powerful example of economic reconciliation in action. With SaskTel’s technological infrastructure and our trusted relationships, we’re creating a pathway for inclusive, secure, and future-ready solutions.”

“We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration with the Des Nedhe Group,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO. “It is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, security, and reconciliation. By combining our strengths and resources, we aim to develop cutting-edge digital infrastructure solutions that will lead to sustained economic prosperity and growth.”

The collaboration follows the recent launch of DNGD, a dedicated platform designed to serve Canada’s defence industry by leveraging Des Nedhe’s national internal network of 20+ Indigenous-owned businesses. DNGD provides a “one-stop shop” offering to meet the urgent demands of an evolving geopolitical climate, at a time when defence spending and Indigenous inclusion are rising national priorities.

“Des Nedhe Group Defence (DNGD) is committed to bridging the gap between military, government, industry, and Indigenous stakeholders—by creating long-term, value-added partnerships and ultimately doing what’s right for Canada,” added Grant Oliver, Vice President, Operations for DNGD. “This MOU marks a clear step forward in delivering targeted, high-value services to the defence sector, while aligning with national policy on Indigenous inclusion.”

Des Nedhe and SaskTel have already begun identifying and pursuing early commercial opportunities under this agreement.

About SaskTel

SaskTel is the leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) provider in Saskatchewan, with approximately $1.3 billion in annual revenue and nearly 1.4 million customer connections including more than 654,000 wireless accesses, 257,000 wireline network accesses, 295,000 internet and data accesses, 111,000 maxTV service subscribers, and 77,000 security monitoring customers. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries offer a wide range of ICT products and services including competitive voice, data and Internet services, wireless data services, maxTV services, data centre services, cloud-based services, security monitoring services, advertising services, and international software and consulting services. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 3,300 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.