Jana Benson Nadler grew up taking chlorine residuals and bacteriological samples as part of her family’s environmental services business on the Sunshine Coast. It was a task she undertook “begrudgingly” as a teenager, until one day, she had a “lightbulb moment.”
“Our entire civilization depends on our water,” Jana described. “So many people aren’t aware of what companies like mine do and the importance of what they do. Often, they don’t think about it until they turn their tap on, and water doesn’t come out.”
The realization turned into a successful career and a private utility operations business of her own. Jana has now been at the helm of Keats Island Construction and Services Ltd. (KICAS) for more than a decade, expanding the company from general contracting to include marine, aviation, and—most especially—drinking water and wastewater management. The KICAS team now operates water and wastewater systems for over a dozen clients across the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, Sea to Sky Corridor, and Lower Mainland, and remote work camps throughout southern B.C.
Jana said she is proud to play a role in safeguarding a resource as vital as water, especially in her Squamish Nation traditional territory.
“Over the years there have been remediation cleanup efforts in what were the extremely polluted waters of Howe Sound, and we’re just a small part of that story, but we feel like we’re part of keeping it going in a positive direction.”
Asked if she has any advice for other aspiring Indigenous business owners, Jana encouraged them to chase down any certification they can obtain and:
“When you come up against a struggle or a setback just keep going. Lead with good intentions. See the bigger picture and know that your efforts will mean something, even if at the time it doesn’t feel like you’re making progress.”
For more information on Keats Island Construction and Services, visit https://kicas.ca
Interested in being listed on the Squamish Nation Community Business Directory? Call us at 604-329-1752, email applications@nchu7mut.com, or visit the Directory online.
