In Alberta’s resource sector, partnerships rooted in trust and shared purpose have the power to transform landscapes, both physical and social. That’s exactly what’s happening between Willow Lake Métis Group (WLMG) and Onyx Access Solutions, a growing force in Canada’s matting and access infrastructure industry.
Together, they’re delivering more than access roads. They’re building pathways to Indigenous prosperity, environmental protection, and long-term industry collaboration.
What Onyx Access Solutions Brings to the Table
Onyx Access Solutions was built from experience. Founder and President Edward Manolii spent years in the matting sector, learning firsthand what worked (and what didn’t) on both the operational and client sides. After working with several access companies and witnessing gaps in efficiency, transparency, and partnership, he assembled what he calls the “A-Team” and launched Onyx.
Onyx specializes in matting, access road installation, delivery logistics, and full-site access management. In simple terms, they lay down the ground infrastructure that makes industrial and energy projects possible, particularly in remote or environmentally sensitive areas.
These mats, typically 8×14-foot wood panels, allow trucks and heavy equipment to safely access job sites without damaging the land. Whether it’s navigating through soft terrain, protecting wetlands, or supporting power line rebuilds after wildfires, Onyx provides the groundwork that keeps projects on track and environmentally compliant .
But they do it differently. With a focus on simplicity, speed, and client focus, their model is built around reducing headaches.
As Edward puts it, “Our slogan is matting made easy, for a reason.”
Sector Reach: Energy, Renewables, and More
While Onyx Access Solutions is best known for its work in Alberta’s oil and gas sector, particularly in pipeline construction and drilling support, its services span across other sectors as well.
The company provides matting and access solutions for:
- Electrical utility infrastructure and transmission lines
- Post-wildfire rebuilds for communities and cities
- Wind farm construction and turbine installation
- General construction and civil infrastructure support
Onyx has also worked in support of projects led by AltaLink and ATCO, and its growing reach into renewable energy reflects an increasing need for sustainable, low-impact construction methods in every corner of the energy sector.
A Partnership Built on Mutual Respect
The partnership between Onyx Access Solutions and Willow Lake Métis Group is built on more than business alignment, it’s built on shared values, trust, and a long-standing working relationship between Edward and WLMG CEO Andy Harnett.
Before launching Onyx, Edward had worked with Andy through another company, where they established mutual respect through transparent collaboration. That history laid the foundation for their current partnership, which now supports joint bids, community engagement, and active projects across Northern Alberta .
What drew Onyx to Willow Lake Métis Group was clear: a Nation-led group that advocated for real participation in projects taking place on their traditional lands, not just approvals, but meaningful involvement and long-term community benefits.
As Edward says, “WLMG chases these opportunities down. They advocate on behalf of the Nation in ways that are serious, strategic, and community-first.”
Matting That Supports the Land and the People
What makes matting a perfect fit for Indigenous partnerships is its connection to the land. Matting plays a key role in reducing surface disturbance during construction. It prevents the spread of clubroot and other agricultural diseases, and minimizes rutting, compaction, and environmental degradation in sensitive areas.
In other words, it protects what matters.
But when it’s done through Indigenous partnership, that impact is multiplied. The economic benefits flow back to the community through employment, training, and local procurement. That’s why WLMG and Onyx approach every project with the question: how can this benefit the Nation?
From trucking contracts to Hydrovac services and site security, Onyx brings subcontracting opportunities to the table, and WLMG brings Indigenous suppliers into the mix. It’s a model of shared success that grows capacity across the board.
Lessons in Long-Term Thinking
For Edward and the Onyx team, the relationship with Willow Lake Métis Group has become a benchmark for how business should be done, honest, accountable, and mutually beneficial.
One key lesson: don’t chase short-term wins. Onyx avoids one-off Indigenous partnerships where companies “check the box” on a project and then walk away. Instead, the focus is on long-term relationship building that goes beyond the lifespan of a single job.
That long view pays off. Edward recalls watching community members evolve from entry-level labourers into foremen and project leads over time. “That kind of success story isn’t just good for them, it builds a culture,” he says.
It also drives internal transformation. Edward openly credits his work with WLMG as shifting how he, and his company, approach sustainability, inclusion, and growth. “It’s changed the way we think about business,” he says. “This is how every project should run.”
Shared Values: The Foundation of Collaboration
When asked what makes the partnership work, Edward points to three key shared values:
- Collaboration – The Willow Lake Métis Group model thrives on connected partnerships. Each piece of the puzzle, Onyx, trucking providers, logistics firms, feeds back into a shared ecosystem that supports the Nation. Everyone benefits when everyone contributes.
- Environmental Responsibility – Onyx takes their environmental role seriously. As the first contractor in and the last contractor out, their job is to leave the land as it was found. This aligns with Willow Lake’s own values, seen in initiatives like the Nation’s bison farm and land stewardship work.
- Accountability – For Onyx, there’s no grey area. Edward says both his team and Willow Lake Métis Group hold themselves (and others) accountable for how projects are delivered and how communities are engaged. It’s not about lip service; it’s about outcomes .
Looking Ahead: Bigger Impact, Bigger Vision
The future of the WLMG–Onyx partnership is moving fast and expanding in exciting directions.
Short-term, the two groups are working on a Limited Partnership (LP) structure that would make the collaboration a majority Indigenous-owned company. That move would not only increase opportunities under procurement frameworks, it would reflect the full spirit of the partnership: shared ownership, shared responsibility, and shared success.
Onyx Access Solutions is also preparing to open a mat manufacturing facility in Acheson, with sourcing support from Hampton Lumber, one of North America’s largest wood suppliers. The facility will produce access mats using wood sourced through partnerships with Indigenous communities in British Columbia and Alberta, creating new employment and training opportunities for Indigenous workers right here in Alberta.
“Matting is labour-intensive,” Edward explains. “That means jobs, training, and a chance for people to learn how to operate loaders, forklifts, and other equipment, before they ever step on a live job site.”
It’s a full-circle model: from forest to fabrication to field, every step embedded with Indigenous participation.
Why This Model Matters
The WLMG–Onyx partnership demonstrates what’s possible when business leaders go beyond checkboxes and look toward true collaboration. It’s a model that integrates procurement, employment, environmental care, and economic opportunity in a way that creates lasting impact, not just for projects, but for people.
As Edward puts it: “These projects are happening. The energy is needed. The question is: how can we make sure these projects create something good?”
That’s what drives Onyx.
That’s what drives WLMG.
And that’s what sets this partnership apart.
The groundwork is laid, literally and figuratively. As Indigenous participation in the energy and infrastructure sectors continues to grow, partnerships like this one are proving that reconciliation and results can go hand in hand.
It’s not just about building roads. It’s about building a future where communities, companies, and land all move forward, together.
