Paving the
Path for
the Next
Generation
Saskatchewan entrepreneur Kendal Netmaker
recently spoke to students in Regina to share
his story of perseverance to hopefully help
them do the same in the future.
By Craig Slater, Martin Charlton Communications
Roadbuilders play a vital role in
allowing people to reach their
desired destinations efficiently
and safely.
Mentors and role models play a similar
part in helping pave the path for young and
impressionable children.
Kendal Netmaker took on that position
earlier this week when he spoke to
more than 100 students from three Regina
schools at Sacred Heart Community School,
an event sponsored by the Saskatchewan
Heavy Construction Association.
Raised by his mother and grandmother,
Netmaker grew up in a low-income household
on Sweetgrass First Nation with his
three younger sisters.
He overcame a variety of challenges, dealt
with setbacks and failures to emerge as one
of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs. He graduated
from the University of Saskatchewan
with two degrees, published a book and has
won more than 25 business awards.
He shared his story of perseverance with
the Regina students. He was candid and real
and appealing.
“When I was their age, we had a speaker
come to (my school) and I didn’t realize the
impact of that moment until about 10 years
later,” Netmaker said. “Me speaking to these
kids is about planting a seed that could possibly
grow if they allow it to.
“I try to push that seed as deep into their
minds as I can through more stories and
20 Think BIG | Quarter 2 2019 | saskheavy.ca
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