NAABA Member Feature: Corgan

Returning to their woodworking roots 

Photo above: Nadena Chadi, member of Corgan's leadership team.

For more than a decade Corgan has proudly offered high-quality woodworking, finishing and general contracting services in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region. Clem Organ and Elsie Cowie helped to create the company back in 2005.

Throughout the years they’ve tackled projects of all sizes and scope across commercial, residential, and industrial sectors, while taking pride in completing each job with skill and care.

In their early days, Corgan grew rapidly and earned contracts with major industry players which saw them expand their offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of the local economy. Today, the focus of their business is shifting. Corgan is returning to its roots to focus on residential and commercial renovations, woodworking and finishing – with projects such as upgrading home and office spaces; custom woodworking for flooring, cabinets, shelving and staircases; window upgrades, and much more.

And it’s not the only piece that is evolving. As the company shifts gears, Clem and Elsie plan to slowly step back and transition the leadership reigns to their eldest daughter, Nadena Chadi.

“The company took off more than we ever could have imagined, and it’s been an incredible experience to have our family involved each step along the way,” says Clem, a journeyperson carpenter. “Corgan has always tried to make both family and craftsmanship the top priorities, and we want to keep that legacy well into the future.”

The family’s culture runs deep in the region—both Elsie, from Fort Chipewyan, and Nadena are members of McMurray Métis 1935, and Nadena's son is a member of the Fort McKay First Nation. "As a Métis-owned company, we’re proud to do quality work that supports our community and clients. It’s a big part of who we are. We take great pride in being an Indigenous business," says Nadena.

While she's been involved with various parts of the business, the past year has marked a significant turning point for Nadena’s leadership role within Corgan. This shift marks an exciting time for their organization, to maintain its quality and strong community ties, while also empowering new leadership to bring fresh ideas and business strategy.

"I've grown up around the business. From managing payroll, safety and invoicing - to driving trucks and picking up supplies, it’s been really rewarding to be involved and learn about different areas of how we operate," says Nadena. "At the end of the day, Corgan is not just a business—it's a legacy that my parents built, and I want to carry that forward with pride."

As Corgan enters this new phase, they aim to work towards expanding their presence and network—especially within the Indigenous business community. Strengthening their relationship with the Northern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA), is one of the ways they hope to accomplish this.

Corgan has been a proud member for 12 years and encourages Indigenous business owners and other NAABA members to stay in touch with the organization. "Working with NAABA has been a game-changer for us," says Clem. "They gave us the guidance we needed to take things to the next level. They helped us see where we could improve and how to get there. It was great to sit down with them and map out how much more we could be doing to elevate the company."

With family support, a talented team, and guidance from resources such as NAABA, Nadena and Clem are confident that Corgan will continue to grow and thrive. "It's been amazing to have NAABA behind us," adds Nadena. "They’ve given us the tools and encouragement we need to keep moving forward. NAABA has been a huge resource for us, and we’re grateful for the connections and support they provide.”

And for Nadena, it’s all about honouring the legacy of her parents and creating something that will continue to serve the community for years to come.

To learn more about Corgan, click here to follow them on Facebook.

Certified Full Members invited to register

for Indigenous Business Week

Registration is now open for NAABA Indigenous Business Week 2025, running January 27 to 31, 2025. Indigenous Business Week is intended for Certified Full NAABA members and features free workshops, learning opportunities and networking for entrepreneurs, business owners and their teams. Register for one session or all, the event is meant to work for your schedule.

View the full event list or register online here.

• State of the Organization Address, with Board Chair Sandy Sanderson.
• Indigenous Business Structures, with Billie Fortier, Lawyer and Partner at MLT Aikins: What they are, How they work, and the Pros and Cons of each.
• Speed Networking Member event
• Ladies Luncheon: The Role of Knowledge Sharing in Advancing Women's Careers.
• Professional head shots: with Nick Vardy of Moccasin Media.
• ATB learning and workshops
• Open House and Artisan Market - open to all NAABA members

For more information, please call the NAABA office at 780-791-0478.

NAABA Board Feature: Angela Maxson

A champion for Indigenous youth, community and business

As the President of Creekline and Vice Chair of the Some Other Solutions board, Angela Maxson is a force in the region and the business community.  Angela’s journey from the social work field to the business world is nothing short of inspiring. As a member of the NAABA Board of Directors since 2023, she brings a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives and a passion for Indigenous entrepreneurship.  

Starting in 2013, Angela and her husband Derek have led Creekline - formerly known as Poplar Beaver General Contracting - into a thriving business providing site services, clearing and mulching, earthworks, and janitorial. Angela’s father, Gilbert McDonald, started the business, after creating his own legacy working with the Great Canadian Oil Sands in the 1960s. “Derek and I wanted to provide something different for our family and community, and our previous business experience helped us to build on my father’s solid foundation,” says Angela. 

Angela’s connection to her culture and family plays an integral part in how she manages her business and board positions. Raised in Fort McMurray as a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, she was taught to respect the land, her community, and to always put people first.  

This path has always been a priority. As Creekline continued to grow and while raising a young family at home, Angela set her sights on achieving her social work education. In this field, she gained invaluable experience advocating for others and understanding more of the barriers that Indigenous families face. Angela became involved with Victim Services, the foster care system, and cultural initiatives. When her children were older, Angela decided to focus more on the business, bringing her social work experience and passion for giving back into her entrepreneurial efforts. 

Angela is a strong advocate for mental health, sports and youth empowerment. She helps to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth, such as coaching the All Girls Huskies hockey team, managing Wood Buffalo Native Hockey teams, and sponsoring athletes. Working to promote both physical and mental well-being among Indigenous youth.  

“Youth have always been my passion,” she says. “We’re raising our daughters to be strong, independent Indigenous women. I want them to see that anything is possible if you put in the work and stay true to your values.” 

These values are what helped to lead Angela to become a NAABA Board member, with the goal of strengthening Indigenous business and supporting economic reconciliation. “As an outsider looking in, it’s easy to critique from the sidelines. Once I joined, I realized there’s a lot of strategic planning that goes into it,” Angela shares.  

“I’ve learned so much from other board members. They each bring new perspectives—some have been in business for decades, and others are just starting out. It’s been amazing to connect with such a diverse group of entrepreneurs,” she adds. “The work NAABA has done to take the organization back to its roots has been incredible, and I’m thankful to be part of it.” 

Angela is passionate about supporting economic reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Indigenous businesses and industry. “We’re focusing on building a stronger community of Indigenous entrepreneurs, and we need to ensure that we’re at the table when it comes to economic discussions.” 



Angela’s commitment to unity, economic reconciliation, and cultural preservation is driving change and creating opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Fort McMurray and beyond. 

“Our focus should always be on the seven generations ahead of us. What kind of foundation are we laying down now for them,” says Angela.  



Through Creekline, NAABA, and her community work, Angela is not only shaping the future of Indigenous entrepreneurship now but also creating a lasting impact for generations to come. 

Does your business or organization have news to share with NAABA members? Please send your Sharing Circle news to communication@naaba.ca to include in future e-newsletters.