What began as a chance meeting at the AtlSecCon Atlantic Cybersecurity Conference in Halifax has blossomed into a powerful joint venture that blends technology expertise with diversity and Indigenous engagement. This unique partnership between Turtle Island Technology Solutions Inc. and Castellan Information Security exemplifies how shared values and mutual respect can create lasting business success.
Michael Hebert, owner of Turtle Island Technology Solutions, and Jason Winter of Castellan Information Security first crossed paths with the intention of exploring co-opetition—where competitors collaborate to advance mutual goals. However, it soon became apparent that their companies shared more than just a competitive edge; they held common beliefs about the importance of values and ethics in business. Both saw an opportunity to build something greater together than they could achieve alone.
Turtle Island Technology Solutions, headquartered in Millbrook First Nation, is a fully Indigenous-owned business with a mission to increase Indigenous representation in technology. Hebert’s vision was clear: to grow his new venture with a partner that understood and supported this goal. Castellan, a certified diverse business based in Manitoba, provided the perfect match.
“When meeting with Michael for the first time, I was hoping to gain a good contact and grow a relationship that benefits both organizations into the future,” said Jason Winter. “But as we chatted more, it became clear that our values, goals, and approach to ‘good business’ were very aligned. Relationships are more important than transactions and knowing the person behind the title is key to a long-lasting partnership.”
The connection was solidified as Michael was introduced to Castellan’s leadership team, including Azhar Laldin, one of the company’s owners. It was immediately evident that Castellan’s values—integrity, respect, and giving back—were in harmony with those of Turtle Island.
“Castellan takes our values and ethics seriously and expects the same from all our partners,” said Laldin. “After meeting Michael and observing how Turtle Island operates, it was clear they place the same level of importance on these foundational principles. This alignment made the decision to partner an easy one.”
For Michael Hebert, the partnership was the key to bringing his company’s mission to life. “From the very moment I met the team at Castellan, I knew they had the same values and that would be the perfect foundation for our success. I wanted to stick to our purpose and mission, and finding a certified diverse partner like Castellan felt like everything we needed.”
On July 1st, the Joint Venture between Turtle Island Technology Solutions and Castellan Information Security came into effect, marking the beginning of a partnership that is already seeing early success with national clients. The collaboration is set to expand opportunities for Indigenous engagement in the technology sector, building a future where diverse voices and perspectives play a central role in innovation and growth.
With a foundation built on trust, ethics, and shared goals, Turtle Island and Castellan are well-positioned to make a significant impact on the tech industry. As their partnership grows, so too will the opportunities for Indigenous communities to thrive in this ever-evolving field.
This partnership serves as an example of how diversity and inclusion, when woven into the fabric of business strategy, can lead to sustainable success and broader industry engagement.
The Turtle Island Technologies and Castellan Information Security JV markets their own staff and a bench of over 100 industry leading information security, datacenter and cloud, network, and system experts for their projects and to their clients for staff augmentation, service delivery and project implementation.
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