Rooted in culture, driven by purpose
A proud səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) member, Cody draws strength and inspiration from his heritage. His father, Claude “Rocky” La Rock, is a world-renowned Sts’ailes First Nation artist known for blending contemporary themes with traditional hand-carving techniques. This helped Cody understand the importance of traditional values, attention to detail, and pride in one’s work. His mother has spent more than two decades designing healthcare programs for Indigenous communities, teaching Cody a deep commitment to service.
“My parents helped me learn how to carry myself, connect with people, build relationships, and figure out what’s not so much economically beneficial but how can I help people,” Cody shares.
Balancing business with family life, Cody is a proud partner and father of two young sons. For him, legacy is both personal and professional.
He entered the construction industry through Indigenous-focused training programs, starting in habitat restoration and environmental remediation. Rising from labour to general manager, Cody advanced by spotting ways to improve operations.
“I didn’t just want to work on projects. I wanted to shape how they were done,” Cody explains.
The birth of Indigenous Iron
While working on a large construction project, Cody noticed a gap in the hydrovac sector dominated by large corporations with little understanding of Indigenous culture or ways of doing business. That prompted him to launch Indigenous Iron to offer a transparent, Indigenous-owned alternative.
“Right out of the gate, we wanted to push the boundaries on how we were viewed as an Indigenous-owned business. We wanted to make a mark for everyone in how to present ourselves to the wider business community and to showcase our ability perform at a higher standard, especially the ones our company has set for safety,” shares Cody.
Indigenous Iron’s big breakthrough came with FortisBC’s Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline (EGP) Project. The non-destructive excavation method they use is a key part of the project’s construction, using high-pressure water to loosen soil and a powerful vacuum to remove it. This helps safely excavate earth more precisely and limit the damage to the soil and root systems caused by heavy and aggressive machinery.
The company secured the hydrovac contract through competitive bidding. Since work with FortisBC began, Indigenous Iron has expanded its scope by partnering with other companies.
“We earned our place by doing the work—and doing it well,” Cody says. “Every truck, every crew—it’s about showing what Indigenous excellence looks like. We’re showing that Indigenous leadership isn’t just possible—it’s essential.”
Partnerships rooted in respect
Cody credits FortisBC and the EGP Project team for creating space for Indigenous-led success stories. “Working with FortisBC has been great,” he says. “They didn’t just give us a contract, they put trust in us, and we wanted to show them that trust was well placed.”
FortisBC is committed to building strong relationships with Indigenous businesses and strives to allocate a minimum of five percent of total annual contracting expenditures for major projects to Indigenous-owned and affiliated companies. In 2025, FortisBC exceeded that target - reaching 25 percent, with more than half from work on the EGP Project.
“We’re really proud of the relationships we’ve built on the project,” says Heidi Taylor, Indigenous relations manager at FortisBC. “It’s a privilege to work with Cody. His dedication and leadership are a powerful example of how to create meaningful and lasting relationships in business and in life.”
Morgan Darlington, Surerus Murphy Joint Venture Indigenous and local engagement lead, feels the same way.
“Cody and his crew bring skill and reliability to every job, and they do it while being some of the most personable people you could ever meet. It is a pleasure to work with them,” says Morgan.
We’re showing that Indigenous leadership isn’t just possible — it’s essential.
Cultural knowledge meets environmental stewardship
The trust and collaboration FortisBC has built with Indigenous communities has been instrumental in ensuring construction on traditional territories is carried out with respect and integrity. In sensitive areas like the Indian River Valley, the EGP Project team mixes Indigenous ecological knowledge with modern practices. Cody’s seen the return of salmon, wolves, and grizzlies firsthand—a testament to respectful environmental stewardship taking place.
“FortisBC believes it’s important to work with and take into consideration Indigenous and cultural knowledge. It’s important for Indigenous Iron to work with companies that have those shared values,” Cody says.
We recognize and value the knowledge and expertise Indigenous contractors provide. Since 2021, we have spent more than $500 million dollars with Indigenous-owned and affiliated businesses on EGP. This represents approximately 70% of our total local supply chain spend.
Vision for the future
Cody has ambitious plans for Indigenous Iron, including the possibility of evolving into a Nation-owned enterprise, creating intergenerational wealth and self-reliance for Indigenous communities.
“Build, build, build. Go, go, go. That’s the mindset—because our future depends on it,” explains Cody.
As the company grows, Cody hopes to inspire other Indigenous entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities in infrastructure and resource development—not just as subcontractors, but as equal partners.
“We hope to do more work with FortisBC in the future. I hope our biggest milestone is yet to come,” Cody shares.
Cody’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when Indigenous knowledge meets entrepreneurial grit. Indigenous Iron is more than a company—it’s a movement toward inclusive, high-performing infrastructure development.
For more information about our project, check out the EGP Project updates page.
