A First Nations company in Regina has been awarded a business venture worth $100,000 in a computer leasing deal just negotiated by the province.

Morning Star Technologies, an aboriginal-owned IT firm that provides professional services, will refurbish used government computers for resale.

The venture is part of a larger computer leasing deal announced Wednesday between the Information Technology Office, which provides IT services to more than 3,000 Saskatchewan government employees, and Lenovo, a personal computing company, in which Lenovo will supply the ITO with its computer hardware for the next three years.

Dwayne Hnatiw, vice-president of corporate development for Morning Star, said the venture will help the company bring First Nations people and technology together.

"I think the aboriginal community is going to be one of the big drivers of the economy in this province," he said.

"What we need to do right now is start to harness those ideas and enable them, by giving them the technology and by training people that are out there to be comfortable with technology, to use the technology, and to be able to do the day-to-day stuff out there. We want to come out and mentor people, train people, and be there for them long term for when they need something."

Used computers to be sold

He said the company plans to sell the used computers to businesses, schools and First Nations across the province.

Under the leasing deal, Lenovo will provide up to 12,000 computers for 16 Saskatchewan government departments and agencies. The cost of the hardware is not to exceed $14.5 million.

Currently, the ITO provides IT services for these departments and agencies.

The Regina branch of NexInnovations Inc., a company that provides IT consulting and support services, will supply the computers under the deal. The company will also service all leased equipment.

In a news release, Hnatiw said it's felt the new deal "will further contribute to our ability to hire and retain the youth of the province that are looking for entry-level technology positions to start and create a long-term career in Saskatchewan."