Founder & CEO, Green Key Builders | Co-Founder & President, MedeChan Ltd. | Red River Métis Leader | Driving Economic Reconciliation & Indigenous Healthcare Sovereignty
Eighty-three days. For many in the construction industry, eighty-three days is a standard window for a minor renovation. But for Matthew Meder, Founder and CEO of Green Key Builders Inc., that timeline represented a profound statement of capability. When his team delivered the new Jimmy John’s location in Winnipeg within that window, the achievement wasn’t measured solely in bricks, mortar, and fast-tracked permits. It was measured in the fact that over 80% of the workforce and sub-trades were Indigenous-owned.
For Matthew, a Red River Métis leader, this wasn’t just another project completion; it was a living demonstration of “Economic Reconciliation” in action. It is a philosophy that defines his entire career: a belief that business isn’t a departure from traditional values, but the ultimate vehicle for them. From the steel frames of urban infrastructure to the digital frontiers of rural healthcare, Matthew is proving that when you lead with heart, the results aren’t just profitable—they are transformative.
Roots of Responsibility
Matthew’s journey began long before he stepped onto a construction site. Growing up with the values of the Red River Métis, he was raised with a worldview where individual success is inseparable from collective well-being. This perspective formed the “north star” of his leadership style, long before he held titles like President or CEO.
“The values I was raised with—looking out for one another, thinking about the next generation, giving back more than you take—those aren’t things I leave at the door when I walk into a meeting,” Matthew reflects.
This innate sense of duty led him to spend over two decades in the construction and development sector. He didn’t just learn how to build structures; he learned how to build trust. His path was as much about people as it was about project management, instilling a deep-seated belief that sustainable development isn’t a corporate buzzword—it is a moral imperative.
Scaling Impact with Integrity
As Matthew’s career progressed, he transitioned from a skilled leader within the industry to a visionary entrepreneur. The birth of Green Key Builders Inc. marked a turning point in Manitoba’s construction landscape. Under his guidance, the firm has captured a 15% market share in the Indigenous construction sector, all while maintaining a debt-free operation and an impeccable safety record.
However, Matthew’s vision was never confined to a single lane. He recognized that for Indigenous communities to truly thrive, they needed more than just buildings; they needed infrastructure that addressed the holistic needs of the people. This led to the strategic expansion of his business ecosystem, including the founding of Legacy Nation Contracting Ltd. and MedeChan Ltd.
Through these ventures, Matthew has tackled large-scale infrastructure, tourism development, and mental health services. His approach to business is refreshingly direct and devoid of the performative gestures often seen in the corporate world.
“I think the most important thing is to be honest with yourself about intent,” he notes. “Are you hiring Indigenous people because it looks good on a report, or because you genuinely believe in their talent and potential? At our companies, Indigenous leadership isn’t something we aspire to, it’s who we are.”
Dignity Through Innovation
While his footprint in construction is massive, Matthew’s most personal and perhaps most revolutionary work is currently unfolding through MedeChan Ltd. For years, he witnessed a systemic failure: Indigenous elders and families in remote areas going without basic healthcare due to geographical barriers.
“The spark behind MedeChan’s Virtual Care Stations wasn’t a business plan, it was a feeling in my gut that we could do better,” Matthew shares. “When someone in a remote First Nation can see a healthcare provider without leaving home, that’s not just innovation, that’s dignity.”
This mission recently culminated in a historic milestone: the launch of the first Virtual Care Station in Canada in partnership with the Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek and Nokiiwin Tribal Council. The project’s success was validated on a national stage when MedeChan took home the DARE Innovation Award for “Tech for Good,” presented by Bell MTS. For Matthew, the award wasn’t about the trophy; it was a testament to the fact that technology, when driven by love for community, can close gaps that have existed for generations.
Whether he is honoring the legacy of late visionaries like Dr. Barry Lavallee or collaborating with strategic partners like QDoc Virtual Healthcare, Matthew remains focused on Healthcare Sovereignty. He is ensuring that Indigenous communities have the tools to care for their own people, on their own terms, in their own territory.
Coaching the Next Generation
Despite the high-stakes world of executive meetings and multi-million dollar contracts, Matthew finds his most grounding moments on the ice. As a coach for Indigenous youth programs like the U15AAA Dakota Warriors and U13AA Long Plain Chiefs, he sees a direct parallel between the rink and the boardroom.
“Working with kids in sports teaches you things no diploma ever will: how to listen, how to be patient, how to lead by example instead of authority,” he says. “I lead our companies the same way I coach: with heart, with accountability, and with the belief that everyone on the team matters.”
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Matthew Meder’s legacy is already taking shape. It is a legacy built on the principle that business should serve the people, not extract from them. His advice to the next generation of leaders is a simple but powerful call to action: “Stop performing reconciliation and start living it.”
By merging traditional Métis values with modern business innovation, Matthew isn’t just building projects—he is building a future where distance is no longer a barrier to health, where Indigenous talent is the gold standard, and where the next generation of leaders has a solid platform upon which to stand.
Editorial Note
Matthew Meder’s journey is a masterclass in “Profit with Purpose.” He reminds us that true leadership isn’t about the height of the buildings we construct, but the strength of the communities we support. His story challenges every executive to look past the bottom line and ask: “What legacy am I building for the seven generations to come?”
