Our Story
Yell-Quay-Tza Solutions Ltd. is a First Nation–owned planning, development and construction consulting firm based on Vancouver Island. Our team brings decades of project delivery experience.
We work alongside First Nations administrations, governments, funding bodies, and community-driven initiatives to help turn ideas into well-built, lasting community assets.
Our Name & Meaning
The name Yell-Quay-Tza is deeply personal. It is from the name of the founder Micah Claxton’s grandfather, and carries forward a legacy of problem-solving, adaptability, and learning through doing.
Growing up, Yell-Quay-Tza was known for his ability to fix almost anything — boats, mechanical systems, tools — often without formal training, but with curiosity, persistence, and a practical understanding built from experience. That way of approaching challenges informs how the company works today: start by listening, understand the problem fully, remove barriers, and find a clear, workable path forward.
This mindset is reflected in the visual elements of the logo:
- The Raven represents intelligence, adaptability, and wisdom.
- The Water reflects connection, movement, and lived coastal experience.
- The Longhouse Frame symbolizes structure, strength, and building something that lasts.
Values
Yell-Quay-Tza Solutions was created to support communities in bringing important projects to life — thoughtfully, responsibly, and with a clear focus on long-term outcomes. Our work is grounded in cultural understanding, practical experience, and a commitment to building assets that serve communities today and into the future.
Meet the Team
Our leadership team brings together deep experience across First Nations administration, public-sector project delivery, and complex construction environments. Each member contributes practical knowledge, long-standing professional relationships, and a shared commitment to building projects that are thoughtful, well-managed, and aligned with the long-term needs of the communities we serve.
Micah Claxton
Micah Claxton is a strategic leader with deep experience in First Nations governance, infrastructure development, and community-based decision-making. A proud member of the WSÁNEĆ community, Micah brings a strong understanding of how projects intersect with governance, culture, and long-term community priorities.
His background includes senior leadership roles within First Nations administration, most notably as Chief Operating Officer for the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation. In this role, Micah led departmental operations, implemented strategic plans, managed budgets, and oversaw complex capital initiatives. His project experience includes sewer rehabilitation, road and highway access improvements, bridge feasibility and design, and long-term wastewater infrastructure planning.
Micah also serves as President of the Tsawout Housing Society, where he helps guide culturally grounded housing initiatives focused on long-term community benefit. In parallel, he works as a Liaison Manager with the Westbow Group of Companies, supporting respectful collaboration between Indigenous communities and private-sector partners.
Grounded in hands-on residential and commercial construction, Micah brings a practical, delivery-focused perspective to leadership. His work is guided by ethical governance, cultural respect, and a commitment to building assets that serve communities for generations.
Keith Thomas
Keith Thomas brings more than 40 years of experience in construction management, estimating, and large-scale project delivery across Canada. Over the course of his career, Keith has been involved in the successful completion of hundreds of commercial, institutional, and multi-family projects ranging from small renovations to developments valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Keith has held senior roles as construction manager, company owner, director, and estimator, leading projects from early cost planning and procurement through to construction completion. He has coordinated large teams of subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers while maintaining strict control over schedules, budgets, and quality.
His project experience includes schools, medical facilities, university buildings, seniors housing, emergency response facilities, and complex multi-family developments. Keith is known for his ability to anticipate construction challenges early, resolve issues efficiently, and maintain momentum in demanding construction environments.
At Yell-Quay-Tza Solutions, Keith applies his technical knowledge and practical leadership in a collaborative, community-focused setting. His approach emphasizes buildability, accountability, and long-term performance, ensuring projects are delivered with care, durability, and operational practicality in mind.
Will Wieler
Will Wieler brings over 25 years of experience in construction, civil engineering, land development, and project management. His career bridges municipal government, private-sector delivery, and Indigenous-led initiatives, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how projects move from concept to completion.
Will spent a decade working in municipal government, including senior roles responsible for engineering services and capital planning. During this time, he led infrastructure projects, developed asset management strategies, and successfully secured federal funding to support long-term infrastructure renewal and maintenance.
Earlier in his career, Will worked in construction surveying and site coordination on large, complex developments, acting as the technical link between design teams and construction crews. This hands-on experience informs his practical approach to design coordination and constructability.
In recent years, Will has operated his own construction and project management business, with an increasing focus on Indigenous construction and community-based initiatives. His work emphasizes clarity, collaboration, and sustainable outcomes that align technical requirements with community priorities.
Learn More About Us
Every project we support is shaped by experience, cultural understanding, and a commitment to long-term outcomes. Learn more about who we are, how we work, and the values that guide Yell-Quay-Tza Solutions.
Get in Touch