2022 Speakers.

Regional Chief Kluane Adamek (Aagé) is a proud northerner and citizen of Kluane First Nation, welcomed into the Dakl’aweidi (Killerwhale) Clan by clan Matriarchs. She is the AFN’s lead on climate change and the environment and serves on the Net-Zero Advisory Body to the Minister of Environment and Climate. She has also served as the Co-Chair of the COVID-19 Northern and Remote Communities Working Group. She holds the Modern Treaties portfolio. Since 2009, she has worked with Yukon First Nations and local communities in the areas of education, economic development and governance serving on several boards and committees including the Yukon College Board of Governors, Kluane Dana Trust, Actua, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

Chief Joe Alphonse has been the Tribal Chairman of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) since 2010 and elected Chief of the Tl’etinqox-t’in Government since 2009. He remains the longest elected Chief in the history of Tl’etinqox-t’in. From 2000 to 2009 Chief Alphonse acted as the Director of Government and Services at the TNG. Chief Alphonse played an instrumental role in the Tŝilhqot’in Nation vs. British Columbia Aboriginal Title case. As a fluent speaker of Tŝilhqot’in, Chief Alphonse is a fifth-generation Tŝilhqot’in Chief and the direct decedent of Chief Anaham, the Grand Chief of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation during the Chilcotin War of 1864.

Roger is President and Chief Executive Officer for FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc., overseeing electricity and natural gas business operations. He has more than 25 years of experience in the energy industry including senior financial roles with Westcoast Energy prior to joining FortisBC in 2004. As a senior executive in the energy industry, Roger serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Gas Association, Electricity Canada and Western Energy Institute. In addition, Roger is a member of the Business Council of BC’s Board of Governors.

Born and raised on the Squamish Nation, Simon is an acclaimed actor in hit TV series and Hollywood feature films over the last two decades. A graduate of the Vancouver film school acting program, Simon was one of only eight actors selected in the inaugural year of the Actors Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre. Cast as the host of RealWorld’s international docuseries “Native Planet”, Simon is now evolving his career behind the camera as both host and Associate Producer for RealWorld’s latest docuseries: Twindemic. Simon is lending his voice to promote Indigenous equity and inclusion in the Canadian film and television industry.

The former Chief of Kitselas First Nation, Joe Bevan saw the successful negotiations of an IBA and revenue sharing agreement with Coastal Gas Link and the province of BC. Has over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance, business development, and governance and worked with various First Nations and First Nation organizations. His past leadership experiences include as the former Director for the First Nations LNG Alliance, Chair of First Nation Finance Authority, and former Chair of First Nations Major Projects Coalition. Currently, Joe chairs Kyah Development Corporation (Witset First Nation), the Board of Governor at Nicole Valley Institute of Technology, and serves as a director at a charity called I Love First Peoples.

As Vice President of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, Amber coordinates engagement for the AIOC. She has the critical responsibility of driving AIOC’s mandate and establishing a platform to facilitate and welcome Indigenous investment and equity share ownership and partnerships in Alberta’s natural resource, transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, and related infrastructure projects. Amber is a proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band in Northwestern Ontario and comes to AIOC with more than 18 years in the banking industry.

Stephen Bruyneel works under contract for the Fraser River Discovery Centre Society (FRDCS) as the Director, External Relations & Development. He is also a member of the Indigenous Relations Committee of the FRDCS Board of Directors and, in that capacity, works closely with Musqueam Indian Band (MIB) on an exciting new partnership emerging out of a recent memorandum of understanding.

Cascade Campbell (Palakwiya) or Burning Light of the Ancestors, is from the Squamish, Musqueam and Michipicoten First Nations. She is the second generation not to have to attend residential school, having graduated from Collingwood school in 2020 and currently continuing studies at UBC in the Bachelor + Master of Management Dual Degree. After graduation, Cascade plans on pursuing a career in the business or entrepreneurship field.

Ian Campbell is a hereditary chief of the Squamish Nation and served for sixteen years as an elected councillor. He was a lead negotiator on various resource projects and in the establishment of the MST Development Corporation, which oversees land development in a joint partnership between the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

Harley Chappell is the elected chief of Semiahmoo First Nation in South Surrey, BC. He currently serves as a coastal Indigenous representative on the Fraser Basin Council, a Board Member of the Shared Water Alliance, and a Director for the Emergency Planning Secretariat. As a founding board member for the Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association (SSIGA) he is seeking to ensure that Indigenous voices have a key role in guiding industrial development and government processes and that First Nations are well equipped and resourced to properly engage in policymaking.

Mr. Charles is privileged to serve as a Council Member for the Musqueam Indian Band for the last 30 years and has played an active role on council committees dealing with substantive treaty, lands and finance issues. He serves as a Director for the Musqueam Capital Corporation (MCC), a member of the Board of Directors of the Fraser River Discovery Center Society and – most recently – has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Science World and to the BCAFN Gaming Commission.

James Delorme is an Indigenous digital disrupter, leader, and solopreneur. The former Chief of the Klahoose First Nation, he now serves as President of Indigeknow, spending his time on technological innovation and impactful projects with companies like Hypercharge Networks, Briteweb Digital Marketing, NWT FNIGC, All Purpose*, Vancouver Giants, KPMG, The BC Ministry of Citizen Services (Connectivity in BC) and various Indigenous partners and clients. His passion is to help others succeed in business and build capacity in the technology sector by bridging the digital divide.

Chief Judy Desjarlais of the Blueberry River First Nations, located in Treaty 8 Territory, Northeast BC, is Dunne’za/Nehiyaw (Beaver/Cree) raised by her Grandparents May & Bernard Apsassin. Her recent election win, in January of 2022, saw her enter a governance landscape framed by the BC Provincial Court ruling on the Treaty Rights of her Nation. She will be sharing remarks on the path forward.

Mr. Himmelright is the Senior VP of External Affairs and Sustainability at Skeena Resources, which is advancing the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project — the first Project in BC to develop under a Section 7 Indigenous consent framework through DRIPA. Mr. Himmelright has over 25 years of experience in environmental management. He previously served as Vice President for several publicly listed companies and as a consultant to Indigenous communities on mining proposals within their Territories. He is an Executive Board member of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC and is currently an adjunct professor at the Norman Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering (UBC) on the topic of Indigenous peoples and mining in Canada.

David Isaac is a Mi’kmaq originally from Listuguj, Quebec but was raised in Vancouver within the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples. He recently, joined the board of UBC IC-IMPACTS, was named a Canadian Climate Change Champion (2021) and serves on the governance expert panel for the Canada Climate Law Initiative. His company, W Dusk is currently developing green hydrogen, BC's first fully solar community and has previously completed two of the province's largest community owned (distributed power) solar projects and North America's first Indigenous owned utility scale solar farm in the Fisher River Cree Nation.

Tumia has served as a Council member for Kwantlen First Nation for over the past two decades and has been involved in leading a variety of government, land, economic, and resource self-determination initiatives and program development on behalf of Kwantlen during this time as a practicing lawyer. She is honoured to be a part of the establishment of SSIGA with neighbouring Nations and is excited for the important and needed work of SSIGA going forward to ensure the rightful place of Indigenous voice and perspective to decisions and processes impacting traditional territories and resources.

The great-granddaughter of the legendary Chief Louie, Corrina Leween was first elected Chief of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation in 2003, the youngest Cheslatta person and the third woman ever to hold that position. She has served four terms, being re-elected by acclamation as Chief in 2015 and again in 2017. A graduate of the University of Victoria, Chief Leween is also the Chair of Carrier Sekani Family Services and Vice Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. After over a decade of building innovative partnerships, Chief Leween was part of the First Nation Major Project Coalition Team that successfully negotiated an equity agreement with the Coastal GasLink pipeline in 2022.

Chris Lewis (Syeta’xtn) has been a long-time member of the Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council and is one of two Spokespersons for the Nation. Chris is honored to have been a member of the Board of the N’chakay Development Corporation, MST Employment and Training Society, and the Coho Society of the North Shore. Previously, Chris was a founding Board member of the MST Development Corporation and just completed a six-year term as member of the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors. Chris was recognized by Vancouver Magazine on their “Power 50” list in November 2020 for his leadership and influence. Prior to political leadership at Squamish Nation, Chris also worked for many years at the national and provincial level for the BC Assembly of First Nations focusing on First Nations advocacy and policy.

Ruby Littlechild, is Plains Cree and from Maskwacis, Alberta. She previously worked for the Government of Alberta and helped launch the Alberta Indigenous Construction Career Centre at NorQuest College. She is currently the National Director of Indigenous Relations for SNC-Lavalin and is a Board Member for Alberta’s Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. She believes shifts in social consciousness, higher education and ethical practice is vital to sustainable development in our Indigenous communities in order alleviate the prevalent poverty.

Bill Lomax is dedicated to empowering Native American Tribes with financial strategies and education that enable long-term, multi-generational economic growth. As a wealth management leader, Bill has built Indigenous-focused wealth management businesses at firms such as Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Smith Barney. A member of the Gitxsan Nation in British Columbia, and prior Senior Portfolio Manager for one of the most successful Tribes in the US, Bill combines his expertise in wealth management with his first-hand knowledge of Indigenous governance and culture in order to transform the complexity of investment management into insightful strategies for Native American Tribes across the US.

Melissa Mbarki has spent the last 15 years of her career in various sectors of the oil and gas industry covering the lifecycle of an asset from acquisition to environmental site assessments and reclamation projects. Melissa has taken her expertise in the energy sector and applied it to Indigenous issues happening across Canada. She believes that knowing the land system and ownership is key for any project, and that applying a comprehensive understanding of ownership, rights and governmental policies can help lead Indigenous communities out of poverty. Melissa grew up in an impoverished community under a boil water advisory and credits the natural resources sector for offering a career that has saved her from poverty and violence.

Jesse is the Director, Research, Innovation and Legal Affairs for the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. He previously served as the Director of Policy and Indigenous Relations for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Director of Rights Implementation for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. As a proud citizen of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation and the Oneida Nation (Wolf Clan), Jesse is committed to the achievement of reconciliation through the implementation of rights, treaties and responsibilities.

Michael has worked as a founder, director and executive leading the development of mineral resource projects and companies throughout North America and internationally. He is a specialist in the environmental, regulatory, Indigenous and financial aspects of the natural resources sector and has held senior executive and board positions with both industry and the Government of Canada. Michael is currently the Co-Chair and Founding Partner of Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd. and the co-author of the best-selling book: “Weaving Two Worlds – Economic Reconciliation Between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector”.

Nalaine Morin is a nationally recognized award-winning professional who has managed environmental reviews of several large resource development projects on behalf of Indigenous Nations. She has extensive technical experience in both mining and environmental assessment processes, and she is well known for her work to build positive relationships that recognize the role of Indigenous Nations in decision making on Indigenous Lands. Nalaine provides services in third party technical reviews, regulatory application reviews, impact benefit agreement negotiations, community engagement and natural resource management.

Tiffany Murray is the Director of Indigenous Relations for Coastal GasLink working for TC Energy. In this role, Tiffany leads an Indigenous Relations team that is responsible for implementing the project agreements with all elected Indigenous groups along the project corridor. In addition, her team is responsible for Indigenous contracting and procurement, which has awarded over $1 billion in subcontracting value to Indigenous businesses on the project to date and has helped facilitated three Indigenous partnerships with prime contractors for major pipeline construction. Tiffany is also responsible for the equity option agreements with Indigenous partners on behalf of TC Energy for Coastal GasLink.

Steven Muzzo is the founder, CEO and chairman of OZZ Electric. Established in 1991, OZZ Electric is a full service electrical, data communications and energy efficiency services company. Mr. Muzzo’s vision of a new energy economy has also resulted in the founding of a variety of successful businesses redefining how energy is generated, delivered and managed.

Over the past 30 years, Mr. Negrin has established himself as a leader in the Development and Construction Industry throughout Canada, developing strong working relationships with First Nations throughout British Columbia. He is a long-time Director and former President of the Urban Design Institute (UDI) and from 2008 to 2016, David served as the President of Aquilini Development and Construction Inc. There, he established partnerships with Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Tsawwassen First Nation culminating in over 1 Million SF of development.

Marian specializes in innovative and progressive approaches in the field of government relations – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Honing in on rationales for processes– if the status quo does not allow for needs to be addressed, she works to develop partnerships and solutions that do. Marian has previously worked in both government and industry. With the latter, she was part of the core team at Woodfibre LNG that worked with Squamish Nation in the establishment and enforcement of the first-ever Indigenous-issued environmental certificate.

Chief Terry Paul of the Membertou First Nation successfully negotiated Mik'maq equity ownership in North America's largest shellfish producer. Chief Paul has been elected chief for 38 years, during which he guided his community and administration into one of the most efficient and economically flourishing Indigenous communities in the country.

Chief Gordon Planes’ traditional name is Hya-Quatcha, named after his great grandfather from Scia-new, the salmon people. Gordon has been elected Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation for the last 10 years and sits on many boards encompassing the Salish Sea. He has previously been a logger, commercial fisherman, pipe fitter by trade and a Back Country Operations Manager with Pacific Rim National Parks Reserve. Gordon is also a Coast Salish artist and carver, traditional singer and captain of T’Sou-ke traditional dug-out canoes. He is actively working closely with the community on renewable energy, food and water security, Coast Salish language revitalization and Economic Development.

Karen Restoule is an Indigenous thought-leader and CEO of Shared Value Solutions, where she works with Indigenous communities to achieve goals of jurisdiction, prosperity and self-determination. Before joining the organization, she was a key leader in the modernization of Ontario’s administrative justice system, with a remarkable career in the Indigenous justice system. 

Sheryl Rivers (also known as Siamtnaat or Milnitdi) is a member of the Squamish Nation and owner of Rivers Consulting Solutions. She currently serves the City of North Vancouver as the commissioner for the North Vancouver Museum & Archives.

Chris is a Senior Partner at Nation Origination Ventures Group, Principal owner and President at Blackfish Enterprises, and part owner of a heavy civil construction company. He is also a Senior Fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute where he provides advice on Indigenous affairs, research and policy. Chris was also recently appointed to the C2C2C Unity Corridor Foundation Board of Directors. A member of the Coast Tsimshian community of Lax Kw’Alaams, Chris was an Elected Councilor for the Lax Kw’Alaams Band where he implemented the first ever emergency response and marine safety table on the North Coast and helped negotiate the $36 billion-dollar Pacific Northwest LNG agreement.

Sharon is a Partner with and co-head of Aboriginal law at Bennett Jones LLP. She advises on regulatory, governance, environmental, water and Aboriginal law to various sectors. She guides organizations through impact/environmental assessments, agreements and partnerships with Indigenous communities, ESG related disclosures, opportunities and risks, regulatory and environmental audits and undertakes complex due diligence. She is actively involved with the community as Member of the Wet'suwet'en Community Advisory Council, as Senior Policy Advisor to the Mining Association of British Columbia and the Association of Mineral Exploration. She is also active with numerous community boards and industry associations.

Christy Smith is a K’ómoks First Nation matriarch with some settler ancestry, living in her traditional territory on Vancouver Island. Engaging and building good relationships are at the core of what Christy does as a changemaker, mentor, liaison, project manager, and engagement expert. Christy currently serves as partner and Vice-President, Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations, with Falkirk Environmental Consultants and Vice President of Sustainability for TDG Gold Corp. Christy is the co-author of the best-selling book: “Weaving Two Worlds – Economic Reconciliation Between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector”.

Dallas has roots from all four corners of the Kwak̓wala speaking peoples. He’s spent the majority of his career working to bring greater human well-being and capacity to the Nations of the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR). As one of the architects of the GBR agreements and the Founder and President of Na̲nwak̲olas Council, he has built positive working relationships with all levels of government, industry, and philanthropic communities to balance conservation and sustainable economic development.

Shazia is an accomplished multilingual senior executive in highly transformative, multi-stakeholder complex technology driven projects. In Shazia’s 16 years with TELUS, she has held a variety of leadership roles across wireline and wireless businesses. In her current role as Vice President Customer Network Implementation, she is focused on accelerating fast and high quality broadband connectivity to boost community based economic and social outcomes with an intention to minimize the digital divide. She is honoured to support TELUS’ Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan which centers around leveraging TELUS’ world-leading networks, advanced technologies and innovative social solutions, to support the goals of Indigenous peoples.

Johnna is a member of the Musqueam First Nation. Her unique experience began as the Communication Protocol Officer in the Musqueam Indian Band and as Coordinator for the Musqueam Indian Band in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Her previous work experience and relationships built with development executives in Vancouver have led her to her current role as Indigenous Relations Advisor in Development. There, she spearheads a team of development coordinators actively participating in the development and municipal process and are fostering grassroots community engagement in the three partnering nations: Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.

John Stackhouse is a nationally bestselling author and one of Canada’s leading voices on innovation and economic disruption. He is senior vice-president in the Office of the CEO at Royal Bank of Canada, leading the organization’s research and thought leadership on economic, technological and social change. Previously, he was editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail and editor of Report on Business. He is a senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and sits on the boards of Queen’s University, the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada and the Literary Review of Canada. His latest book, Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future, explores the untapped resource of the millions of Canadians who don’t live here but exert their influence from afar.

Steven Stark serves on both the Legislature and the Executive Council for Tsawwassen First Nation. He is also a business owner and an avid fisherman and crabber that has been involved in various environmental studies along the Salish waterways. As a founding member of SSIGA, Steven seeks practical solutions that break the cycle of continual disadvantage faced by so many First Nations when it comes to development decisions and environmental assessments.

William George-Thomas (Hunas), is a 24-year old youth from Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). William graduated in 2020 from Queen’s University with a Bachelor’s Degree in political studies while also studying economics and global development. William has since become a member of TWN’s youth council and also the Cultural Program Manager under the Community Development department after graduating, where he practices and learns culture from his community’s elders and knowledge holders, and teaches and mentors younger generations in finding their confidence in culture.

Dennis Thomas “Whonoak” is a member and an elected Councillor of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (People of the Inlet) in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. Since working for his community as the coordinator for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Dennis pursued business with his Nation and managed several band-owned companies, including Takaya Tours. He also led new business ventures, including implementing the largest Solar array project to date in the North Shore. As a consultant, he was TWN Cultural Liaison for MST Development Corporation, where he ensured Tsleil-Waututh Nations' history and culture are at the forefront and rooted in the building structure, architectural design, and the overall public realm. He was recently selected by Business in Vancouver’s 2021 Top Forty under 40.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., has built a strong reputation as a bridge builder and champion of good governance and accountability. She served as Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville from 2015 to 2021, holding roles including Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, making her the first Indigenous person to serve in the portfolio. Prior to politics, Wilson-Raybould was a provincial crown prosecutor in Vancouver before being elected Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and later as BC Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2009. In 2021, Wilson-Raybould released her memoir "Indian" in the Cabinet, which became a #1 national bestseller. She is also the author of From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada.

Cory Waters has been the Chief Negotiator, North Area for the BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation since 2018. Born and raised in the Lekwungen territories of the Coast Salish peoples (Victoria), he has worked in indigenous relations and the public service and not-for-profit sector since 1992. His work with BC has previously included time with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Environmental Assessment Office, BC Parks and Tourism BC. He is passionate about reconciliation, team, empowerment, and collaboratively solving wicked problems. Husband and father/step-father of four (and new grandfather), Cory enjoys mountain biking and umpiring baseball in addition to cooking, eating and having fun in many forms!

Wendy Wickwire is an emeritus professor in the Department of History at the University of Victoria where she taught courses in oral history, colonial history, environmental history and the history of anthropology. Among her publications are Stein: The Way of the River (with Michael M’Gonigle); Write It On Your Heart: the Epic World of an Okanagan Storyteller (with Okanagan elder, Harry Robinson); Nature Power: In the Spirit of an Okanagan Storyteller (with Harry Robinson); Living By Stories: A Journey of Landscape and Memory (with Harry Robinson); and the multiple award-winning At the Bridge: James Teit and an Anthropology of Belonging. Wickwire lives with her partner, Michael M’Gonigle, in Central Saanich.

From 2017 to November 2020, Don was the Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service of British Columbia. His previous government service included positions as Secretary to the Treasury Board and as Deputy Minister in the Ministries of Forests, Trade and Investment, and Education in the Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments. Don has also worked as a senior private sector executive and as the President of BCIT.