The Indigenous-led Economy

Featured Participants

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  Cherie Brant

  Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law, BLG

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  Derek Nepinak

  Chief, Pine Creek First Nation

  Biography

  Derek Nepinak

  Niibin Makwa (Derek Nepinak) is Niigani Skaabe (lead helper/Chief) of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation) and a former grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Nepinak worked with BDO Canada & the Turtle Lodge to lead the Elder consultation for the development of the Kitigan Gamik Initiative with Growcer. Over the past few years, he has initiated several actions to raise awareness and spark conversations about Indigenous rights in Canada & Climate Change Adaptation and Readiness, including a 2017 120-kilometre “Walk to Remember” from the site of his mother’s residential school to his home First Nation & site of the former Pine Creek Indian Residential School, which is now being searched for unmarked graves.
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  Margaret Kenequanash

  CEO, Wataynikaneyap Power

  Biography

  Margaret Kenequanash

  Margaret Kenequanash has been CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power since August 2017: an Indigenous-led licensed transmission entity bringing grid connection to remote First Nation communities in northern Ontario currently powered by diesel generators. Margaret has a vast wealth of knowledge gleaned from over 20 years in various high-level positions, including being on the Sioux Lookout Municipal Council from 1990-1994 and Executive Director of the Shibogama First Nations Council from 2005-2017. Margaret carries the distinction of being the first female Chief in her community at North Caribou Lake First Nation when she was elected in 1996. She is well known and respected throughout First Nation communities and government for her work in promoting opportunities and better quality of life for First Nation peoples.
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  Hon. Jeanie McLean

  Yukon MLA, Minister of Education, Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate

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  Chief Crystal Smith

  Chief, Haisla Nation

  Biography

  Chief Crystal Smith

  Crystal Smith has served the Haisla people for 12 years through her work with Haisla Nation Council, starting as Executive Assistant to Chief and Council from 2009 to 2013, then being elected Chief Councillor in 2017. She holds business certificates from Northwest Community College and Thompson Rivers University. In November, 2019, she was named Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a group committed to encouraging First Nations development of the LNG industry to provide employment and other sustainable benefits for BC’s aboriginal people. She advocates for Haisla Nation-owned joint venture partnerships which allows for participation in major projects in Haisla territory. Using those opportunities provides a doorway for members to find rewarding work and educational opportunities to enhance their skills and improve social conditions in Haisla communities. Ultimately, she wants the work done today by her and all of the Council to benefit today’s 1700 Haisla people but future generations as well.
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  Hillary Thatcher

  Managing Director, Indigenous and Northern Investments, CIB

  Biography

  Hillary Thatcher

  Hillary Thatcher leads the CIB’s Indigenous and Northern Infrastructure investments team. She is part of the CIB’s senior team that provides advice to Indigenous and northern leaders, and structures investments that are consistent with the CIB’s focus on infrastructure in priority sectors – clean power, green infrastructure, transit, trade and transportation and broadband. Hillary joined the CIB from her role as the head of Innovation at Indigenous Services Canada. Prior to joining ISC, Hillary spent 15 years with the Ontario Public Service in senior roles across Indigenous Affairs, Energy and Infrastructure and Natural Resources. With significant experience in Indigenous relations, public policy and program delivery, Hillary has a proven track record of building linkages among government, industry and Indigenous interests. Hillary’s Métis heritage is from northern Alberta and has been an active member of the urban Indigenous community of Toronto through her volunteer roles at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Red Sky Performance and the Downie Wenjak Fund. Hillary graduated from Concordia University in Montreal and attended the Indigenous Governance graduate studies program at the University of Victoria.
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  Mark Podlasly

  Chief Sustainability Officer, First Nations Major Project Coalition

  Biography

  Mark Podlasly

  Mark Podlasly, a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, is the Chief Sustainability Officer at the First Nations Major Project Coalition, a 140 Nation organization dedicated to ensuring Indigenous environmental and economic values are incorporated into projects in traditional territories. Mark is also a director at Hydro One and a managing trustee of his First Nation’s mining revenue trust fund. Mark’s international experience includes the planning, permitting and construction of large capital projects related to energy, resource development and community infrastructure around the world. He has designed and delivered corporate strategy, leadership and globalization programs for a client list that includes GE, Unilever, General Mills, Clorox, Goldman Sachs, and Praxair. He is a frequent commentator about industry-Indigenous economic reconciliation, with writings covering ESG, climate change, economic wellbeing and governance. Mark holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.
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  Thomas Benjoe

  President & CEO, FHQ Developments

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  Corey Ellis

  Co-founder & CEO, Growcer

  Biography

  Corey Ellis

  Corey Ellis is the co-founder and CEO of Growcer, a socially minded company empowering communities to grow fresh, hyper-local produce year-round through its hydroponic modular farms. To date, communities and institutions have used Growcer farms to grow more than a million servings of local, nutritious greens across Canada. Growcer is a partner for the Kitigan Gamik Initiative which will include a land-based curriculum to provide hands-on education and training in areas of food and sustainability to Indigenous youth and is powered by the use of Growcer modular farms.
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  Hon. Marc Miller

  Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

  Biography

  Hon. Marc Miller

  The Honourable Marc Miller was first elected in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, in Montréal. He has previously served as Minister of Indigenous Services. Before entering politics, Minister Miller was a practising lawyer. He specialized in mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on international and commercial law, and worked in Montréal, Stockholm, and New York City. Previously, he served as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces. Minister Miller made history in 2017 when he delivered a statement in the House of Commons entirely in Mohawk, marking the first time the language had been spoken in either the House of Commons or Senate since Confederation. He has also been a forceful advocate for increased federal investment in affordable housing, public transit, and the Canada Child Benefit. Minister Miller has been involved in several charitable and pro bono legal initiatives. He has also authored articles on constitutional and human rights law. Minister Miller is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, where he earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science. He also graduated from McGill University with degrees in Common Law and Civil Law. Minister Miller was born and raised in Montréal.
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  Tabatha Bull

  President & CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business