The Indigenous-led Economy

Featured Speakers

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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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  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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  Hon. Patty Hajdu

  Minister of Indigenous Services

  Biography

  Hon. Patty Hajdu

  The Honourable Patty Hajdu was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2015. Appointed to cabinet by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately after the 2015 election, she has served as Minister of Status of Women, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Minister of Health, and is currently the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. Highlights of her work in her cabinet roles include launching the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; the establishment of a National Strategy to End Gender Based Violence; the creation of legislation to protect federal workers from harassment and violence in the workplace, modernization of the Federal Labour Code, the establishment of pay equity legislation for federal workers; leading Canada’s efforts through the Covid-19 pandemic; and most recently, reaching an historic agreement-in-principle for the compensation of Indigenous children harmed by the inequities in the child welfare system. Before entering politics, Minister Hajdu was the Executive Director of Shelter House Thunder Bay, launching the SOS Street Outreach Service during her tenure and was the author of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy. She also worked in public health and focused on drug policy, youth development, and homelessness. Her core values centre around compassion, equity, and the conviction that Canada is stronger when everyone has a fair chance to succeed. She is known for her honest and direct advocacy on behalf of her constituents and stakeholders. Focused on improving opportunities, strengthening relationships, and healing systemic issues at a grassroots level, Patty will tell you that each and every one of us has the power to make our communities stronger, fairer and kinder.
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  Shannin Metatawabin

  CEO, National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Assoc.

  Biography

  Shannin Metatawabin

  Shannin Metatawabin is Cree/Inninow from the Peetabeck Community of the Mushkegowuk Nation and is the father of four children. He is CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), an organization representing a national network of 58 Indigenous Financial Institutions that spur economic growth through loans to small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses. Informed by his vision of Indigenous self-reliance, Shannin has increased support to the Indigenous lending network by over half a billion dollars during his tenure at NACCA. He is firmly grounded in his Cree worldview and language and has served as an entrepreneur, commercial lender, business/community developer, and management consultant, assisting with well-over 300 Indigenous business start-ups and expansions. Shannin is a tireless advocate for meaningful economic reconciliation, creating investment vehicles such as the Indigenous Growth Fund and Indigenous Prosperity Foundation to connect private and philanthropic investors with Indigenous projects. Prior to joining NACCA, he served as Manager of the Aboriginal Affairs and Sustainability with DeBeers and Executive Director of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation. With a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Carleton University and ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management, Shannin is an exceptional communicator – equally at ease speaking with community members, non-Indigenous governments and investors, and international audiences such as the United Nations.
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  Dr. Alika Lafontaine

  President, Canadian Medical Association

  Biography

  Dr. Alika Lafontaine

  Dr. Alika Lafontaine (MD, FRCPC) is an award-winning physician, social innovator, and the first Indigenous doctor listed in Medical Post’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors. He was born and raised in Southern Saskatchewan with a mixed Indigenous ancestry of Metis, Anishinaabe, Cree and Pacific Islander. Alika has served in provincial and national medical leadership positions for almost two decades. In August 2022, he became the first Indigenous physician to serve as President of the Canadian Medical Association, the national voice of Canada’s physicians. From 2013 to 2017 Dr. Lafontaine co-led the Indigenous Health Alliance project, one of the most ambitious health transformation initiatives in Canadian history. Led politically by Indigenous leadership representing more than 150 First Nations across three provinces, the alliance successfully advocated for $68 million of federal funding for Indigenous health transformation in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. He was recognized for his work in the alliance by the Public Policy Forum, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented the award. In 2020, Dr. Lafontaine co-founded Safespace Networks with his brother Kamea, an Indigenous dentist and software developer. Safespace Networks is a Web 3.0 learning platform for safe and anonymous reporting of healthcare harm and waste. Patients and providers use the platform to share their lived and observed experiences, providing insights into healthcare systems without risk of retaliation. These insights can be used by patients to better navigate health systems, or by decision-makers, advocates, and funders to make better informed decisions. Dr. Lafontaine continues to practise anesthesia in Northern Alberta.
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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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  Mihskakwan James Harper

  Business Development Manager, NRStor Inc.

  Biography

  Mihskakwan James Harper

  Mihskakwan James Harper is a proud citizen of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 8, Alberta. He is currently the Business Development Manager at NRStor Inc., where he champions developing large-scale energy storage and clean microgrid projects in a way that empowers communities and contributes to meaningful climate action. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Manitoba and has recently completed a Masters of Science in Renewable Energy from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Ecole Polytechnique, with entrepreneurial training from ESADE Business School. He is a part of the SevenGen council, an organization that develops and leads programs for Indigenous youth to lead in clean energy and climate action. He also is a co-host for the podcast, Decolonizing Power, a series that aims to amplify voices worldwide on how clean energy enables authentic community empowerment. This experience combined with the 20/20 Catalyst program, he is passionate about the carbon free future, particularly within the power and mobility sectors. He loves his family and his community now and generations ahead, which inspires him to work with youth to build a future that is sustainable and empowers all.
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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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  Khelsilem

  Chairperson, Squamish Nation

  Biography

  Khelsilem

  Khelsilem is a prominent Indigenous leader and current Chairperson of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). First elected to Council in 2017, Chairperson Khelsilem was an official Spokesperson and active in leading work on various projects and initiatives, including developing an affordable housing not-for-profit that is building 1,000 units of subsidized affordable homes and the 6,000-market apartment development at his Nation’s Sen̓áḵw lands, the largest Indigenous housing development in Canadian history. Chairperson Khelsilem’s lifelong work has focused on progressive social change, including climate justice, social democracy and gender equity. Chairperson Khelsilem brought this passion for change when he became leader of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) in 2021. Chairperson Khelsilem has been a strong advocate for democratic reform, good governance, and policy change that addresses the material needs & conditions of his people. Chairperson Khelsilem sits on numerous boards and advisory committees for foundations and governments. He was previously a board member with Vancity Credit Union and a member of the BC Climate Solutions Council as well as the Co-Chair of the City of Vancouver’s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Taskforce. Chairperson Khelsilem is a fluent speaker of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh – the Squamish People’s original language, and before serving the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), he was a Lecturer at Simon Fraser University in an Indigenous Language Education program he built to help train a new generation of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language speakers. Chairperson Khelsilem currently resides in Vancouver.
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  Angel Ransom

  Senior Vice-President, Environmental Services, FNMPC

  Biography

  Angel Ransom

  Well known for her proactive, holistic & culturally sensitive perspective, Angel Ransom is a member of the Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation and part of the Kwun Ba Whut’en Clan. Aside from being a principal to her consulting firm, she is also the Director of Operations and Impact Assessment Lead for the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) and an Adjunct Professor with the School of Environmental Planning at the University of Northern British Columbia. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning (First Nations Planning) her skills, knowledge and experience include land use planning; environmental assessments; communication and facilitation; technical research, analysis and writing; and resources management.
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  Chief Ghislain Picard

  Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador

  Biography

  Chief Ghislain Picard

  Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador Mr. Ghislain Picard is Innu from the community of Pessamit. He has been the AFNQL Regional Chief since 1992. As AFNQL Chief, he sits on the Assembly of First Nations’ Executive Committee and Management Committee and he is the spokesperson for the Comprehensive claims, Urban population and International Issues portfolios.
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  Cole Crook

  Vice President, Indigenous Relations, ATCO Group

  Biography

  Cole Crook

  Vice President, Indigenous Relations, ATCO Group
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  Joe Dion

  Former Chief of Kehewin; CEO & Director, Western Indigenous Pipeline Group;, and Former Chairman & CEO of Frog Lake Energy Resources

  Biography

  Joe Dion

  Former Chief of Kehewin; CEO & Director, Western Indigenous Pipeline Group;, and Former Chairman & CEO of Frog Lake Energy Resources
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  Misko Kijig McGregor

  Manager, Indigenous Initiatives at CPA Canada | Member, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg

  Biography

  Misko Kijig McGregor

  Manager, Indigenous Initiatives at CPA Canada | Member, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
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  Karen Restoule

  Co-Founder, BOLD Realities; Creator, Whose.Land; Board at Banff Forum & Canadian Club Toronto; & VP, Crestview Strategies

  Biography

  Karen Restoule

  Karen Restoule is a Vice President at Crestview Strategy. Karen is an expert at fostering collaboration among parties by identifying common goals and objectives to bring divergent views together to develop partnerships and shared success. She offers expertise in organizational governance, transformational leadership, change management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Crestview Strategy, Karen led an environmental consulting firm working with Indigenous communities towards self-determination, building on a previous role serving First Nations leadership at Chiefs of Ontario where she advanced innovative policy solutions to legacy challenges. She also recently led the modernization of Ontario’s administrative justice system at Tribunals Ontario. Karen is committed to advancing projects to create a brighter economic future for the country. She co-founded BOLD Realities, leading initiatives to advance economic reconciliation. In 2018, they partnered with TakingITGlobal to launch www.whose.land, a web-based mobile app that provides users with information about Indigenous territories. A graduate of the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa’s French Common Law Program, Karen was the youngest and most recent graduate to be inducted into the Faculty of Law’s Honour Society in 2014 for using legal education as a foundation for making significant contributions to society. She was named Public Policy Forum’s 2018 Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow and received CivicAction’s 2018 Emerging Leader Award. Karen sits on governance boards for the Banff Forum and Canadian Club Toronto, and advisory bodies for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase, and Connected North. She serves on juries for both The Donner Prize and The Hunter Prize and is a contributing writer at thehub.ca Karen is Ojibwe from Dokis First Nation and a beneficiary of the Robinson-Huron Treaty, 1850.