Meet the Catalysts
Our 20/20 Catalysts family has deep roots.
Every year 20 new exceptional Catalysts from Indigenous communities across Canada join the program and become part of our growing family of Indigenous clean energy leaders.
All Catalysts
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Dakota Marsden
Pinaymootang First Nation, MB
Description
Boozhoo, Dakota nindizniikaaz. Pinaymootang nindoonjii. Makwa ndoodem. My name is Dakota, my Clan is the Bear, and I am from Pinaymootang First Nation.
I am an Anishinaabekwe from Treaty 2 Territory, a mother, and a student. I currently reside in Manitoba. I am employed as the PFN Lands Manager for my home nation. I completed the Indigenous Youth Policy School with Canadian Roots Exchange and was a part of the first cohort with the Generation Power program at Indigenous Clean Energy. I completed my Level 1 Lands training at Vancouver Island University, and I am currently enrolled in the Level 2 Lands training with NALMA. I am passionate about language, health, land, and sustainability.
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Tyler George
Ochapowace Nation, SK
Description
Headperson Tyler George is nehiyaw (cree) from Ochapowace Nation, which is on Treaty Four Territory, located in Saskatchewan. They are currently an elected leader for their nation, responsible for Laws and Justice, and co-chair for Lands and Natural Resources. They are also the youngest elected (26 years old) and the first two-spirit leader of their nation. They currently serve as the Chairperson for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National 2S+ Council. With their past experiences working in Treaty Protection, Policy, and Criminal & Civil Law, they have been an advocate for the protection of Treaty and Inherent Rights, and the protection of Two-Spirit LGBTQQIA+ people.
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Tara Dantouze
Timiskaming First Nation, QC
Description
Tara Dantouze, originally from Manitoulin Island, Ontario, blends her Denesuline and Anishnaabe heritage with a profound love for nature. A graduate of Laurentian University with a degree in Indigenous Studies, she co-founded The Wild Basket, crafting locally foraged goods. Tara’s passions extend to hockey, golf, cycling, fishing, and camping.
Currently, Tara works as the Natural Resources Manager for Timiskaming First Nation, where she continues her commitment to Indigenous land stewardship, and advocates for cultural preservation, environmental regeneration, and community empowerment.
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Stuart Michel
Rigolet, NFLD
Description
Stu is a member of the Upper Nicola Band, which is a part of the Syilx Nation in the southern interior of BC. Stu currently resides in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, where he currently holds the position of Community Energy Lead. Stu has a background in natural resources, mainly forestry.
In his role with the Nunatsiavut Government, Stu has the opportunity to work with the energy strategy team to create programs that will help Nunatsiavut become less reliant on the diesel generators that power the 5 communities.
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Montanna Labradore
Glooscap First Nation, NS
Description
Montanna Labradore is a proud Mi’kmaw from Glooscap First Nation. Her journey began with her studies in Fashion Design at Fanshawe College in Ontario. Throughout her time there, she became increasingly aware of the harmful impacts of the fashion industry, prompting her to explore deeper into the causes of climate change.
Despite lacking prior experience, Montanna felt compelled to apply for her current role as the Energy Coordinator at Glooscap Ventures. While still pursuing her passion for fashion in a sustainable manner, she recognized the benefits of renewable energy for her community and took this opportunity as a chance to make a meaningful difference. In her role, Montanna is passionate about cultivating sustainable practices that not only preserve the environment but also enhance the well-being and prosperity of her community. Outside of work, Montanna enjoys being creative, and enjoying herself surrounded by nature’s beauty.
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Melissa Cahoose
Ulkatcho First Nation, BC
Description
Melissa Cahoose is a proud Ulkatchot’en passionate about empowering youth and supporting community wellness and vibrancy. She is diving into the clean energy sector and embracing a new journey in energy sustainability and climate action. Melissa is actively working on many projects that support the implementation of Ulkatcho’s Community Energy Plan and overall goals related to climate resiliency. Through her efforts in clean energy and climate action, Melissa aims to meaningfully benefit Ulkatcho and inspire others to take action and support community goals culturally & traditionally as possible.
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Lori Saunders
Xeni Gwet’in First Nations, BC
Description
Lori Saunders, Ximximuslayc, is Sutslmc and Tsilhqot’in from the territories Kimsquit and Xeni Gwet’in. Lori is the Clean Energy Coordinator for Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government. She is a member of the Climate Action Network for Coastal First Nations and Great Bear Initiative.
Lori has completed the Indigenous Environmental Leadership Pathways Program at Royal Roads University. She has completed a Business Administration Certificate Program with Smith University and Queen’s University, and completed a Project Management Certificate Program with UBC Sauders. Lori has participated in the Global Youth Climate Training. This training is a collaboration between the Global Youth Coalition (GYC), a newly founded coalition of climate youth activists and researchers at the University of Oxford.
Lori has participated in the Canada World Youth Program in 2018. She attended as a volunteer/intern for approximately 4-months. The program was focused on international development where she developed her experience in project management, Spanish, leadership, communication, adaptability, gender equality, agriculture, cultural exchange and human rights. Lori finds joy in travelling and participating in cultural exchange opportunities. Lori has participated in the basic training program Bold Eagle, training provided by the Canadian Armed Forces in 2017.
Lori enjoys beading, practicing embroidery, weaving cedar bark, reading, and being out on the land. She loves learning about traditional medicine, cultural history, and traditional practices and protocols.
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Kristen Bear
Flying Dust First Nation, SK
Description
Kristen Bear is a proud Cree and Dene First Nations woman from Flying Dust First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. She grew up in Saskatoon, SK, and moved back to her home community shortly after receiving her Business Administration Diploma. Kristen has worked in many different government office settings with 4+ years’ experience. She has four beautiful children as her guiding motivation to her hard work and work ethic.
Kristen is currently in her third year of being the Energy Navigator for her home community of Flying Dust First Nation. In this position, she works with a team of eight other Energy Navigators to make up the nine communities of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. This grew her passion and dedication for clean energy, energy conservation practices, and focusing on a greener lifestyle. Kristen hopes to make an impact on her community with the community energy planning initiatives and ongoing community engagements. Kristen is also working with the SaskPower Energy Assistance Program, bringing more energy-conserving initiatives home by installing energy-saving products in FDFN band homes. The 20/20 Catalysts Program will provide Kristen with the skills and tools to help her community build more capacity, and create more clean energy projects back home.
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Kara Wilson
Quatsino First Nation, BC
Description
Kara was born and raised in Quatsino, BC. She started working in the clean energy sector with Cape Scott Wind LP, located within the 3 nations of the north island. Kara’s passion is staying and working in the clean energy industry to help her community, along with the surrounding communities, be successful with community led energy leaders.
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Jason Morningstar
Mississauga First Nation, ON
Description
Jason was born and raised on Mississauga First Nation. He moved to Kingston, Ontario at 21 years old to begin a career as a Federal Correctional Officer. After an extremely challenging testing process, at 23 years of age, Jason was successful in achieving a role on the Emergency Response Team (ERT) at a Federal Institution in Canada. Eventually he was encouraged by his team members to consider a leadership role, which he accepted. Jason is an exceptional thinker, great problem-solver, and has an invaluable skill set to build, mentor and establish relationships with everyone in his network, professionally and personally. This is partly due to having great role models and mentors throughout his correctional career.
Jason’s passion for Indigenous housing science, relationship building, and cultures was the inspiration that supported his graduation from a comprehensive two-year Home Inspection Program. He successfully completed the program in 2016, while maintaining the full-time role as a Federal Corrections officer, an ERT member, and a dedicated hockey coach to his two sons, Theron and Coden. After completing the Home Inspection program, Jason launched his Indigenous housing-centred business, Mspections Inc.
To date, Jason has worked in collaboration with leadership, management and thousands of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. His philosophy of educating through storytelling was inspired by his grandparents, whom he was close with throughout his life, until their passing in recent years. Since Mspections Inc.’s incorporation in 2016, Jason has been grateful to partner with many Indigenous and non-Indigenous nations and communities. Within these esteemed partnerships, some partners were accessible by ice road, boat or airplane. These partnerships/relationships have developed into large-scale projects to better inform the immediate and long-term health and housing programs in many communities. More specifically, Jason is the co-creator of the Healthy Home Model that centres Indigenous community-led health and housing programs and workshops for youth, families, and Elders in the community. This model focuses on teaching basic home maintenance through applied learning sessions and maintaining healthy habits through traditional medicines, cultural teachings, and applied learning with plants grown locally to sustain wellness in the community.
Over a decade of relationship-building and work-travel to many Indigenous communities as a housing consultant, has provided Jason with the valuable knowledge to support the needs of the most northern isolated communities in Canada. Many factors must be considered to thrive in Canada’s northern environments. One factor to consider is the clean energy conversation, which Jason has advocated for in negotiations with regional leadership delegates. The process to realise innovation solutions requires ongoing and sustained relationship-building within Indigenous communities. This process is a familiar protocol in Indigenous wise practices to community-led initiatives. Throughout these discussions, Jason effectively liaises between the organization and the Indigenous communities, in pursuit of establishing positive relationships, to present the opportunities to partner in expanding on the educational and training initiatives offered by Indigenous Clean Energy.
Although Jason was reluctant to submit a retirement letter to the ERT in his previous career, the period of comprehensive skill development that followed played a crucial role in further developing and refining Jason’s leadership qualities, relationship skills and solution-based philosophies. Moreover, community-based discussions and learning what community residents prioritize, enabled Mspections Inc. to build a network and catalyze long overdue changes to support Indigenous Peoples.
Jason is motivated to learn throughout the upcoming challenges and apply his teachings and experiences to support the ICE leadership and respective team members in their pursuits of positive change.
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Heather LeBlanc
Lower Sackville, NS
Description
Heather LeBlanc, Crane Clan, Anishinaabe, is a member of Sheshegwaning First Nation, ON, and is currently serving as a Community Champion for the Clean Energy and Equity Network in Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia. She holds two degrees, one in Drawing and Painting, reflecting her creative spirit, and more recently, in Psychology, embodying her dedication to understanding human behavior and well-being. While she may be new to the clean energy sector, Heather’s profound belief in the intrinsic connection between Indigenous peoples and the land drives her commitment to ensuring Indigenous voices are at the forefront of the clean energy transition.
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Gina Simon
Michipicoten First Nation, ON
Description
Gina Gasongi Simon is a proud member of the Wiikwemikoong Unceded Indian Reserve. She is a versatile individual with an extensive background in both education and life experiences. She has broken barrier after barrier, beginning with her own education and work experience that spans various industries. She currently works as the Community Energy Champion with Michipicoten First Nation and has been instrumental in assisting the community to understand their potential and opportunities in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency. Her goal is to provide future direction for energy plans and projects that create social, economic, political, and environmental benefits.
Gina’s experiences in the male-dominated industries have inspired her to continue blazing a trail for other Indigenous women and girls by providing mentorship, wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous women and is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure all women have a voice and are treated respectfully.
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Evan Belleau
Garden River First Nation, ON
Description
Evan Belleau is the Energy Advisor and Community Energy Champion for Garden River First Nation. He has been in this position since July of 2023. Evan is a graduate of the Sault College Business program, and his previous work experience includes working for local small businesses in the neighbouring city of Sault Ste Marie. In the role of Energy Advisor, Evan hopes to keep improving the already great education and capacity work of his predecessors and keep community energy projects moving towards completion. Evan enjoys keeping in shape; he can be seen walking in the community and at the community fitness centre. Evan lives in Garden River with his wife, son, 3 cats and dog.
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Desiree Maurice
Lac La Ronge Indian Band, SK
Description
In the heart of the vibrant land of Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan, an Indigenous woman named Desiree Maurice was born and raised, feeling the earth’s call and the whispers of her ancestors guiding her steps. As she matured, Desiree felt a stirring within her soul, leading her to a new journey in Lac La Ronge.
With unwavering determination and a profound connection to her heritage, Desiree embarked on a mission to carve a brighter future for her communities alongside the Pithesowiskotew Community Energy team. Guided by the wisdom of her elders and the teachings of the land, she embraced her role as a Community Energy Coordinator within the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Through enlightening workshops and tireless advocacy, Desiree champions the cause of clean energy and sustainability, nurturing a generation of future leaders passionate about environmental stewardship. Drawing from her deep well of experiences and the knowledge passed down by revered elders, Desiree’s dedication blossoms from a profound passion to uplift others on their journey towards realizing their dreams. As the sun sets over the northern communities, Desiree Maurice stands as a guiding light, igniting a beacon of change and opportunity, fueling a journey towards a harmonious and bountiful tomorrow for all.
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Demetri Scanie
Cold Lake First Nations, AB
Description
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Amber Big Plume
Tsuu T’ina Nation, AB
Description
Amber Big Plume, a proud member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role as Business Development and Projects Manager at First Nations Power Development Inc. With an undergraduate degree in Law and Society complemented by a minor in International Indigenous Studies from the University of Calgary, Amber’s academic background reflects her commitment to understanding and advancing Indigenous interests.
Currently pursuing her MBA at Simon Fraser University, Amber is dedicated to expanding her skill set and knowledge base to better serve Indigenous communities in the renewable energy sector.
At First Nations Power Development Inc., Amber plays a pivotal role in fostering Indigenous community ownership in the renewable energy sector, empowering communities to embrace sustainable energy solutions. Her work not only drives economic empowerment but also embodies principles of reconciliation and community capacity building.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Amber actively engages in community initiatives, serving on the Community Futures Treaty 7 advisory committee. Additionally, she offers her time as a peer mentor for Indigenous students at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, exemplifying her commitment to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
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Amanda Waquan
Mikisew Cree First Nation, AB
Description
My name is Amanda Waquan, and I’m honored to share a glimpse of my journey with you. As a proud member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation and a devoted mother to my 14-year honor student, family and community are at the heart of everything I do.
In all my endeavors, I am guided by the belief that the Earth is not given to us but lent to us, and it is our responsibility to leave it as we found it for future generations. This principle informs my approach to business and my commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
As I continue to strive for personal and professional growth, I’m guided by Ronald E. Osborn’s words: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” My aspirations extend beyond business; they encompass a commitment to lifelong learning, community engagement, and making a positive impact wherever I go.
I am grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead, and I look forward to connecting, collaborating, and growing together on this journey of discovery and achievement.
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Alex Cook
Iqaluit, NU
Description
Alex Cook is the owner of ArchTech, a 100% Inuit-owned and operated design-build firm focusing on affordable, efficient, and resilient, high-performance buildings for rapid deployment to remote arctic communities. He holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management and Leadership, from Saint Francis Xavier University. Alex has over 10 years of experience in the energy sector and is an Energy Champion in the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) and Catalyst with Indigenous Clean Energy. He is passionate about empowering indigenous communities to realize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of accelerating their transition toward a clean energy future.
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Tricia Bryant
Port Alberni, BC
Description
Tricia lives in Port Alberni, BC, where she was born and raised. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Vancouver Island University in 2013. Her Chartered Professional Accountant designation was in 2015, and she is currently working on completing her Local Government Administration Certificate. Tricia has spent four years in public accounting and seven years in municipal finance and asset management before shifting gears and joining Uchucklesaht Tribe Government as Funding Specialist in 2022. She finds a huge sense of reward in working with local First Nations and seeing her efforts providing direct benefit to the Uchucklesaht community. Early in life, she learned to appreciate being surrounded by nature and spends her summers camping in the woods all over Vancouver Island. Her goals are to incorporate fiscal, social, and environmental responsibility in not only the Uchucklesaht community but all communities in the region, and to do her best to reduce climate change and create a brighter future for her son and younger generations. She is looking forward to seeing the direct benefits of Indigenous Clean Energy and a reduction in diesel power in the Uchucklesaht territory.
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Tiran Smallboy-Zorthian
Mountain Cree Camp, AB
Description
Tiran Smallboy-Zorthian comes from Mountain Cree Camp, formally known as Smallboy’s Camp. He is a firm believer in spirituality and the traditional teachings of his community. He completed his high school diploma in 2019 from Kisiko Awasis School in his community. Before the introduction of the ICE and IODI, he travelled throughout U.S. and Canada, competing as a dancer and singer within the Powwow circles. He has become a skilled native artisan/entrepreneur, crafting native artifacts such as drums, jewelry, and powwow regalia. He is open-minded and ready to engage more with his home community to contribute to the children’s future and growth personally. It’s the children of his home community that strongly inspire him to become a better version of himself.
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Tara Everett
Winnipeg, MB
Description
𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘻𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘻 𝘻𝘩𝘢𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨. (𝘔𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩.) 𝘊𝘩𝘪 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘴 𝘒𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘰 𝘰𝘫𝘪𝘣𝘸𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨. (𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘫𝘪𝘣𝘸𝘦.) 𝘕𝘪𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘸𝘢 + 𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘢𝘬. (𝘔𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘳 + 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦) Tara Everett is a Two-Spirit (she/her/they) Anishinabe Auntie, and 60s Scoop Survivor. As the founder of Canoe Coworking Inc, her work has built bridges internationally since 2018. She is known to unite communities focused on building sustainable, Indigenous-led knowledge traditions and practices. In 2019, Tara was selected as a Canadian Youth Delegate for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting her work towards Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. As a 2022 certificate graduate of Social Innovation and Community Development, she is dedicated to developing the capacity to create healthy, vibrant, equitable, and inclusive communities worldwide.
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Shane Bellegarde
Little Black Bear’s First Nation, SK
Description
Shane Bellegarde is a member of Little Black Bear’s First Nation, located in South Eastern Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 Territory. Shane has been a performer for most of his life and is a multi-disciplinary artist with a special love of music, stories, and beadwork. Shane currently works for his home community as the Economic Development Projects Manager, and he sits on the Justice and Community Safety Planning Committees. Prior to his current role, Shane spent a decade working in the social work field as a Youth Care Worker and then as a Family Treatment Leader. Shane is passionate about working for his community, and he is especially excited about growing the food sovereignty and green energy projects within his portfolio.
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Serena Mendizabal
Six Nations of the Grand River, ON
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Serena Mendizabal (she/her) is a Cayuga Wolf Clan Panamanian woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Serena is a community-based researcher and grassroots organizer. Serena recently graduated from a Master of Geography & Environment with a focus on Indigenous environmental health governance alongside Pictou Landing First Nation and Tobique First Nation. Serena first began her journey in clean energy when she was 18 working in community engagement and communications at the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. While working in community engagement, she found gaps in community consent with her community’s clean energy portfolio and went on to further explore what a true ‘just transition’ can look like in a community of over 28,000 members. From there on out, Serena has dedicated her studies and extracurriculars to Indigenous self-determination, climate change, environmental health impact and just clean energy transitions. Serena’s connections to climate advocacy, research, education, and direct action are numerous.
Serena is the Co-Chair of the SevenGen National Indigenous Youth Energy Council, a Subject Matter Expert on Connecting for Climate Change Action, a Youth Action & Environment Fellow with the Lawson Foundation, and an Indigenous consultant with Iron & Earth, a labour-focused clean energy transition organization. Serena also works with Protect the Tract, a Haudenosaunee-led group in her community, Six Nations, focused on enforcing the traditional governance (the Haudenosaunee Confederacy)’s moratorium on development along the Grand River (Haldimand Tract). Serena’s main focus is her role as Program Assistant at Sacred Earth Solar, an organization founded on empowering frontline Indigenous communities with solar energy and healing justice. Serena is passionate about self-determined community development, action, and futures, and believes in a future with Indigenous youth & elders leading; sovereign, healthy nations; and lands and waters back.
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Patrick Butler
Unakma’ki (Cape Breton), NS
Description
Patrick Butler is the Senior Energy & Mines Advisor with Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office. He has been with the organization since August 2020. He previously worked on Sustainable Marine Energy’s demonstration in-stream tidal project in Grand Passage and for his community of Potlotek as a Fishery Guardian. Patrick enjoys hiking, being on the water and spending time with his three nieces and three godsons. He currently resides in Unakma’ki (Which is the Mi’kmaw word for land of fog, also known as Cape Breton).
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Michael Polak
Pictou Landing First Nation, NS
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Michael is Mohawk, Bear Clan with Ancestry in Tyendinaga on his mother’s side and Polish on his father’s side. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors, Glooscap Ventures, Executive Director, Pictou Landing First Nation, and President, Akwekon Enterprises. Michael is a person of principles, passionate about solving problems, innovation, design and traditional teachings. Michael has a BComm with a focus in Macro Economics from St.Mary’s University, A Master of Management & Innovation from Queen’s University and a certificate in Disruptive Technology. Persistently curious, Michael enjoys attempting to understand the mechanics of human-made systems and how to align them better with nature-made systems and the natural world.
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Michael Marty
Frog Lake First Nation, AB
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Michael is a member of Frog Lake First Nation. He is a Natural Resource Technology student who has a very passionate heart about making his reservation self-sufficient and independent in the clean energy field. With projects in the; Green hydrogen, solar pannel, hemp, wind, drone mapping and electric vehicles, he hopes to be able to help his reservation become a pioneer in protecting and maintaining a clean environment in Alberta. His number one reason for getting into this field of work is so that generations of generations are able to live and practice their culture on mother earth for centuries to come. He feels it is important as an Indigenous man to protect our earth as our ancestors once did many years ago; being independent and self-sustainable in our communities is one huge step in continuing the hard work our ancestors once did for us.
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Maureen Ward-Caisse
Ermineskin Cree Nation, AB
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Maureen Ward-Caisse was born and raised in Maskwacis, AB and is a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, which is one of the four First Nations in Maskwacis. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Commerce Undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta in 2007 and a Master’s of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in 2021. Maureen is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc. (NGCI), which is the corporate division of Ermineskin Cree Nation. She has been with NGCI since 2013 and started as the VP of Operations until 2020. Maureen is proud of the business developments NGCI has accomplished in the past 10 years. More recently, the vision of NGCI is to become a leader in renewable energy in First Nation communities. This is becoming reality with the 1MW Sundancer Solar Farm, with plans to twin the solar farm to 2MW and another major solar project which will soon be announced publicly. Maureen is excited to learn more about the extensive areas of renewable energy and its rewards.
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Jamie Pond
Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, BC
Description
Jamie is of mixed heritage, including both First Nations and Irish origins. She is the Capital Projects Manager for Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and is passionate about working in the clean energy and climate action fields. Jamie has a Bachelor’s degree from Thompson Rivers University, majoring in management and has more than 14 years of experience working and living on reserve. The main objective for Jamie is to serve First Nations toward independence and mentor young people into an effective team focused on reducing our environmental footprint.
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LJ Gibbons
Sanirajak, NU
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Laura-Jeannie was born and raised in the arctic community of Igloolik, Nunavut and now resides in Sanirajak, Nunavut. Her journey has taken her to many different places and through many different life/career experiences. L-J is currently working as a Community Liaison with Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation, a 100% Inuit-owned clean energy developer in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut. In her role with Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation, L-J wants to engage communities to understand the community priorities better and help determine how renewable energy can align with the overall goals. As an avid volunteer in her community, her goal is to improve the lives of Nunavummiut across the Qikiqtani region.
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Jayden Fisher
Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, ON
Description
Jayden Fisher is a member of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation), an Ojibway community and signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty, located on the Western Shoreline of Lake Nipigon in Northwestern Ontario. With an Advanced Diploma in Interactive Media Development, Jayden is a multi-talented worker and has been fortunate to work in various capacities. Jayden currently works in Food Security and Clean Energy projects within her Nation and sits on multiple Indigenous-led advisory circles. She is also a participating youth in the ImaGENation Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program. While working within her Nation, sitting on advisory circles and leading/participating in various programs, she has gained valuable skills and hands-on experience in community engagement, project management, youth involvement and food sovereignty. With a strong connection to the land, Jayden has always been passionate about sustainable living and encouraging her peers to live more eco-consciously. From helping start a recycling program and a greenhouse project in high school to advocating for campus sustainability in post-secondary schooling, she is now tackling educating her peers and community on sustainability and waste management. Jayden is creative, works hard, learns quickly and constantly strives to grow through new experiences. She is always up to the opportunity to create experiential and meaningful connections within and for her Nation. She is a person of few words, but beneath her calm exterior beats the heart of a passionate and altruistic individual. May the force be with you.
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Jamie Gorman
Neqotkuk First Nation, NB
Description
Jamie Gorman is a proud and passionate Wolastoqiyik member of Neqotkuk First Nation. He has worked for his community in various capacities: farming, fishing, IT, archaeology, and environmental monitoring. He is currently the Resource Development Consultation Coordinator working for his community on behalf of the Nation. Consultation touches on so many areas – mines, pipelines, dams, nuclear to provincial forest strategy as well as the implementation of moderate livelihood fishing and protected areas. His community has had so many forms of extractive industry imposed on its territory and people, so they now have the space and desire to transform outdated models of economic development into new transformative clean energy projects to support land back initiatives. Land and energy are braided, and the sustainable use of both is essential to reconciliation. Tapping into an existing network of Indigenous excellence that has driven forward clean energy projects is a tremendous opportunity for Jamie, which he hopes to bridge to his community and Nation.
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Jamie Evic
Pangnirtung, NU
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Jamie Evic is the Senior Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Pangnirtung. He grew up in Pangnirtung, Nunavut and lived most of his days in Pangnirtung. He has 4 beautiful daughters (Sophie, Caitlin, Jasmine and Myra), and he looks after my nephew (Ruben), that are in full support of him with his job. He has a busy schedule with work and family, and trying to find a balance between the two is a challenge sometimes.
He started his career with the Municipality of Pangnirtung in 2009 as an Interim Finance officer and worked his way up to the top of the ladder. Over this period, he has seen many different kinds of projects within the Municipality but not a lot of off-diesel programs. Since he became SAO with the Municipality, he wanted to make changes and wanted to explore more solar or anything that is not using diesel. The COVID lockdown prevented him to explore more into this project, but he managed to get one done. They successfully installed 10 solar panels in their recreation facility (Ice hockey rink) back in 2020. They are now exploring with the consultant to install more solar panels in that facility this summer.
With this off-diesel program, He is looking forward to having more ideas about what he can do to get off-diesel and about what other communities are doing. This will open more opportunities within his community that are already starting the Comprehensive Community Planning, and this will be part of the planning. The CCP will be community-driven and a great opportunity to form a small committee with this IODP. Jamie says he has so many ideas, and he wants to reach out to the public and have their voice heard at the political level.
Since he became Senior Administrative Officer, he wanted to see more projects that are community-driven, not all by Hamlet staff or the councillors, he wants to see more public input that will be used by officials (Hamlet) to make short and long-term plans.
Portrait
Name
Grace Nakimayak
Hamlet of Paulatuk, NT
Description
Grace Nakimayak is the clean energy coordinator for the Paulatuk Energy Working Group. She started in this role in October 2021 to carry out the clean energy ambitions of the working group, which includes community leaders from the Hamlet of Paulatuk, Hunters and Trappers Committee, Elders Committee and Paulatuk Community Corporation. Grace is a proud Inuvialuit woman, born in Yellowknife and grew up living in various places across country including NWT, BC, and Ontario. She moved back home to Paulatuk in 2016, which is a fly-in-only community on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Grace is passionate about helping her community reduce their cost of living as well as improve the quality of life, developing economic opportunities and implementing initiatives to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In her free time, she loves getting out on the land, hunting, camping and fishing.
Portrait
Name
Edward Van Mierlo
Tahltan Nation, BC
Description
Portrait
Name
Drew Bernard
Lennox Island First Nation, PEI
Description
Drew Bernard is the Energy Lead and proud member of Lennox Island First Nation in Prince Edward Island. Graduating from Holland College in 2021 in the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program, Drew realized a need for work to be done in his community to combat climate change. Fast forward to 2023, Drew has completed an extensive energy opportunities assessment, had energy efficiency audits completed on all on-reserve houses and buildings, installed 65 heat pumps to begin heating electrification, and has partnered with PEI’s sole power provider to complete a utility scale solar array by 2025 that will offset Lennox Island’s emissions by 10:1. Drew has future aspirations to build an on-reserve microgrid and band-owned utility that will bring true sovereignty to his small but mighty First Nation in Canada’s smallest province.
Portrait
Name
Calvin Trout
Lac Seul First Nation, ON
Description
Calvin is from Lac Seul First Nation. He has over 20 years of experience in carpentry/renovations/building. He has more than 10 years of experience as foreman/supervisory skills. Calvin is an avid hunter and fisherman. He is passionate about traditional culture and enjoys camping and RVing. He loves the outdoors, meeting new people, and establishing a great network of acquaintances.
Portrait
Name
Christina Jackpine
Mississauga First Nation, ON
Description
I am a soon-to-be first time Mother representing Mississauga First Nation, a Northern Ontario community in between Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie. I am Ojibwe and Cree. I moved from Mississauga First Nation in 1998 and returned home in 2018 to begin my healing journey and work for my community. I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, fishing, camping and hunting. I also kayak and snowshoe. I live in Blind River but hope to one day build an off-grid home on our traditional territory for my little family and I. This passion for off-grid living and sustainability has trickled into my employment as a Community Energy Champion for MFN which I started in March 2022. I understand the connection between energy and the environment and care very deeply about becoming sustainable. Throughout my life I gained great respect for Shkaagamik Kwe (Mother Earth) and wish my future work and learning reflects that.
Portrait
Name
Wesley Lines
Location
Yellowknives Dene First Nation, NWT
Description
Wesley Lines is a member of Yellowknives Dene First Nation and grew up in Ndilǫ, Northwest Territories. He is an Electrical Engineer working at BC Hydro. Wesley holds a master’s degree in Clean Energy Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is a Certified Energy Manager.
He’s very passionate about developing clean energy projects to offset diesel consumption in off-grid communities. He believes these projects can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the likelihood of environmental spills, reduce energy costs, and bring economic prosperity to Indigenous nations. He is keenly interested in the technical and economic modeling of integrating high penetration renewables with battery storage in diesel microgrids.
Portrait
Name
Una Gott
Location
Sandy Lake First Nation, ON
Description
Una is a single mother of two very special boys. She’s worked very hard to get where she is in life because of them. She has graduated from Confederation College in 2015 studying Police Foundations. She is a firm believer of leaving the world a better place for the children. She currently lives in her hometown of Sandy Lake and proud to represent that. Una has been working as the Community Energy Adviser since December 2015 and will be hitting the five-year mark. She truly enjoys what she does, loves working towards a goal, and she loves the entire process of the learning journey.
Portrait
Name
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza
Location
Fort Nelson First Nation, BC
Description
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is a proud Dene woman from the Fort Nelson First Nation, BC Treaty 8 Territory. Born and raised in her community, Taylor returned home the day after her last exam of her Health and Physical Education degree to work towards her vision of making her community a better place to live for everyone. Coming from a health and recreation background and years of experience working with Indigenous youth on and off-reserve, clean energy is a new but exciting field, that Taylor is honoured to be working on. She is currently the Community Liaison and Research Coordinator for her Nations Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project. Repurposing the Clarke Lake gas field into a sustainable, geothermal project has potential to revolutionize the north and bring food and energy security to her nation.
Embracing her role as a youth has allowed Taylor to advise and speak to issues that affect Indigenous youth at every level of government and society. Taylor’s biggest honour is co-chairing the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council. Building up other young people to be leaders in their communities and beyond is the most meaningful work she has done. Other interests of hers are life promotion, treaty rights and land-based wellness.