Portrait
Name
Calvin Waquan
Location
Mikisew Cree First Nations, AB
Description
Calvin is a proud member of the Mikisew Cree people. Walking in two worlds, he has braided western and traditional teachings to benefit the community of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, and the Athabasca region. He moved back home in 2014 as a Community Liaison/substitute teacher at Athabasca Delta Community School in Fort Chip and to manage a local store. From 2017 to 2020, Calvin served as elected Councillor of the Mikisew Cree First Nation. His accomplishments included a leadership role in securing funding for a new water treatment for his people. During his term, he worked hard to build up Mikisew’s economic and environmental capacity to create a path towards sovereignty while making space at the table for environmental protection through indigenous inclusion.
He also served as a Director of Mikisew Group of Companies 2017-2020 and Co-Chair for Mikisew Government-Industry Relations, where he was a part of the 49 per cent interest deal in Suncor’s East Tank Farm Development (ETFD)(November 2017) and part of phase 1 of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park (March 2018).
Calvin was active in the 2018 founding and start-up of Three Nations Energy – a 100 per cent indigenous-owned partnership responsible for developing, owning and operating a 2.35 MW Fort Chipewyan Solar Farm. He also played a lead role in initiating several green energy/housing projects with Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Since early high school, Calvin has been passionate about protecting and stewarding Mother Earth and, specifically, the significance of Indigenous climate action as we transition into a climate-friendly world. Calvin was an early 20/20 Catalyst program participant with Indigenous Clean Energy. He now serves on the ICE Advisory Council and is a coach and mentor for the 20/20 catalyst program and the Generation Power Program. In 2021, he also acted as facilitator/host of Indigenous Clean Energy’s “Power hour” webinar.
Calvin has recently joined Greenplanet Energy Analytics as an Advisor, Technology Analyst and Community Educator. At the same time, he continues working with youth, elders and the community in Fort Chipewyan and beyond on a wide range of social, cultural and environmental initiatives.