Governance
Indigenous Clean Energy is governed by a Board of Directors and an Indigenous Advisory Council that provide oversight and input to ensure programming brings the maximum benefits to Indigenous Peoples.
Portrait
Name
Cara Sanders (Chair)
Company
Askii Environmental Inc.
Location
Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario
Description
Cara Sanders is a band member of the Curve Lake First Nation and has vast experience in environmental projects and Federal and Provincial environmental assessments (EA), responsibilities range from data collection to project management to report writing. Cara completed the Catalyst 20/20 program in 2016 and has since followed her dream to work with First Nation communities in Ontario. Cara presently has projects in motion with four communities and has proposal out with many more Nations. In the winter of 2018 Cara was awarded to CERRC bioheat projects which have grown to both having a sawmill and winter wood program. The synergy and employment opportunities for both the remotes was a perfect fit. As a First Nation woman Cara believes strongly in supporting the needs of other First Nations and in protecting our Mother Earth.
For the past many years, she has been working very hard to build relationships with communities in Ontario and to help them with things that they want and need relating to energy. The lessons learned and the people that were met in the 20/20 program have empowered her to be able to achieve the things that she has. But she believes this is only the beginning for her. She believes there is so much more to learn and share. Being asked to be a mentor and now a member of the Advisory committee is such an honour and a blessing. She is forever grateful for what she has learned and the path that she is on.
Portrait
Name
Kory Wood
Company
Kikinaw Energy Services Ltd.
Location
Saulteau First Nations, British Columbia
Description
Kory Wood is a proud member of Saulteau First Nations in BC Treaty 8 Territory. President of Kikinaw Energy Services Ltd. (Kikinaw), Kory is a Class-A Master Electrician and holds a Master of Business Administration. For four years, Kory worked with youth from Blueberry River First Nations. Through this work, he found a passion for working with and supporting the self-determination of Indigenous people. This passion is something he has continued to do through volunteering and mentorship. In recent years, Kory has taken an interest in ESG strategies and believes that all Canadian businesses must advance reconciliation and redress the legacy of residential schools (ESGR). Kory avidly supports capacity-building in Indigenous communities through training, employment, and contracting opportunities. As the president of Kikinaw, Kory is actively involved in promoting local industry, encouraging women in energy, and Indigenous education and engagement. Kikinaw is a 100% Indigenous-owned maintenance and construction contractor providing electrical, wind energy construction, and wind energy operation and maintenance services. In 2018, Kikinaw was presented with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award at the BC Indigenous Business Awards. Kikinaw has deep roots in Northern BC and is headquartered in West Kelowna, BC. Through Kory’s leadership, Kikinaw pursues its vision to “Inspire a Clean Future in Energy.” Currently, Kikinaw has clean energy contracts from coast to coast. Kory is on the Board of Directors for Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) and an Advisory Committee Member for the World Trade Centre Vancouver. He also collaborates with non-profit organizations to develop strategies to increase the participation of women in renewable energy across Canada. Kory resides in Kelowna, BC, with his wife and two children and loves to spend time outdoors golfing, hiking, skiing, and playing hockey in the winter months.
Portrait
Name
Mihskakwan James Harper
Company
NRStor Inc.
Location
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Manitoba
Description
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 Master 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.
Portrait
Name
Bill Williams
Company
Nunavut Economic Developers Association
Location
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Description
Originally from Dorchester, Ontario, Bill Williams is a past Catalyst (2018 cohort). He is the current Executive Director of the Nunavut Economic Developers Association (NEDA), a membership-driven organization assisting community Economic Development Officers (EDOs) and economic development professionals in Nunavut. Before joining NEDA and moving to Iqaluit, Bill worked for the Hamlet of Kugluktuk as the Economic Development Officer. During this time, with direction from the Hamlet council, Bill was the lead on the Kugluktuk Solar and Efficiency projects.
Portrait
Name
Jordyn Burnouf
Company
Métis Nation – Saskatchewan
Location
Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan
Description
Jordyn Burnouf is a Black Lake First Nation member and grew up in the Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse. Jordyn has committed over 12 years to empowering and building capacity for Indigenous youth. Jordyn was recently awarded Saskatchewan’s Women of Distinction Award for her work with community as an avid volunteer, community builder, and youth mentor. Jordyn is a founding member of the non-profit organization SaskATF, which supports youth participation in sport and is a Track & Field Coach for the 2020 North American Indigenous Games. Jordyn is an Associate with Medicine Rope Strategies (M-R Strategies), a consulting business dedicated to providing sustainable, practical and innovative approaches to community, economic and strategic partnership development. With a strong passion and relationship with the land, Jordyn is currently working on clean energy initiatives focusing on community engagement, cultural inclusion, and youth. Jordyn continues to advocate and create space for youth and women in the energy sector in Canada through her new role as a member of Indigenous Clean Energy’s Advisory Council.
Portrait
Name
Grant Sullivan
Company
Nihtat Energy Ltd.
Location
Gwich’in, Yukon
Description
Grant has lived in the Beaufort Delta region for most of his life and understands the need for knowledge, understanding and caution as we endeavour to not only protect our environment but to safely expand and support resource development in our Region. He has seen the effects of climate change on lands, mountains, rivers and traditional lifestyles. He believes that clean energy development will assist residents of small communities to understand the value, cost-effectiveness, and application of clean energy initiatives to meet their energy needs and enhance their commitment to protecting the environment, land and resources.
As President of NEL, Grant has served as overall Project Lead/Coordinator for several renewable energy projects advanced by either Nihtat Corporation or NEL since 2018. This includes providing oversite/ direction in this capacity for the following projects: Inuvik High Point Wind Study (2016-2018), Multi-residential Solar Net Metering Demonstration project (January 2018-September 2019), Commercial Solar PV Installations in NWT and Nunavut (April 2018-May 2020). Work on each of these projects was initially advanced by Nihtat Corporation and then undertaken by NEL starting in May 2019.
Grant was a 20/20 Catalyst (2016) and is currently participating as an Energy Champion in the Indigenous Off-grid Diesel Initiative (IODI). Through NEL, Grant was the first Energy Champion in the IODI program to be awarded an $800,000 prize towards the pursuit of renewable energy initiatives. Through this initiative, NEL is pursuing a series of staged developments in the Beaufort Delta region in 2021 and 2022, including the implementation of a solar project at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF) site near Inuvik in 2021; a 150 kV Solar PV Installation in Aklavik, also in 2021; and planning for a 1 MW grid-connected solar farm in Inuvik to be completed in 2022.
As a Gwich’in participant, Grant has also been active in several Gwich’in organizations.This includes Gwich’in Settlement Corporation, Chair (responsible for 140 million in assets) (2012-2016); participation in Gwich’in/ Imperial Oil access and benefits negotiations regarding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline; and lead business representative and board representative on the Nihtat Gwich’in Development Board. He was also the Executive Director of Gwich’in Council International (2012 – May 2019).
Through these experiences, Grant has gained extensive experience and knowledge of the business community, arctic logistics and Indigenous governments in the Beaufort-Delta region.
The ICE Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from across Canada who have extensive backgrounds in clean energy project development and implementation and executive management experience.
The Board of Directors steers the organization’s operations to ensure fiscal responsibility and raise awareness about Indigenous Clean Energy’s mission and vision.
Board of Directors
Indigenous Advisory Council
The Indigenous Advisory Council is national in scope in terms of representing the views of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. The Advisory Council ensures that ICE programs provide value-added clean energy information and resources for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, communities, organizations, and governments. Along with the Executive Indigenous Advisory Council, the ICE Advisory Council members review all ICE programming plans and provide strategic input.
Portrait
Name
Kim Scott
Company
Kishk Anaquot Health Research (KAHR)
Location
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Quebec
Description
Ms. Scott is founder and principal investigator of Kishk Anaquot Health Research (KAHR), an independent Indigenous owned and operated consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, program design, performance measurement, partnership development and environmental sustainability with a varied client base of universities, government departments, professional associations, international and non-governmental organizations, school boards, health centres and communities. Her career spans a broad spectrum of activities related to public health, governance, comprehensive sustainability planning as well as international, organizational, and community development. Ms. Scott holds a Master of Science from the University of Waterloo. She is a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and the Canadian Sustainability Indicators Network. Her professional interests include advancing democracy through distributed, community-owned clean energy systems, reinforcing moral independence and self-directing freedom for Indigenous communities through energy independence and amplifying the nexus between human health, energy, and environmental integrity.
Portrait
Name
Troy Jerome (Co-Chair)
Company
SEN’TI Environmental & Indigenous Services
Location
Mi’gmaq Nation, Quebec
Description
Mr. Troy Jerome is a citizen of the Mi’gmaq Nation, residing at Listuguj, Québec. He has devoted much of his career serving the Mi’gmaq Nation as a firm believer in the inherent right to self-government and their permanent sovereignty over their lands and resources.
From 2004, Mr. Jerome began to closely monitor the development of the Wind Energy industry taking hold in Gespe’gewa’gi. Seeing that Quebec was mobilizing to install over 40% of its 4,000 MW of wind energy projects ($4.0 Billion investment) in his people’s territory, he pushed to have Chiefs and Councils demand that the Quebec Assembly discuss energy projects with the Mi’gmaq on a Nation-to-Nation basis.
After discussions with Chiefs regarding natural resources, title rights and nation-building strategies; including a plan to put forward a major wind energy initiative for the Mi’gmaq, Mr. Jerome was asked to serve as Executive Director and Nutewistoq for the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi’s political lobbying office, the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat (MMS). This initiative was considered successful when the 150 MW wind farm became operational in December 2016 — this Mi’gmaq wind farm continues to bring power to 30,000 households.
After completing his tenure with the MMS, Troy created SEN’TI Environmental and Indigenous Services, followed by SEN’TI Innovations. Troy continues to bring forward a future in which renewables and clean technology become mainstream.
SEN’TI is currently working to build and operate a first-of-its-kind in North America. It will be the first commercial, small-scale, Green Ammonia plant in the world.
SEN’TI will synthesize green ammonia in the Gaspesie using renewable energy from wind farms and hydro dams and will provide the green ammonia as a de-nox agent to reduce the emissions from the manufacturing of cement.
SEN’TI sees a future wherein Quebec and the Maritime provinces synthesize green ammonia as a safe and carbon-free alternative to diesel – as a clean power fuel for heavy equipment and marine vessels and as a large-scale battery for northern communities.
Mr. Jerome also serves as a Co-Chair and mentor with the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise supporting Indigenous communities in becoming energy independent and helping Indigenous Nations lead Canada away from fossil fuels and the transition into renewable and clean technology.
Portrait
Name
Melina Laboucan-Massimo
Company
Sacred Earth Solar
Location
Lubicon Cree First Nation, Alberta
Description
Melina is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta. She has worked on social, environmental and climate jMelina is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta. She has worked on social, environmental and climate justice issues for the past 20 years. Melina is the Just Transition Director at Indigenous Climate Action, the Founder of Sacred Earth Solar and a Fellow at the David Suzuki Foundation. She is also the host of a TV series called Power to the People, which profiles renewable energy, food security and eco-housing projects in Indigenous communities across Canada.
Facing firsthand impacts of the Alberta tar sands in her traditional territory, Melina has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental justice. For over a decade, Melina worked as a Climate and Energy Campaigner with Greenpeace Canada and the Indigenous Environmental Network internationally. She has written for various publications and produced short documentaries on the tar sands, climate change, water issues and Indigenous cultural revitalization. Melina has studied, campaigned, and worked in Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and Europe, focusing on resource extraction, climate change impacts, media literacy, and Indigenous rights & responsibilities.
Melina also works on the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in Canada after the suspicious death of her sister Bella whose case remains unsolved. Melina currently serves on the boards of Seeding Sovereignty and NDN Collective, as well as the executive steering committee of the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise.
Portrait
Name
Blair Hogan
Company
Gúnta Business Consulting Ltd.
Location
Teslin Tlingit Council, Yukon
Description
Blair Hogan is a Teslin Tlingit First Nation Citizen who has a strong history of effective community leadership in business development, economic development, and intergovernmental relations. Blair has assisted his self-governing first nation, the Teslin Tlingit Council and Community of Teslin, in developing political and financial strategies to access a wide-range of funds necessary to facilitate local community development and local opportunity creation. One of the biggest successes from Blair’s tenure as Executive Councillor is the successful development, launch, and long-term financing of Teslin’s local economic development agency, the Dèslin Development Corporation (DDC). Also working with various directors and subject matter experts to determine the best approaches to developing and capturing own source revenue as a self-governing First Nation and working to create multiple opportunities for the community.
Blair has also helped the community of Teslin, Yukon implement one of the Yukon’s most successful biomass district heating systems supplied from locally sourced wood chips.
Portrait
Name
Judith Sayers
Company
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Location
British Columbia
Description
Kekinusuqs, Dr. Judith Sayers, is the President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and an adjunct professor with the School of Business and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria.Judith practiced law for 18 years and served fourteen years as Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation. As Chief of her First Nation, she focused on capacity building and sustainable development. Judith was instrumental in several sustainable development projects and put in place mechanisms to help protect Hupacasath territory.
Judith is on the boards of BC Ferries, Clean Energy BC, Island Corridor Foundation, BC Achievement Foundation and New Relationship Trust Foundation.
Judith received Clean Energy BC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame and has been the recipient of the Bora Laskin Fellowship on Human Rights, a Finalist for the Buffet award for indigenous leadership and twice awarded the Woman of Distinction from the Alberni Chamber of Commerce. She has received the Silver Award from the Canadian Environmental Association for Climate Change. Judith has also been admitted as a member of the Order of Canada.
Portrait
Name
Calvin Waquan
Company
Mikisew Cree First Nation
Location
Alberta
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 the 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.
Portrait
Name
Corey Mattie
Company
Indigenous Treaty Partners
Location
K’jpuktuk, Nova Scotia
Description
Mi’kmaw/Settler from K’jpuktuk, a member of the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada and co-founder of Indigenous Treaty Partners (ITP), Corey Mattie has always been involved with supporting Canadians through complex topics. As a professional keynote speaker to international audiences, including the G7 Research summit, United Nation Canada, and Parliament Hill, Corey strongly advocates for the importance of environmental enhancement, social responsibility, and ethical business practices. A local from Mi’Kma’ki (Atlantic Canada), Corey places strong value on the adoption of Indigenous practice and a triple bottom line for corporate Canada.
Holding a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University, a Certificate in ISO Management from the University of Toronto and Ryerson, a Certificate from the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, a LEED Accreditation, Antiracism training from both the Human Rights Commission and InterActivist. Corey is well-rounded in various aspects of the Canadian economic industry and ethical management.
Currently, he supports various NGOs, including Community Foundations of Canada which supports the mobilization of 93 billion dollars in community endowments, Sector Council of Nova Scotia, which supports the enhancement of non-profits across Canada; and Scotia Wind, a medium sized for-profit renewable energy producer. Here Corey Mattie offers years of experience to maximize impact and support knowledge sharing of Indigenous practices, partnership, and decolonization.
Portrait
Name
Ed Genova
Company
NB Power
Location
Metepenagiag First Nation, New Brunswick
Description
Ed Genova is a Mi’kmaq from Metepenagiag First Nation. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick in Biology and Physical Education.
Ed worked as an educator and administrator for 10 years. In 2007, he left the education field to work in the industry and has been with New Brunswick Power Corporation for over 10 years. As a part of the First Nations Affairs Team at NB Power, Ed has had the opportunity to take human resource management and energy fundamentals for leaders. His work has helped him improve relations, deal with legacy issues, offer guidance, support and facilitation to Indigenous communities here in NB.
Ed has been given the opportunity to work with many Indigenous organizations, Government departments, funding agencies and Indigenous people in various areas of the workforce. He is a passionate educator and believes that in order for communities to reach self-sufficiency, more capacity-building is needed.
Portrait
Name
John Jensen
Company
MGRID Energy Inc.
Location
Carcross Tagish First Nation, Yukon
Description
John Jensen has a degree from University of Phoenix in BSc, Business Management, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Environmental Management from Royal Roads University.John is a director of Carcross Management Corporation (CTMC) and has recently have been invited to join the Yukon Energy Board as a director. He also sits as a General Counsel Gaanaxtedi Clan representative for the Carcross Tagish First Nation (CTFN).
John has experience in directing private development of cleantech energy systems, primarily a micro–gasifier that produces energy from wood chips, as well as exploration in solar and micro-hydro opportunities within the traditional territory of the Carcross Tagish First Nation. John’s ambition is to create sustainable energy for the Yukon, and an additional economic pillar from such developments, that help foster economic development in the Yukon.
Portrait
Name
Kyla Morrisseau
Company
Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek
Location
Aimbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Ontario
Description
As the first point of entry for all industry undertakings, Kyla’s main priority is protecting the rights and interests of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, along with teaching her community how to adapt in a changing climate. She sees the truly value in the use of green/clean energy in order to fight Climate Change and lower carbon emissions for the next generations. Kyla also works closely alongside the Community Planner and Development Manager researching best practices as they push forward into construction. She has been exploring clean energy initiatives to help her community move forward to achieve their vision of a Green Community and has a profound passion for environmental preservation and protection. Kyla believes if humanity works together to understand and carry out these clean energy initiatives, our world will still be here seven generations from now. In addition, she has strong feelings towards youth engagement, talking to them, listening to them, including them in the dialogue and teaching them new ways of seeing. Equipping the youth of tomorrow with all the tools of today is so important. Kyla is the mother of six Ojibway children and co-author of The Palgrave Handbook of Global Arts Education.
Portrait
Name
Leona Humchitt
Company
Heiltsuk Climate Action
Location
Heiltsuk First Nation, British Columbia
Description
Leona Humchitt is the Climate Action Coordinator for the Haiłzaqv Nation of Bella Bella, British Columbia.
She credits her journey and capacity building for clean energy to the Indigenous Clean Energy Leadership program, the 20/20 Catalyst Program, an intensive clean energy capacity-building program that provides practical and applied learning about renewable energy, community energy planning, energy efficiency and conservation.
She is currently working locally and regionally with a peer network of Climate Action Coordinators that has representation of eight participating Coastal First Nations of B.C. They support each other and collaborate on efforts to decarbonize our coast, transition off diesel generation and reduce transportation of fossil fuels through our ecologically and culturally significant territories.
Nationally, the Haiłzaqv Nation is one of 15 remote and rural First Nations communities participating in the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IOD). The Haiłzaqv Nation has just completed its community-led Clean Energy Plan. As a grandmother, this work has become much more meaningful and important for Leona. “We have an obligation to ensure that through climate action, we protect and preserve our collective future for our children yet to come. “
She serves on many boards related to climate change. Leona is a member of the Indigenous Clean Energy Advisory Board and was recently blessed to attend COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland with ICE. She deems this a game-changer and an amazing opportunity to represent her nation on the international platform.
Portrait
Name
Sara Fralin
Company
Aboriginal Housing Management Association
Location
British Columbia
Description
Sara Fralin is a 4th generation Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples. Sara’s Jewish ancestors escaped the Pogroms of Russia and arrived in Canada in 1923 as refugee immigrants. Sara is grateful to live on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəjˀəm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil Waututh) Nations.
Sara’s appreciation for nature led her to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Sustainability Studies from Trent University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Environment Studies from the University of Victoria.
Sara currently works with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association as an Energy Advisor for Indigenous Housing. She works to support peer learning and share success stories among Indigenous housing providers in B.C. to improve sustainability, reduce energy use and build capacity in energy management.
Sara has worked in the cleantech sector since 2014. She has experience in renewable energy generation, electric vehicles, climate change adaptation, and green building.
Portrait
Name
Alex Cook
Company
ArchTech
Location
Baker Lake, Nunavut
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 ten years of experience in the energy sector and is an Energy Champion in the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative and Catalyst with Indigenous Clean Energy. He is passionate about empowering indigenous communities in realizing the social, economic, and environmental benefits of accelerating their transition towards a clean energy future.