Generation Power encourages Indigenous youth to explore careers in clean energy. It is also an essential piece of the clean energy landscape in Canada that nurtures the leadership potential of both Indigenous youth and energy sector employers to advance a sustainable and equitable energy future.
Sean is the Energy Coordinator in Old Masset on Haida Gwaii. From the Ts’aahl Laanaas Eagle Clan, Sean has been working towards Haida sovereignty his whole career. Coming from a forestry background, Sean has contributed to writing the Haida Gwaii Land Use Plan, helped develop Cultural Feature Identification programs for industry, worked directly with government and industry proponents to ensure Haida free prior informed consent through a forum called the Solutions Table. A proud father of three, Sean loves fishing and food gathering in and around Haida Gwaii. Sean is excited to see the next era in renewable energy production on Haida Gwaii and a separation from the island’s current diesel reliance.
Millicent (Penny) Polchies is the Economic Development Manager with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI). In this role, Penny leads a team providing all aspects of Indigenous economic development and sustainability; they also build support within the realm of Indigenous entrepreneurship. A big believer in sustainable Indigenous economies, Penny supports communities that strive for success.
Penny has spent 25 years in Indigenous economic and labour market initiatives, where she created a provincial network of employment and training officers (ETOs) and facilitated the creation and implementation of their career practitioner certification and training. This was done in partnership with the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) and resulted in one of the largest Indigenous groups in Canada becoming certified ETOs.
Indigenous inclusion is essential to Penny. She is a strong advocate for inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunity for business development. Penny brings awareness to the systematic barriers that the Indigenous population faces. In support of this, led JEDI to the creation of JEDI’s Indigenous Reconciliation Awareness Module, focusing on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92.
Leighton Gall is a Métis entrepreneur and Masters of Global Management student at Royal Roads University. He is also pursuing dual master’s credits in the Science and Policy of Climate Change program. His past experiences include working in Canada’s oil & gas sector, and in Nicaragua and Japan on geothermal drilling projects. Additionally, Leighton is an accomplished start-up founder in the cannabis and tattooing industries. When not reading and researching you can find him traveling on his eBike with his Jack Russell Terrier or at home playing music.
Jacob is a proud father and member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation. He grew up in and currently resides in the community of Scotchfort, Abegweit First Nation on Prince Edward Island. Jacob graduated with a Diploma in Information Systems Management from Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in 2003. A few years of working in this area fueled his ambition to become an entrepreneur. He was the sole proprietor of an IT supply business for 12 years, and then accepted an operator/management position with the Abegweit First Nation where he has worked since 2012. There he was tasked with a large project to upgrade/replace an outdated water system with modern infrastructure technologies. With this experience, Jacob’s ambition was fueled again to bring more positive infrastructure projects to his community; to develop a plan to harness new clean energy technologies and build capacity and resources for Abegweit First Nation. Jacob is excited to be part of the 2020 Catalyst Cohort, to be part of a team and to gain new knowledge to support his community with new energy initiatives.
Holly is employed by Skidegate Band Council on Haida Gwaii as a Climate Action Coordinator. Holly focuses on planning and coordinating energy and climate activities and deliverables associated with capacity-building, clean energy, demand-side management, and community engagement. She is very enthusiastic about learning about new renewable technologies and is passionate about energy and doing her part to preserve the environment for future generations. During her spare time, Holly is out exploring the beautiful environment on Haida Gwaii and loves photography.
Elijah is a Nuxalk member, born and raised in the Bella Coola Valley in British Columbia. Elijah has experience working in wind power and industry, before moving back home to work for his nation. Currently, he is the Clean Energy Community Engagement Coordinator, and the Climate Action Coordinator. As the CEC and CAC, his work has led to clean energy and climate change initiatives being progressed for his nation alongside the 20/20 Catalyst champion Vince Robinson. He wants to use this experience to help guide and develop his nation’s GHG reduction goals, and potentially develop an Energy Engagement Plan.
Daphne is a proud Anishinaabe woman from the Cowessess First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory. Daphne studied Political Science at the University of Regina and Land Management at the University of Saskatchewan. Daphne worked in the Lands and Resources Department of Cowessess First Nation for two years, where she was able to work on special projects like Cultural Site Documentation. Recently, Daphne moved to Cowessess Ventures Ltd., the community’s business development organization, as the Community Energy Specialist, where she can work on clean energy initiatives.
Daphne has always been passionate about sustainable living and protecting the land. She likes to read, bead, sew, and dance in her spare time.
Crystal lives in Brantford, Ontario, just on the outskirts of Six Nations of the Grand River with her two young girls and used to own her own business for 10 years as a residential cleaner. She has worked in various restaurants in management positions and recently applied for the position as the community energy champion for Six Nations of the Grand River. Crystal wanted to do something different and apply herself towards a job with a purpose. Not knowing exactly what she was getting herself into, she jumped in and so far loves what she has been learning. Her family has a background as electricians, so to fall into something along the same line has been very rewarding. Crystal has always had an interest in a greener way of living, and how we can contribute to conserve and maintain a greener environment. She looks forward to broadening her knowledge in the field and jumping into any upcoming projects.
Chad is a member of the Dene First Nation. He was born in Yellowknife and raised in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories. He has done some volunteer work in his community while growing up until he moved to Alberta to finish his last two years of high school. He came home after he graduated to help his family. Chad started working at a local store for the next two and a half years and was also involved in some community work at that time. After that he received an opportunity with Northern Loco in the clean energy sector and he has been working with them since March. Chad was really interested in learning more about how clean energy can benefit his community, and he hopes to gain the knowledge necessary to help ease the communities reliance on diesel fuel and to help promote greater energy independence in the North.
Austin is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and holds his heritage in high regard. He grew up in Alberta and is a registered E.I.T with APEGA. He has completed a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta as well as an M.Eng in Sustainable Energy Engineering at Carleton University. With these programs, he has developed a strong understanding of a broad range of topics related to sustainability and climate change. He hopes to use his knowledge to improve the countries efforts to become more sustainable in every aspect (even though clean energy is his favourite topic).
Austin is actively involved in numerous organizations which include being part of Leading Change Canada’s steering committee, Student Energy’s Leaders Fellowship, as well as being on the board of directors for the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship.
In his free time, Austin enjoys spending time outdoors. This often includes rock climbing, backcountry hiking, multi-day canoe trips, swimming, and snowboarding.
Andy Pirti currently resides in the Montreal area but was born and raised in a small town called Akulivik, situated in northern Quebec, on the coast of Hudson’s Bay.
In 1995, he went to Cegep Marie-Victorin, where he took the social science program. For 10 years he had done odd jobs here and there, including working at Avataq Cultural Institute for several years. In 2005, he began working at Makivik’s construction division as an accounts payable clerk, while taking business administration courses at Vanier College during the evenings. By 2007, he became Makivik’s investment accountant, responsible for investment portfolio transaction accounting entries.
Andy worked in the position for four years until he became the advisor to the treasurer in 2011, and he remained there until the treasurer’s term ended. Makivik’s executives are regionally elected, and when the incumbent decided not to run another term, with encouragement from friends and family, he ran and got elected as treasurer, serving 2 terms over 6 years. During this time, he was responsible for overseeing the investment portfolio of the corporation as well as the subsidiary companies. During his time as the treasurer, the corporation’s equity grew by over 100 million.
Tyler Jobb is an ambitious First Nations entrepreneur and is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. He is the founder of Jobb Developments, a rapidly growing contracting company based in Northern Saskatchewan. Tyler plans to bring clean energy projects to his communities that will drive economic opportunities, sustainability, job creation and energy sovereignty. The 20/20 Catalyst program will give Tyler and his communities the tools and skills to continue creating clean energy projects for years to come.
Siobhan Slade is NunkatuKvummiuk from St. Lewis (Fox Harbour), NunatuKavut territory in Labrador. She is a single mother to a beautiful little boy and by trade she is a heavy-duty equipment technician. She is presently working with NunatuKavut community council in collaboration with Nunacor as the NATURE (NunatuKavut Action Team in Understanding Renewable Energy.) Youth Council Coordinator, which is a program designed to engage youth with renewable energy and stress the importance it has to the communities we live in. She has also worked with researchers from the University of Dalhousie and Waterloo to develop renewable energy plans for three off-grid communities on the coast of Labrador and presently working on plans for six more off-grid communities, along with a food sustainability project for my community. Siobhan is beyond excited to start this incentive and be able to help her community by being leader in renewable energy for her territory.
Sharon Waughtal (Masuskapoe) is originally from Ahatahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan – Treaty 6 Territory. She is currently working with Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. as their Climate Change Coordinator serving six First Nation communities in Northeastern Alberta. She has worked previously with the Federal Government for 16 years in different program areas and departments. Sharon has recently completed an Environmental Sciences program – Specialization in Water & Wastewater Treatment and Water Collection and Distribution from NAIT. Renewable energy and environmental protection has always been an area of interest for Sharon.
Sal Poirier is from the Wolastoqiyik tribe in the Wabanaki region. His community is the Madawaska First Nation. He is the environmental officer for the community. He is the first in his community to hold this position since it was created in 2017. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in mechanical engineering. His goal is to reduce his community’s reliance on fossil fuels and to have his community become a model in clean energy and waste management practices. It is important to him that he does what he can to leave a sustainable world for his three children and future generations.
Richard was born in a camp on the Peel River north of Fort McPherson, NWT. Richard is a consultant and advisor with negotiation, political and policy experience. Richard served as Premier of NWT from 1984 to 1985 and as a member of Cabinet for 10 years. He also served as speaker and member on several standing and special committees. Richard began his Indigenous leadership with the Indian Brotherhood (later known as Dene Nation) of the NWT. Beyond this he has played leading roles in the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Gwich’in Development Corporation, Tetl’it Co-Op, and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Most recently, Richard was a member of several national agencies, Working Group on Natural Resources, Generation Energy Council and presently sits on the AFN-ISC Advisory Committee on Fiscal Relations.
Peter was born and raised in the little arctic community of Taloyoak, Nunavut. Every day, Peter is inspired by his two wonderful children who fill his heart with joy and pride. He was a Conservation Officer for the Government of Nunavut for a couple years, then decided to move back home and take up his new job as an Economic Development Officer. This role enables Peter to help his community thrive economically and socially. Peter’s goal is to get Taloyoak into the movement of green energy. He views green energy as a way to create work and great programs for our future children, grandchildren and beyond. For Peter, green energy helps preserve our land and water so that future generations can witness them as they are today: beautiful and thriving. He believes in a quote from Malcolm X “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Paul Andersen, is Inuk from the Nunatsiavut region of Northern Labrador. He is also from and lives in Makkovik, Labrador. He is currently the local Recreation & Youth Coordinator for Makkovik. He first really became interested in clean energy when he worked as a labourer on a transmission line project, with the source being a dam. Makkovik is an isolated community. They have no cellphone service, and no roads linking to any other town. Their only source of energy in Makkovic is diesel generators, and after having worked on a dam project, and seeing new projects happening all over the country he would love to be able to do the same with his community. Climate change is real, and it is our job to contain it.
Melissa McDonald works with Red Rock Indian Band, which is in Northwestern Ontario. As the Energy Initiatives Officer, her energy priorities include having cleaner energy systems, reducing consumption, reducing costs and educating the community. So far, she has worked on switching streetlights and facility buildings from incandescent to LED lighting, helping community members find energy cost savings, getting a Waste Diversion Management Study completed, updating Community Energy Plan and getting a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study completed.
Leona Humchitt is a proud member of the Heiltsuk First Nation of Bella Bella, B.C., a remote, isolated community located in the central coast of British Columbia. The population is 2,500, with 1,300 living on reserve. In 2014, Leona was elected to the local Heiltsuk Tribal Council to a four year term. In 2017, she retired with 27 years pensionable service as Office Manager of the Bella Bella RCMP. She completed SFU’s Executive Masters of Business Administration tailored for Indigenous Business and Leadership in October 2019. In June 2018, Leona was re-elected to another four-year term with the Heiltsuk Tribal Council. She and her husband, Tom, have four beautiful daughters – Flora, Kristy, Mercedes & Cheryl and one son, Thomas Benjamin. Leona and Tommy relish in the new status of being grandparents. Maggie, Cassian, Charlie & Addie are their precious treasures. It’s a whole new level of love and makes her work in leadership that much more meaningful. Leona is ecstatic for her Nation’s opportunity with the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) and her appointment as a champion for the 20/20 Catalyst Program. She deems this an opportunity to set the table “for our children’s tomorrows.”
Leon is a member of the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement in Treaty 6 territory. He is a father to three and grandfather to three. Leon works as a climate change coordinator full-time now for the settlement. Sustainable, reliable and affordable energy sources are important to the preservation of the Métis that still live on the lands and he is exploring all possible ways to meet these goals.
Kirt is from the Mi’gmaq tribe located in Listuguj, QC, within the district territory of Gespe’gewa’gi, which means “last acquired land.” Over the past 25 years, he is proud to say his community has been advancing towards self-governance, economic development, and culture and language revitalization, among many other things. Kirt graduated with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and, since then, has worked in a variety of fields and is now a clean energy project manager for the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation. Kirt has always had a deep respect for the environment and an understanding that everything is connected somehow. He is grateful for the experiences that have led him up to this point in life, and he looks forward to continue making a positive impact for his community and territory.
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 the 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.
Jimmy is a Building Maintenance Foreman for the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven. He has worked for the Hamlet for over 18 years. Jimmy is interested in green energy because the cost of power in Nunavut is so expensive and he would like to explore opportunities to reduce the cost for people in his community. Jimmy would like to see his community use cleaner energy and reduce greenhouse gasses. Jimmy knows clean air is very important for our future, and is very conscious of the diesel used for power in his northern community.
Jason is from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, were he works as the General Manager of Kuujjuamiut Corporation, a community development organization. Jason is also a long serving member of the Board of Directors of the Nayumivik Landholding Corporation which owns and administers Kuujjuaq Category 1 lands. He is very keen to learn about potential green energy projects that could be feasible in the north. His goal in the program is to see clean energy initiatives developed by his community that will have the least impact on the environment, while maximizing the benefits to the community & working towards eliminating the region’s dependence on diesel powered energy.
Dustin is a member of Beaver First Nation from the Childs Lake/Boyer River communities in the Treaty 8 Territory. He spent 12 years in the oil and gas industry where his career focused on the Production Sector such as production testing, service rigs, pipeline and facility construction. Dustin now operates Beaver First Nation’s Lands & Resources department and also sits on the NWAB Stewardship Plan. Dustin’s nation has taken strides to minimize their carbon footprint by introducing solar power to the community. One of his key roles is to ensure that the Beaver Peoples rights are recognized and protected. Dustin believes with more green energy projects it will allow his community to get back to their roots.
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.
Charlene Holmes was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, with a strong Métis cultural background. Both her parents were raised on the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement where her mother, along with many family members, currently reside. Charlene has been the Climate Lead at the Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) since 2017. In this short time, she has accomplished many projects to help reduce their carbon footprint at the Metis Settlements owned building in Edmonton. With the hard work of many, MSGC was granted a 2 Phase Rooftop Solar project along with a complete Energy Efficiency Retrofit to the 56,000 SF building. Both projects will commence May 2019. Charlene sits on the Indigenous Electricity Technical Working Group (IETWG) as part of the Indigenous Caucus since its inception in early 2017. The IETWG, with representation from Indigenous communities from across Alberta, works with the government to represent Indigenous interests within the Renewable Energy sector. Charlene is looking forward to commence working with industry on project management in Community Generation. Charlene spends her free time with her husband, son and her dog Coco.
Charla Joseph is a mother of three children and has lived in Elsipogtog First Nation her whole life. Her journey has taken her to many different places of work. She graduated with a Graphic Design certificate in 2009 for which she has been doing freelance designs up until 2015. She has done administration for her church, she worked as a secretary for the Social Assistance department; she has taken quality assurance training and worked with PLATO Miramichi as a Software Tester before coming to the Kopit Lodge. Kopit Lodge is a grassroots organization that deals with consultations. She is hoping that she can get the most out of this program so that she can help her organization and community start to look at ways to use clean energy that is both sustainable and beneficial. Their motto is to protect the water and she wants to be able to fulfill that motto while also bringing her community up to date with clean renewable energy.
Braden recently completed his BSc in Environmental Science from Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB. Braden will be returning to his home community to assist in the development of his nation’s Environmental Management Plan. His vision for Metlakatla is centred around Ts’msyen culture and language, renewable energy, food security, climate change mitigation and preparation, and restoration of degraded areas within their traditional territories. Braden hopes the 20/20 Catalyst program will help him implement clean energy projects and create sustainable, long term jobs for Metlakatla members. He believes renewable energy is crucial to mitigating climate change but also includes local food production projects and restoration of ecosystems incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and resource management systems.
