Meet the Cohorts

Portrait

Name

Chantelle Cardinal

Location

Goodfish Lake, AB

Description

Chantelle Cardinal is a member from Whitefish Lake #128 (Goodfish Lake), Alberta. She has been working with First Nations in Alberta for over 14 years. Chantelle is currently employed as the Director of Housing and Environment for the Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4) and is responsible for guiding and assisting the Tribal Council on engagement and project management on the Government of Alberta’s Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative (ICLI). As part of being the Climate Change Coordinator for the G4, responsibilities also include leading and directing activities related to climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy development while working with communities to increase climate literacy.

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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.

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Name

Blaine Chisslet

Location

Rankin Inlet, NU

Description

Blaine Chislett is from Rankin Inlet Nunavut and is the maintenance manager for a Nunavut birthrate investment and properties company. He is a proud father of three beautiful girls and he would like to see the north as a clean and affordable place to raise his kids and future generations. He hopes to see the territory slowing move away from its heavy diesel-dependent ways and invest into cleaner green energy.

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Name

Bill Williams

Location

Kugluktuk, NU

Description

Originally from Dorchester, Ontario. 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

Andrew Oler

Location

Tulita, NWT

Description

Andrew Oler works in the Sahtu Community of Tulita, NWT. Tulita is heavily reliant on diesel-generated power. Andrew is interested in assisting the diesel reliant off-grid community of Tulita to build localized renewable energy capacity while nurturing: economic opportunities, community-driven initiatives, and long-term sustainability planning.

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Name

Wanda Westhaver

Location

Acadia First Nation, NS

Description

Wanda Westhaver is a Mikmaw woman from Nova Scotia. She has been employed as an Employment/Training Officer with Acadia First Nation for the past 20 years. Wanda has a keen interest in learning more about green technology and sustainable energy projects. The timing of this training couldn’t be better as Nova Scotia Power is undertaking a huge project over the next 10 – 12 years to upgrade their six Hydroelectric Generating Stations on the Mersey River. This program will assist Acadia First Nation to be ready to take full advantage of opportunities for community members.

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Name

Vincent Ostberg

Location

Bearskin Lake First Nation, ON

Description

Vincent became interested in renewable energy when he was a younger man in his 20s. Vincent’s interest grew from his late grandfather, Isaac Beardy’s, desire to see hydro generating turbines situated along the Severn River in Bearskin Lake. Vincent attended the Ontario Water Power Association workshop in Thunder Bay in summer 2016 and learned about the different companies, different software for calculating the costs of building the infrastructure, and building business partnerships with First Nations communities and the private sector. Vincent is the Community Consultation Officer for the Michikan Lands and Resources Department in his community.

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Name

Tristan House

Location

Chiniki First Nations, AB

Description

Tristan is a former youth program coordinator for Chiniki First Nation. Now, working as a volunteer community ski coach and one of the founders of the first Stoney Nakoda Lost Wolves ski team, one of Tristan’s main goals is to raise healthy young people in his community. The Chiniki First Nation is in the process of setting up a Solar Power Plant on the west side of the reserve, which will have an estimated power production of 40MW. The community’s plan is to start construction some time this summer and complete the nation’s first renewable energy project.

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Name

Stacey Goulding

Location

Leq’a:mel First Nation, BC

Description

Stacey is both a member and an employee of Leq’á:mel First Nation (LFN). She has been working with LFN since 2009 where she started as a steonographer for leadership and committee meetings. Since 2012, Stacey has been working within the lands department on projects that carry out LFN’s priorities under Land Code. Stacey’s passion is around preserving and protecting the environment in a holistic way that includes educating people and meeting the needs of today’s society while preserving and protecting the land for future generations.

Portrait

Name

Samantha Robichaud

Location

Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc, NB

Description

Samantha works as the Energy and Mines Coordinator for Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI). MTI is a not-for-profit, rights-based Mi’gmaq organization whose members are the nine Mi’gmaq First Nation communities located throughout the Province of New Brunswick. Samantha is the primary contact for energy and mining projects and her role is to ensure that Mi’gmaq rights are recognized, affirmed and protected within the energy and mining sector. Her goal within the organization is to help the Mi’gmaq obtain better opportunities by advancing energy projects that are safe and sustainable for the environment, which will help mitigate impacts of climate change.

Portrait

Name

Michael Ouellette

Location

Pimicikamak Cree Nation, MB

Description

Michael is a member of Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. He proudly works as a community medical doctor in Pikangikum First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. Michael believes that, to truly address the health of people in any community one must put attention towards energy security and economic development. Thus, he has been developing interests in these areas. He completed a certificate in Best Practices in Indigenous Business and Economic Development at The Banff Centre. In addition, plans are in place to pursue an executive MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership at Beedie School of Business in Vancouver. As the clean energy lead for the Pikangikum First Nation, Michael is interested in developing opportunities for the community as they move forward with connection to the provincial power grid as a new partner for the Wataynikaneyap Power Project and grid extension.

Portrait

Name

Melissa Quesnelle

Location

Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation), AB

Description

Melissa is from the Kainai Nation in southwestern Alberta. She brings industry experience in environmental design, construction, and project management to a leadership position with the Indigenous Sustainable Structures Collaborative. In her role as Executive Advisor, Melissa is honoured to be working with a passionate group of industry professionals committed to a common goal: providing environmentally sustainable building systems that are culturally appropriate and clean energy compatible. She and her team believe that access to affordable, high-quality, resilient buildings is a critical factor to overcoming many of the social, environmental, and economic challenges faced by First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada.

Portrait

Name

Lisa Francis

Location

Acadia First Nation, NS

Description

Lisa Francis is a Mi’kmaq from Acadia First Nation, Nova Scotia with a background in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from Saint Mary’s University.  She received Professional Aboriginal Economic Development Certification (PAED) in August 2008 and International Business Training with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in 2004. Lisa spent 15 years with Acadia First Nation working in community economic development. As a mentor and regional Mi’kmaq chair on several economic development fronts, she was a strong voice of the Mi’kmaq people receiving House of Assembly recognition and featured in the Wabanaki People of the Dawn regarding culture, heritage, archaeology and green energy sustainability. In 2015, she obtained the first Aboriginal Relations Advisor position with Nova Scotia Power, and currently continues to establish the foundation of Aboriginal Affairs within the company.

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Name

Leonard Flett

Location

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, AB

Description

Leonard was born at Jackfish Lake and is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN). Leonard studied “Native Communication” at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. He then went to work for “Industry” at Suncor, known as G.C.O.S. Later, Leonard moved into Housing Construction in Fort McMurray as the city was booming in the mid-70s. Today, Leonard is employed with the ACFN, drafting an Emergency Evacuation Plan. His community already has two solar panel systems installed. Within the next years, ACFN would like all 89 residential units and those currently being constructed, to have solar panels installed.

Portrait

Name

Lee Thom

Location

Kikino Métis Settlement, AB

Description

Lee was born in Lac La Biche, Alberta and is a member of the Kikino Métis Settlement. Lee worked in the oil and gas industry for many years before moving to the Alberta Pacific Forest industry. From there, he was elected as the Vice-Chairman for the Kikino Métis Settlement administration. Lee became involved with climate change when he was offered a position as the Climate Change Coordinator at the Métis Settlements General Council in Edmonton, AB. His focus is to assist all eight Métis Settlements in Northern Alberta with their green initiatives and to help reduce GHGs. Within the next few years, Lee hopes to educate and assist the Métis Settlements with installing solar panels, retrofitting housing and promoting clean energy.

Portrait

Name

Kim Scott

Location

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, QC

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

Kim Nash McKinley

Location

St. Mary’s First Nation, NB

Description

Kim Nash-McKinley, B.A. is a citizen of the Wolasttogiyik Nation, a Former Chief and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which she received for her commitment and dedication of over 20 years to issues that affect the off-reserve Indigenous Peoples; provincially in New Brunswick, regionally in the Maritimes and nationally in Canada through participation in the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

Nash-McKinley has over 25 years of serving on a variety of Boards and Commissions at the local, provincial, regional, and national levels, and has served as the inaugural Anglophone co-chair for the Voices of Women’s Forum, and she is a past member of the New Brunswick Health Council.

Nash-McKinley is a current member of the Board of Kings Landing, the AtlanticLeona Provinces Economic Council (APEC), was one of a group of five cofounders for the Indigenous Tourism Association New Brunswick (ITANB) and she is currently employed as the Director of Economic Development for Kingsclear First Nation.

Portrait

Name

Juanie Pudluk

Location

Iqaluit, NU

Description

Juanie grew up in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. After high school, he went to university and studied Electrical Engineering. He became interested in energy while working for the power utility, Qulliq Energy Corporation. Nunavut is highly dependent on fossil fuels and Juanie has been researching ways to reduce fuel usage and maybe use alternative energies to heat and power homes. Juanie recognizes that many technologies exist that can help but finding a way to overcome many obstacles in the far north is difficult. Juanie now works for the Nunavut Housing Corporation as Director of Infrastructure.

Portrait

Name

Joe Lazore

Location

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, QC

Description

Joe is a member Mohawks of Akwesasne Territory. He has dual citizenship and works on both sides of the border. Joe has been a career electrician for over 25 years. He also has a Master’s in the electrical field. Joe works for and maintains the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s infrastructure, building electrical equipment, and upgrading systems for energy savings. Joe has been looking for ways to harness local energy, including the great amount of water flowing around his community with great speeds and great volumes of water.

Portrait

Name

Desmond Bull

Location

Louis Bull Tribe, AB

Description

As a First Nation member, elected official and an environmental steward, Desmond was honoured to research and develop the initiative for the Louis Bull Tribe’s PV system (Solar Project). Desmond worked closely with his community and with Gridworks Energy, completing public buildings assessments, applying for a First Nation infrastructure grant, and working on strategic planning for the solar project. This work also opened opportunities for Desmond to sit with The Green Economy Network in Edmonton and Energy Futures Lab of Alberta, become appointed to the Alberta Energy Efficiency Advisory Panel, and be voted to the Alberta Solar Energy Society.

Portrait

Name

Darryl Hill

Location

Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, ON

Description

Darryl is a Mohawk of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory who has worked his entire professional career in various First Nation government organizations. He started out as a Capital Management Officer with Indigenous & Northern Affairs Canada working on various infrastructure projects. Darryl has a diverse background and vast experience obtained while working with organizations such as a First Nation philanthropic fund, provincial aboriginal sport body, civil engineering consulting firm and First Nations. He has recently worked with the Oneida Nation of the Thames and his home community of Six Nations working on community energy plans. He hopes to expand his renewable energy credentials and is presently employed as an energy planner for the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.

Portrait

Name

Colin Asselstine

Location

Kluane Community Development Corporation, YT

Description

As General Manager of the Kluane Community Development Corporation, Colin works with government, industry partners, and Kluane First Nation Citizens to enhance local economic opportunities, attract investment in community builds and infrastructure and implement projects that encourage community growth in Burwash Landing and throughout the traditional territory of Kluane First Nation. Colin is a long-time resident and an active member of the Kluane Region, and he also sits on the Dän Keyi Renewable Resource Council.

Portrait

Name

Blair Hogan

Location

Teslin Tlingit First Nation, YT

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.

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Name

Barrie Ford

Location

Makivik Corporation, QC

Description

Barrie Ford grew up in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Quebec. During high school, he was fortunate enough to get a summer job at the local biological station. It was here that Barrie was exposed to the work of the Nunavik Research Centre. From an early age, he participated in several programs such as water sampling, ageing Salmon, and surveying geese. Barrie has completed a diploma in Natural Science from John Abbott College and a B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology from McGill’s Macdonald Campus. Barrie has now worked with the Makivik Corporation, an Inuit birthright organization, for over 10 years on a number of files ranging from biology, mining policy, community engagement to science facilitation. 

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Name

Andres Filella

Location

Métis Nation of Alberta

Description

Andres is a chemical engineering graduate with a background in education, environmental risk management, and energy and sustainability. Andres joined the Métis Nation of Alberta in early 2017 and led the MNA’s Climate Change Action Plan. Currently, his team is exploring opportunities in energy efficiency and installing a solar project at the MNA facilities. While Andres sees significant challenges in the fight against climate change, he also believes there is room for communities and individuals to reap substantial benefits such as reduced energy costs, new jobs and businesses, and environmental and health benefits. His interest in the 20/20 Catalysts Program comes from wanting to learn about what other communities have accomplished and understand how these could help the MNA’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Portrait

Name

Tanna Pirie-Wilson

Location

Neqotkuk Maliseet Nation (Tobique First Nation), NB

Description

Tanna is a very proud Wolastoqiyik (people of the beautiful and bountiful river) from the Neqotkuk Maliseet Nation (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2006. Following a 15-year career in the federal public service, she worked for the past six and half years as the Senior Band Administrator. She previously held the position of CEO of Band Operations for five years; she is the first female to hold these positions in her community and is very proud of that.

Tanna can be found helping communities advance to a more sustainable future for all generations to come.

Tanna has been passionate about advancing indigenous and environmental rights for over 20 years. She devotes much of her free time to assisting and advancing various committees and organizations for more Indigenous inclusion and participation. Tanna has been with us on the Board of Directors of ICE for the past three years and brings a wealth of traditional knowledge and government knowledge to our Board.

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Name

Sheldon Nimchuk

Location

Iqaluit, NU

Description

Portrait

Name

Rosa Brown

Location

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, YT

Description

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Name

Regina Jacobs

Location

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, QC

Description

Regina Jacobs is a registered First Nation member of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA – Canada) & the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT- United States).

Regina began her career in Emergency Management in 2004 as a hobby and it bloomed into a career after meeting her predecessor, Mr. Lawrence “Larry” White, who was the Emergency Manager for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for 18 years. Mr. White retired from MCA in 2010, and Regina became his successor that same year. She currently chairs the Akwesasne & Local Emergency Planning Committee (ALECP) and sits on the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Standards and Practices committee – representing First Nations. She is also a co-researcher/consultant for the Applied Research in Environmental Sciences Nonprofit, Inc. (ARIES), organized and operated for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes. ARIES is a research association in which multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary projects such as USC Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) whose mission is to improve the Nation’s security through the development of advanced models and tools for the evaluation of the risks, costs, and consequences of terrorism, and to guide economically viable investments in homeland security. However, she shares all her success with the MCA’s Chief and Council, who are strong supporters of Emergency Management in Akwesasne as it addresses the various obstacles with being a multi-jurisdictional community.

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Name

Michelle Myers

Location

Xeni Gwet’in First Nations, BC

Description

Michelle is a member of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations and was raised with Tsilhqot’in beliefs by her parents. She is currently pursuing degrees in Native Studies and Environmental Conservation. She has been part of several initiatives focused on issues related to land and climate change, including the Indigenous Climate Change Action Plan, Tla-O-Qui-Aht Tribal Parks Summit, Power Shift Alberta, and the Open Access Energy Summit. Michelle wants to support her community in developing a sustainable economy using the bountiful resources they have been gifted. She looks to support an energy-based strategy that will bring jobs into her community and protect Tsilhqot’in youth’s livelihoods for seven generations to come.