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.
Vince has worked the last 20 years on Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and spent approximately half with a furniture company and half with wood mills. He made his way home (Bella Coola) and started as a labourer for his community, which has led to his current position as Clean Energy Coordinator.
Vanessa Frank is from the Blood Indian Reserve in Southern Alberta. Her education was obtained at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in the Petroleum Land Administration and Business Administration. Vanessa’s primary work experience has been with the oil and gas industry working in different areas of surface land, and as the Supervisor for Surface Land with Indian Oil and Gas Canada. She is currently employed as the Surface Land Administrator for Kainaiwa Resources Inc. Vanessa is responsible for overseeing all O&G surface activity for the Blood Tribe. As industry evolves so has the Blood Tribe’s focus on delivering alternative energy-based projects for our community.
Tony is the Consultation Director for Heart Lake First Nation, holding the position for four and a half years. His role consists of the development of mutually beneficial relationships with oil and gas, forestry, power and multiple other operations; addressing and mitigating impacts on Heart Lake First Nations traditional lands, specifically around environment, community investment and identifying economic development opportunities. Ultimately to achieve long-term sustainability.
He is currently a MBA candidate at the Australian Institute of Business and is completing Project Management at NAIT. He has also obtained a CAD Technician for Architectural Design Certification. Tony has worked as a Mechanical Engineering Designer on many prolific projects in and around Edmonton, AB and recently received the certificate of Indigenous Leadership / Governance and Management Excellence.
Tanya Johnson-MacVicar is employed by the Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative (KMKNO) as the Mi’kmaq Community Liaison. Born and raised in Potlotek First Nation; she is the granddaughter of Valerian (Smokey) and Cecelia Marshall. Tanya graduated from NSCC with an Aboriginal Court Worker Diploma, as well as received her Hospitality and Communications Diploma from Compu College.
Tanya has worked with many Mi’kmaq First Nation organizations such as Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network as an Aboriginal Court Worker, Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs for over 17 years. She has collaborated with KKMNO for the past four years working on files for culture and heritage as well as emergency preparedness.
For the past two years Tanya has been working alongside the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities on hydro projects that need replacement, refurbishment or decommissioning. Some of these hydro projects include; Gulch Spillway Refurbishment, Lequille Main Dam Refurbishment, Tusket Main Dam Refurbishment and Gaspereau Lake Reservoir.
She currently resides in Sydney, Nova Scotia with her son, Carter, and husband, Carl.
Samuel is an established entrepreneur and an experienced Executive in First Nation Governance. From 2016 to 2018, Samuel co-chaired the Indigenous Energy Technical Working Group (IETWG) with the ADM Indigenous Relations of Alberta. The IETWG was created to explore Indigenous participation in the growing renewable energy industry. The group resulted from the NDP Government of Alberta’s move towards 30% renewable energy by 2030 and a commitment to foster a greater socio-economic capacity for First Nations in Alberta.
From 2014 to 2020, Samuel served as CEO of the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc. (NGCI), the Corporate Division of the Ermineskin Cree Nation. He worked closely with his corporate team implementing the Board and Chief and Council’s business development strategy meant to generate revenues, create employment, revitalize the business core, and invest in capacity development. A highlight from that experience was the project managing a 1MW distributed generation Solar Array.
In 2021 Samuel incorporated Elements Firetack Inc. to support Alberta Wildfire Suppression efforts.
Elements Firetack Inc. provides Firetack crews to battle out of control wildfires in Alberta. Samuel strongly advocates for the Inherent and Treaty Rights and is happy to provide advisory services to the ICE Network. He is an advocate for stronger environmental policies and Indigenous clean energy projects.
Neil Hawkes lives in Nain, Labrador and recently started working as the Energy Facilitator for the Nunatsiavut Government. Neil has a degree in mechanical engineering and a graduate certificate in renewable energy technologies. Neil is passionate about sustainable energy and its implementation. He also has a background in carpentry and is fascinated with efficient designs and the best use of materials.
The Nunatsiavut Government is committed to achieving a more sustainable energy future in Nunatsiavut and its work on Energy Security projects is guided by and grounded in the goals listed in the Nunatsiavut Energy Security Plan. As the Energy Facilitator, Neil will be involved in projects such as a microgrid project incorporating wind power and smart-grid technology, building efficiency improvements, energy education, and much more.
Mike has worked for Tsay Keh Dene Nation for over 11 years alongside a team of incredibly talented and driven individuals pushing hard to build, expand and evolve a Nation-owned group of business enterprises to build economies for Tsay Keh Dene that didn’t otherwise exist. Mike is currently the General Manager of Tsay Keh Dene’s Chu Cho Environmental LLP, where he sees his role as being driven by the need to create and maintain opportunities for exceptional growth and development for the employees, the business and most importantly for Tsay Keh Dene Nation and its citizens. Mike is thrilled to have such an important role with Tsay Keh Dene Nation and is proud of the consistent and truly collaborative approach that Tsay Keh Dene Nation fosters with industry and government towards building a sustainable Nation. In 2007, Chief Izony built an innovative energy project that was designed to completely displace Tsay Keh Dene’s reliance on diesel power, only to have BC Hydro dismantle the project at the 11th hour. This story is full of heartbreak and the details don’t lean in BC Hydro’s favour, however, in 2017 Chief Izony asked Mike to reinvigorate this project with the only mandate being to completely displace diesel. This is the project and this is the vision.
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.
Kathleen (Kat) Woodman is a Wulustukw of the Woodstock Reserve in New Brunswick. She is a mother of five and grandmother of 10. Kat graduated from Saint Thomas University with Distinction in 1995 with her Bachelors in Social Work. She has also been very active in the First Nations world of Native women (former President and BOD), Gignoo House (clinical placement and employed), Native Friendship Centre (former President and BOD), and worked as a social worker at Kingsclear First Nation for 11 years. She also has experience working with all levels of government and the private sector when advocating for First Nations issues and/or policies.
Kat is currently working as a Policy Advisor for her home community of Woodstock First Nation. She is the driving force behind Wisokolamson Energy through the LORESS process. It has become her mission to shift her community away from fossil fuel dependency towards cleaner, more renewable sources of energy and power.
Jolene is Anishinaabe-Kwe from Wahnapitae First Nation, a signatory of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. Currently she serves her community as the Economic Development Officer, supporting the work of the Sustainable Development department. Jolene first became interested in clean energy when her community undertook a grass-roots, community-based approach to developing an Energy Action Plan. Wahnapitae First Nation strives for energy sovereignty and independence and prioritizes providing safe, clean, reliable energy for all community members.
Jerid is currently attending Dalhousie University, where he is pursuing a double major in Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability, He is working toward obtaining his Professional Environmental Geoscientist certification. Jerid has lived in Nova Scotia for his whole life, and mainly grew up on Glooscap First Nation, just outside of the Annapolis Valley. Growing up in this community, he has always had an attachment to nature and the environment which is the reason he became interested in both the 20/20 Catalysts program and his current studies. He currently sits on the board of directors for Glooscap Ventures, which has allowed him to help his community grow and watch it move in a new direction. Jerid hopes that this can one day lead them to be a prime example of what can be accomplished with the combination of clean energy and our traditional knowledge.
Born in Middleton, N.S. Jason is a member of Glooscap First Nation, located in Hantsport, N.S. Jason joined the Canadian Armed forces in May of 2002, and was trained as a Supply Technician. In 2010, Jason was appointed the quartermaster position for CFB Kingston’s Peace Support Training Centre, where he provided support for the pre-deployment training, and speciality courses for Canadian and NATO-allied countries. After his retirement from the Canadian Forces in 2013, Jason started his studies at Acadia University, majoring in History. In 2015, he started his employment with Glooscap First Nation, and has held several positions within the organization, including On-site Monitor for the Gaspereau Lake Refurbishment Project, Manager of Special Projects, and currently he is the Housing and Maintenance Officer. He resides in Coldbrook, N.S. with his spouse Kayla, and their two sons, Cole and Connar.
Mihskakwan James Harper is from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 8, Alberta. He currently is a Business Development Manager at NRStor Inc., a Canadian energy storage developer. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and has recently completed a Masters of Science in Renewable Energy from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Ecole Polytechnique, with entrepreneurial training from ESADE Business School. He loves his family and his community now and generations ahead, which inspires him to work on energy storage and renewable energy projects to build a future that is sustainable and empowers all.
Devin is a Mi’Kmaq from Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation and is a father to two wonderful boys. He works as the Fisheries Coordinator at Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI) and is responsible for overseeing fisheries consultations as well as assisting in the review of natural resource projects for potential environmental effects that could impact First Nations’ rights. Devin has always been a proponent of green energy integration and has been involved in the development of green energy projects in the past. His goal in the program is to gain the skills necessary to help guide the Mi’Kmaq communities of New Brunswick to become leaders in the implementation of green energy.
Originally from Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Dave works for the Makivik Corporation in Montreal, Quebec. Dave joined Makivik’s Economic Development Department as a Business Development Officer and works directly with the Director of Economic Development on energy projects for the Nunavik region.
Dave’s interest in the 20/20 Catalyst Program is based on the goal of implementing clean energy systems in the Nunavik region. Makivik is leading efforts to introduce wind, solar, and marine hydrokinetic systems to reduce diesel consumption for electricity generation in the off-grid Nunavik communities. Dave has a particular interest as climate change is directly affecting his community and region. Dave also wishes to learn more about tools to gain better community engagement in these efforts and increase participation and awareness of the positive outcomes of clean and renewable energy systems.
Darin has lived his lifetime in Haida Gwaii in the Village of Old Massett on the northern shores of Haida Gwaii. Darin is a proud father and a grandfather. His background is as a building contractor, and he is an inter-provincially certified carpenter. He currently works for the Council of the Haida Nation as the Capital Works Department Manager and was recently appointed as the Energy Manager.
Haida Gwaii is powered by diesel and Darin’s goal for Haida Gwaii to be an energy sovereign nation and maximize economic opportunities and job creation through renewable energy.
Dana Tizya-Tramm was born and raised in the Yukon Territory, and is a proud member of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. From a young age, Dana showed strengths in communications and team building which has served him well in the youth societies and initiatives that he has both started, and helped to develop. Bridging Indigenous ways of knowing with western best practices, Dana continues to “break trail” for the coming generations, and now in his position on council with his self-governing First Nation, he is working through projects like his small rural communities solar energy project. This project will be the largest in the Canadian Arctic and is just the beginning as his people continue to live with their environment, now through new technologies. The 20/20 Catalysts Program offers Dana the opportunity to gain insight and experience to better serve his community, Nation, and the world at large.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
