Meet the Members

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to contribute to economic and cultural reconciliation for Indigenous peoples, and hope to build fundamental empathy between peoples (Indigenous and Non).

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Physical and Emotional well-being through athleticism; Leadership, Mentorship, Public Speaking and Trauma-informed conversations.

ABOUT:
Recent graduate who is currently pursuing a Masters of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) and CPA Designation.

LOCATION:
Calgary, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to connect with my indigenous peers doing good work across the country and support each other and lift one another up.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Volunteering in governance roles for organizations run at the grassroots and national levels; Legal guidance; Maintaining a healthy and balanced life.

ABOUT:
A Member of Liard First Nation (Kaska Dene) and a lawyer working in financial services with Indigenous Governments. Former International Athlete(World Medalist, Commonwealth Games Medalist, Olympic Alternate, National Champion) where she learned to be agile.

LOCATION:
Calgary, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to connect with like-minded Indigenous professionals. This cohort is made up of a diverse collective of young Indigenous leaders as well as established, knowledgeable mentors. Providing the space for us to come together and bring our respective knowledge, stories and skillsets is not only going to benefit our individual growth, but it will inevitably benefit the economies of our respective communities and regions.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Nation Building (Governance, planning, etc); Grant Opportunities, community program funding, etc; Investments (Nation investment opportunities as well as personal); Oiler

ABOUT:
A Denesųłiné member of Cold Lake First Nations who serves as a member of the Board of Governors and advise on Indigenous matters and has held various roles within the Ministry of Indigenous Relations, Government of Alberta.

LOCATION:
Cold Lake, Albertaription

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to grow my network and continue to work towards elevating First Nation communities through economic development.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT :
First Nation economic development and anything First Nation related!

ABOUT:
Originally from Northern Ontario, and a member of Mattagami First Nation, Chris is a graduate of the University of Ottawa. Throughout his career, he has never wavered in the focus and attention he puts toward First Nation economic development.

LOCATION:
Toronto, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to make connections with different industry leaders to further my business and to get to know different Indigenous leaders and the work they are doing.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Collaboration opportunities; Defence against genocide and generational effects, including but not limited to the residential/day school legacies, historic and on-going child welfare traumas and the navigational exhaustion of surviving institutions designed to exclude Indigenous peoples.

ABOUT:
Experienced Omamiwininiikwe-euromix professional with a demonstrated history of working in the individual and family services. A Historical Trauma Specialist, Registered Social Services Worker skilled in Counselling, Indigenous Rights, Leadership, and passionate about community building and generational healing.

LOCATION:
Renfrew County, Ontario

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
Working with the City of Toronto, I am hoping to elevate the services and create more accessible resources to the urban Indigenous population.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Communication; Public Speakin; Art and Craft

ABOUT:
An an urban Anishnawbe kwe living in Toronto, Ontario, Clayton works closely with First Nations and Métis communities in an advisory capacity, assisting clients in the areas of business and strategic planning, human resource issues, corporate finance, training and economic development consulting. With his extensive experience working with Aboriginal business and communities Clayton understands the unique requirements of Aboriginal people.

LOCATION:
Toronto, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
To prepare as many as I can to see the reality of having our people ready and trained in all careers to successfully work together alongside colonized nations as partners and stewards of the land we share.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Indigenous education; creating equitable workplaces and space for indigenous voices; problem solving, long-term strategic thinking and building relationships.

ABOUT:
A Two-Spirited Indigenous Advocate who is an experienced Program Facilitator with a demonstrated history of creating engaged and meaningful relationships. Known for being an innovative Indigenous leader who excels in an organization that promotes change, inclusivity and diversity.

LOCATION:
Hamilton, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
Not just to even the playing field between Indigenous communities and the colonial institutions that they must interact with but tilting the table in the favour of our clients i.e. indigeneous communities.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Focus on entrepreneurship; Empowering indegeneous communities through data; Fishing

ABOUT:
Hannes is Métis, from Alberta originally but he has spent the last ten years living up on Tsimshian Territory in NW BC. An award-winning economist, Hannes has twelve years of experience working in Canada in both public and private organizations

LOCATION:
Terrace, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
To make connections in order to grow professionally and personally. As I continue to grow, the ability in which I am able to give back grows.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Marketing and communications; Volunteering experience on boards; Reading; Skill Development

ABOUT:
Heidi Abramyk has worked in design, marketing, and communications in various roles in a industries ranging from apparel, transportation, software, and the public sector.

LOCATION:
Saskatchewan, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to build relationships with other Indigenous leaders and to learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience around the table.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Seafood! C-suite versus Board responsibilities; Integrating culture into the business identity.

ABOUT:
Jake is Mi’kmaq from the Elsipogtog First Nation. He is passionate about sports (particularly hockey and golf) and travelling. He calls Pokemouche, NB home, where he lives with his partner Miguel and their cat Felix.

LOCATION:
Tracadie, NB, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
Ensuring the economic prosperity of Indigenous people by focusing on clean energy projects.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Renewable energy; Climate Change; Youth Empowerment

ABOUT:
Mihskakwan James Harper is from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 8, Alberta. He continues to advocate for meaningful climate action through the lens of his Niheyaw upbringing, tying concepts like clean energy with long-term community well-being, sovereignty, and empowerment.

LOCATION:
Toronto, Canadaption

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
Elevating indigenous people and communities by creating space for them, sharing knowledge with them and bringing their perspectives to the table.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Learning new languages including computer languages; Leadership; Developing and managing Employee Resource Groups; Communication and Public Speaking; Financial Health and Well-being

ABOUT:
Jessica Shute is Ojibwe from Couchiching First Nation near Fort Frances, ON. Jessica is the current national co-chair of the Royal Eagles, an Indigenous Employee Resource Group at RBC and the external co-chair for the OCAD University Indigenous Education Council. She is also a Board Member of Casey House

LOCATION:
Toronto, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
Creating a community of mentorship and support by sharing my experiences and creating a sense of identity, community and resilience.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Community development and grassroots movements; Art; Health and Well-being

ABOUT:
Julia Stoneman grew up in the northern community of Lynn lake and is a proud member of Misipawistik Cree Nation and the MMF Manitoba Local.

LOCATION:
Brandon, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED
I want to bring a voice to our indigenous people, our indigenous youth, as they are the next generations to continue breaking the cycles of inter-generational trauma.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Self-sustainability and developing prosperity for the next generation; implementing TRC calls to action; effective decision making

ABOUT:
Justin Jimmy is Cree from Onion Lake Cree Nation. One of Justin’s priorities and passion is to give back to the Indigenous community by moving towards self-sustainability and developing prosperity for the next generations. He is focused on building sustainable financial systems and capacity, growing economic development, inclusive and transparent communities, and assisting organizations towards their overarching goals and vision.

LOCATION:
Calgary, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to impact Indigenous Peoples and Communities by encouraging their confidence to see themselves as leaders and as capable to follow any vision or dream they have for themselves. I want our communities to heal from generational trauma, and the impacts of colonialism by recognizing their own autonomy.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Hard skills e.g. web development and design; leadership; collaboration and networking; Indigenous relations, entrepreneurship; diversity, equity and inclusion

ABOUT:
A poet and spoken word artist, visual artist, creative entrepreneur and founder of IndigenUs Network, a marketplace platform designed to connect Indigenous subject matter experts and knowledge carriers, with organizations and institutions seeking to contract them

LOCATION:
Halifax, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to provide mentorship to young indigenous women to make them realize that ‘they can do anything they want’.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Finding the right organizational culture; Career advice, Discussing members’ career journey.

ABOUT:
Kristin Richard is a proud Red River Metis woman from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Kristin is dedicated to building strong meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities to support long-term growth and economic development.

LOCATION:
Vancouver, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
My goal, no matter what work I am doing, is to contribute to the capacity development and growth of communities and those working for communities so I am able to give back as much as I can.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Business and Commerce; community development, housing policy, urban economics, reconciliation, and self-determination for Indigenous Peoples; music, arts, and live sporting events.

ABOUT:
Real estate and infrastructure professional. Passionate about First Nation and Indigenous community development. Volunteer in First Nation economic development, and urban Indigenous health and social services organizations.

LOCATION:
Toronto, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to meet like-minded Indigenous colleagues, learn about their experiences, and draw lessons that I can use for myself and share with others more broadly.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Perspectives related to energy transition, Indigenous inclusion in the energy sector, ESG, sustainability strategy, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

ABOUT:
Proud Potawatomi Anishinabe from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Neyaashiinigmiing). Honours Graduate from the University of Guelph’s Institute of Development Studies

LOCATION:
Kitchener, Ontario

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to find new ways of increasing equity ownership by Indigenous Peoples in the projects, companies and developments that affect their Indigenous communities. To create true partnerships with industry and Indigenous Communities using ownership. Help solve the access to capital issue that limits Indigenous participation in the Canadian economy.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Major Projects; Resource Development; Geopolitics; Energy; Indigenous Equity using Public Markets; Community Engagement; Consultation / Duty-to-Consult

ABOUT:
Miles, an Inuvialuit with a strong connection to the Mackenzie Delta region of Canada's Northwest Territories, is a strategic thinker, collaborator, and effective leader with substantive experience delivering successful organizational and project outcomes.

LOCATION:
Calgary, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I believe reconciliation and indigenous inclusion that can only be achieved through true education and awareness by building allies that advocate for change.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Truth & Reconciliation, Indigenous inclusion, hospitality management

ABOUT:
Patrick is from the Sawridge First Nation near Slave Lake, Alberta (Treaty 8). He spent 10 years in the hospitality sector for a variety of Indigenous-owned businesses, including the Sawridge Group of Companies and the River Cree Resort & Casino

LOCATION:
Edmonton, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I believe that through groups like this opens the doors to building and developing Indigenous kinship. I hope that the impact we can make will have a ripple effect in strengthening relations and opportunities for our kin, especially as we think about the next seven generations.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Bridging gaps for community; navigating opportunities within employment and education; collaboration and partnerships.

ABOUT:
Savanna is a 2spirit Anishinaabe, residing in the Greater Toronto Area. A digital storyteller, a collaborator and a marketing and communications specialist with over seven years of experience, they believes that bringing an equitable lens to work helps foster an inclusive and accessible culture.

LOCATION:
Oakville, Canada

WHY I AM INVOLVED:
I want to contribute to efforts to equip indigenous peoples and communities with the tools and resources they need to exercise their rights to self-determination.

REACH OUT TO CHAT ABOUT:
Corporate and transactional law (specifically: private equity and venture capital; mergers & acquisitions, recapitalizations, dispositions and growth equity financings); navigating early career as a first-generation professional; indigenous education; Kahnawake; work-life integration; food & wine; travelling

ABOUT:
Skawenniio is a proud Mohawk bear clan woman raised in Kahnawake. She grew up in a household of 7, and is now raising her own family in an equally sized household (2 children; 3 samoyeds). Skawenniio is a first-generation high school / college / professional school graduate. In her legal practice, Skawenniio represents private equity and venture capital clients in corporate and transactional law matters. She previously served on the Boards of Directors of the National Indian Education Association and Indspire.

LOCATION:
New York, NY