Métis Nation - Industry Round Table

MÉTIS NATIONAL COUNCIL
RALLIEMENT NATIONAL DES MÉTIS
Métis Nation - Industry Round Table SKILLS, PARTNERSHIP and ECONOMIC GROWTH
Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
VANCOUVER, BC
March 21st – 22nd, 2013
Welcome
to the Métis Nation-Industry Round Table.
This two day forum is dedicated to exploring ways in which
industry and the Métis people can collaborate in generating
employment and wealth.
The Métis are a young, mobile and increasingly skilled
population with a relatively high labor force participation rate.
We have an entrepreneurial tradition given our ethnogenesis
as children of the fur trade. The Métis National Council’s provincial affiliates or
Governing Members have a good track record in delivering a variety of economic
and business development services through professionally managed arms-length
institutions. We are keen on doing business.
The Round Table builds on previous regional engagement sessions the Métis
National Council and its Governing Members have held with industry in Winnipeg,
Prince Albert, Grande Prairie and Vancouver. These sessions have identified
numerous promising corporate practices and collaborative approaches with Métis
in the areas of education, training, employment, procurement and partnerships.
The findings of these regional sessions and the national round table will help
inform the Métis Nation leadership, the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
and his five provincial counterparts who have been pursuing the development of a
national Métis Economic Development Strategy. I look forward to the discussions
at the Round Table.
Clément Chartier
President Metis National Council
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
th
Grow
Agenda
RENAISSANCE VANCOUVER HOTEL HARBOURSIDE
7EST (ASTINGS 3TREET s 6ANCOUVER "#
3ALON ! s ,EVEL !
MARCH 21, 2013
8:30am - 8:45 am
Opening Prayer
Moderator: The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C.
Welcoming Remarks
Bruce Dumont, President, Métis Nation British Columbia
8:45am - 10:00am
Opening Remarks MNC Economic Strategy
Clément Chartier, Q.C. President, Métis National Council (MNC)
Dr. David Chartrand, Vice-President MNC & President Manitoba
Métis Federation
Profile of MNC Economic Strategy Video
Allan Clarke, Acting ADM, Aboriginal Affairs & Northern
Development
Randy Daggit, Vice-President Mining, Ledcor Group
10:00am - 10:15am
Health Break
10:15am - 11:15am
Industry Panel: Enhancing Métis Participation in Pipeline Builds
Morgan Yates, Vice-President, Enbridge
Melanie Omeniho, President, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
(Women of the Métis Nation)
11:15am - 12:15pm
Panel: Improving Métis Labour Market Outcomes
Tammy Web, Métis Nation of Ontario
Kerry Smith, Manitoba Métis Federation
Brett Vandale, Gabriel Dumont Institute
Guido Contreras, Rupertsland Institute
Arlene Lambert, Métis Nation British Columbia
Anne Milne & Chad Hartnell, Human Resources Development Canada
jj
12:15 – 1:15pm
LUNCHEON
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Marty Klyne, Publisher, Regina Leader Post
Salon B, Cordova Foyer
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Industry Panel: Métis Participation Power Generation
Ray Desjarlais, SaskPower
David Oxtoby, Carbonfree Technology
Julie Cafley, Vice-President, Public Policy Forum
Blake Russell, MEDO
Paul Paradis, Louis Riel Capital Corporation
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Industry Panel: Métis Participation Oil and Gas
Scot Hutton, Plains Midstream
Steve Henderson, Spectra Energy Transmission
Greg Fofonoff, SMEDCO
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Health Break
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Strategies to Enhance Métis Entrepreneurship & Businesses
Roland Duplessis, Clarence Campeau Development Fund
Steven Morse, Métis Voyageur Development Fund
Allan Clarke, Acting ADM, Aboriginal Affairs & Northern
Development
Cassandra Dorrington, President, Canadian Aboriginal & Minority
Supplier Council (CAMSC)
5:30pm
Reception: Hosted by Cassandra Dorrington, Canadian Aboriginal
Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
th
Grow
MARCH 22, 2013
8:30am - 10:00am
Panel: Improving Métis Educational Outcomes
Dr. Eric Howe, University of Saskatchewan
Sharon Conway, Louis Riel Institute
Murray Hamilton, Gabriel Dumont Institute
10:00-10:15am
Community Infrastructure and Business Readiness
Monica Brunet, Clarence Campeau Development Fund
Roland Duplessis, Clarence Campeau Development Fund
10:15am - 10:30am
Health Break
10:30am - 11:30am
Human Resources Development / the Métis Economic Strategy /
Trends in Federal Policy
David Boisvert, Métis National Council
Chad Hartnell, Human Resources Development Canada
Allan Clarke, Acting ADM, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada
11:30am - 12:00pm
Métis Mining Participation Strategy
Dr. Andrew Sharpe, Centre for Canadian Living Standards,
Author of “Labour Market Prospects for the Métis in the Canadian
Mining Industry”
12:00pm – 1:00pm
LUNCHEON
Salon B, Cordova Foyer
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Industry Panel: Enhancing Métis Participation in Mining
Derek Teevan, Detour Gold
Tammy Webb, Métis Nation of Ontario
Matt Vermette, Northern Research Group
Dick Hyman, Christian Labour Association of Canada
Steve Danners, Clarence Campeau Development Fund
2.30pm - 3:00pm
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Moderator: The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C.
jj
Biographies
HONOURABLE CHUCK STRAHL
The Honourable Chuck
Strahl was born and
raised in BC, where
he spen talmost 20
years as a logging
contractor. He was
elected as a Member
of Parliament in 1993,
and eventually re-elected 5 more times before
retiring from politics in 2011. During his public
life, Chuck served as Minister of Agriculture,
Indian Affairs, and Transport and Infrastructure.
He is currently Chair of the Security Intelligence
Review Committee (reviewing the work of CSIS),
a corporate director, and a consultant. Chuck
lives in Chilliwack, BC.
years in the Electronics field; moved into the BC
forest industry with several years as a supervisor
on the west coast and joined the Workers
Compensation Board in 1992 as a safety officer
and retired in 2006.
BRUCE DUMONT
President (MNBC)
Minister for Natural Resources
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC)
National Minister for Culture, Heritage and
Language (MNC)
Nation Minister for Health & Sport (MNC)
Bruce Dumont was born May 25th, 1944 in
Olds, Alberta, to Mother - Cecile Marie Dumont
(Vaness) from Onion Lake, Saskatchewan, and
father Joseph Ambrose Dumont from Kikino,
Alberta, both of Métis Ancestry. Bruce received
his education at the Northern Alberta Institute of
Technology (NAIT) as a Tradesman and as a result
has his Red Seal in Electronics. Bruce changed
occupation to the BC Forest Industry completing
his career with the Workers Compensation Board
of BC. After his post secondary, Bruce spent 9
As an active Métis Community Member serving
his community for many years, Bruce ran for
the position of Vice President for the Métis
Nation British Columbia and won his election
in 2004 where he served less than one (1) year
before successfully winning the election for the
position of President in 2005. Bruce is currently
serving his third term in office as President of
the Métis Nation British Columbia and is the
Minister for Natural Resources. Bruce also sits as
a Board of Governor at the national level for the
Métis National Council as Minister for Culture,
Heritage and Language and Minister for Health.
Bruce presently resides in Victoria, BC with his
Wife Joanne; together they share 7 children (4
boys and 3 girls) and 12 grandchildren (3 girls
and 9 boys) from ages 2 to 19.
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
th
Grow
CLÉMENT CHARTIER QC, is President of the
Métis National Council.
Chartier received his law
degree from the University
of
Saskatchewan
in
1978, was called to the
Saskatchewan Bar in 1980
and received the Queen’s
Counsel designation in
2004. During his political
career, Chartier has held
a number of executive positions in Indigenous
political bodies, including: Native Youth
Association of Canada Executive Director, 1973;
Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of
Saskatchewan (AMNSIS) Vice-President, 1982–
85; Métis National Council (MNC) Chairperson,
1983 and 1984/85; MNC Ambassador on
International Issues, 1993–96; MNC President,
2003 to present; World Council of Indigenous
Peoples President, 1984–87, Vice-President,
1993–97; and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
(MNS) President, 1998–2003.
PRESIDENT DAVID CHARTRAND, LL.D. (hons)
David Chartrand has been an exemplary
Métis citizen committed to public service
and the development of the Métis Nation.
He has humbly served the Manitoba Métis
and indeed the Métis people throughout the
Métis Nation Homeland for over twenty years.
David Chartrand was born
and raised in the small
Métis community of Duck
Bay, Manitoba, the son of
Martha Chartrand.
David is the fourth child
in a family of eight and
was raised by his single mother who instilled a
strong sense of the traditional values of family
and community. These values have shaped his
belief in family as the bedrock of the Métis
Nation and in people as the cornerstone of
the Manitoba Métis Federation.
David is
the proud father of Sonya and Christopher.
Together with wife Glorian, they are proud
grandparents to Trayden, Isaiah, Martha and
Ronald. David’s first language is Saulteaux.
A strong advocate for Métis rights, Chartier was
the defendants’ lawyer in R. v. Grumbo (1996),
which briefly affirmed Métis Aboriginal hunting
rights throughout Saskatchewan, and in R. v.
Morin and Daigneault (1996), which upheld the
Aboriginal fishing rights of Métis in northern
Saskatchewan and in R. v. Belhumeur (2007)
which confirmed Métis fishing rights in southern
Saskatchewan. He also served as MNC counsel
in its intervention in the 2003 Supreme Court
of Canada R. v. Powley appeal, which recognized
Métis Aboriginal hunting rights in Ontario.
In December 2010, Chartier’s book, Witness
to Resistance: Under Fire in Nicaragua was
released.
Following a career in both private and public
sector management, David worked extensively
in the field of Justice for over 10 years. In
1988 David was elected to the Manitoba
Metis Federation (MMF) Board of Directors
representing the Winnipeg Region, and was reelected four successive times. He was appointed
Acting President in 1996 and in 1997 was
elected to the office of MMF President. The
Metis people’s confidence in his leadership has
resulted in his re-election to an unprecedented
fifth consecutive term, making him the longest
serving President of the MMF.
jj
ALLAN CLARKE is the Director General, Policy and
Coordination, in the
Lands and Economic
Development
sector
of Aboriginal Affairs
and Northern Development Canada. In
this capacity he was
responsible for leading
the development of the
new Federal Framework
for Aboriginal Economic Development.
Prior to assuming his current position in March
2008, Allan was Director General of Aboriginal
Affairs, in the Department of Canadian Heritage
and was seconded to the Aboriginal Affairs
Secretariat in the Privy Council Office in 2004.
RANDY DAGGITT, VP Mining
responsibilities which have given him hands on
experience, skills and knowledge for his current
position of Vice President of Mining. Randy has
extensive experience in project development
including feasibility analysis, budgeting and
tendering of bids for construction projects.
Randy has over 30 years of combined experience
in the mining and construction industry.
Currently focused on building the mining
business across Canada, he has held progressive
MORGAN YATES, P.Eng.
Morgan is a professional engineer
(BASc Chemical Engineering, UBC, 1982)
with close to thirty
years of experience in
the upstream and midstream energy sectors.
He has worked in Canada and internationally.
Morgan is currently the Vice-President,
Aboriginal & Stakeholder Relations, Western
Access, at Enbridge Pipelines Inc. He is responsible
for managing Aboriginal & stakeholder relations
and related policies and programs for Enbridge’s
business in Western Canada.
Allan has extensive policy and program
experience in over 25 years in the public service
and, in addition to working on Aboriginal issues,
has been involved with the cultural industries,
business development and financing, intellectual
property and international trade.
Prior to his current role, Morgan held the position
of Director, Public, Government & Aboriginal
Affairs, Major Projects (Canada) for Enbridge.
In this position Morgan managed Aboriginal,
stakeholder & government (federal, provincial,
municipal) relations for Enbridge’s crude oil
mainline transportation system expansion in
Canada.
In addition to his vocational experience in the
energy industry, Morgan has enjoyed volunteer
experience with not-for-profit organizations
in both Canada and Latin America.
His
particular area of interest has been community
development and sustainability.
Morgan is a member of APEGGA (Professional
Engineer).
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
MELANIE OMENIHO has
been involved in the Women
of the Métis Nation
National Board on behalf
of the Métis Nation of
Alberta since 1999. She
was initially elected for
her first term as National
President of Les Femmes
Michif Otipemisiwak – Women of the Métis
Nation (WMN) in October 2010. In March 2012,
Ms. Omeniho was re-elected for a three-year
term and has committed to working to launch
WMN forward to represent the interests and
priorities of Métis women across the Métis
Homeland.
As the President of WMN she attempts to make
sure that the Métis traditions and culture are a
part of the initiatives that we move forward on.
Melanie Omeniho has comprehensive knowledge
and understanding of many of the issues facing
Métis women. Melanie is the past President of
Women of the Métis Nation of Alberta, which
was a provincial Métis women’s organization in
Alberta until the mid 1990’s.
Melanie has been working on issues affecting
Métis women in Alberta and Canada since the
early 1980’s. She has raised awareness about
the priorities and has been an advocate on
issues such as Violence Against Women, Métis
KERRY SMITH has been working
with the Manitoba Metis
Federation for 15 years, and is
currently the Senior Manager
th
Grow
women in the Justice system, Child Welfare,
Métis Families and Métis Women’s health. She
has participated in matters that have involved
assisting with building capacity and foundation
building both for Women of the Métis Nation
and Métis women in Alberta.
Melanie has extensive experience in the areas of
community development, social programming
and family and children services. She has worked
to develop programs and advocate on behalf of
her community to effect changes to the various
social programs to better meet the needs of
the Aboriginal community. She has received
the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and recognition for
her work in education, Aboriginal youth and
advocating for families involved with Children
Services.
Melanie is a strong, traditional Métis woman
who has strong ties to her family. She is the
proud mother of three strong Métis daughters;
one stepdaughter and one stepson, and one
granddaughter. She has raised them in the
matriarchal values that were passed on by her
grandmothers, aunties and mother. Today, she
works for the WMN as well as for the Métis
Opportunity Inc. a corporation owned by the
Métis Regional Council – Zone IV working in the
areas of Economic Development and Community
Development.
responsible for the delivery and management
of the current Aboriginal skills Employment
Training agreement with Service Canada.
jj
BRETT VANDALE
Director, Gabriel Dumont
Institute Training and
Employment
Born and raised in
Saskatoon, Brett completed his BA at the
University of Saskatchewan and BSW from the
University of Regina. Currently Brett has pursued
a Master’s Degree in Business Administration
and expects that to be completed by fall. Brett
began his career with the Prince Albert Grand
Council working with at risk youth in the mid
1990’s. In 1999, he began work as a Program
Coordinator at the Dumont Technical Institute
(DTI), and 2004 he became a Director within
GUIDO CONTRERAS
is the Associate Director of Research
and Professional
Development at
the Rupertsland
Institute. He has
served the Métis people of Alberta through
various capacities since 1998. He is responsible
for coordinating Métis Training to Employment
ANNE MILNE
In 1984, Anne started
with the department,
now known as Service
Canada, as a Project
Officer for Canadian Job
Strategy. She quickly
became a leader in
the Department in
management roles for
Human Resources, Com-munications and the
Canada/Alberta Service Centres in Edmonton.
the Gabriel Dumont Institute, having the
responsibility of managing Dumont Technical
Institute. Currently Brett, has take an 8 month
leave from DTI to take on the responsibility of
managing GDI Training and Employment on an
interim. Moving from having responsibility of
managing provincially funded programming to
the federally funded ASETS agreement has been
been a rewarding experience and has helped to
build internal capacity within GDI. Through a
provincial appointment process Brett currently
represents Metis people on the Saskatchewan
Apprenticeship
and
Trade
Certification
Commission. His professional and personal goal
is to help his Metis community build brighter
futures for themselves and their families.
research initiatives with the Rupertsland Centre
for Métis Research, and conducting labour
market trends analysis on Métis demographics
and all other associated research on behalf of
the Métis Training to Employment program. He
represents Rupertsland Institute under ASETS
negotiations at the national level and develops
strategies to strengthen internal capacities of
the Métis Training to Employment staff.
In 1996, Anne became the Edmonton and Fort
McMurray City Facilitator for Homelessness,
under the National Homelessness Initiative. As
a strong advocate in the community, Anne built
strong partnerships with the other levels of
government and non-profit organizations.
From April 2004 to September 2011, Anne Milne
was the Director, and subsequently the Executive
Director, for Processing and Payment Services
- the business line that handles Employment
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
Insurance, Pensions, Call Centres and Specialized
Processing. During this time, Anne played an
integral part in leading the department through
a significant increase in EI processing, as a
result of the economic downturn. In this role,
she ensured the smooth implementation of
the department’s newly expanded region – the
Western Canada and Territories Region (W-T
Region).
For many years, Anne has been the National
HRSDC Co-Champion for Pride and Recognition
MARTY KLYNE
Group Publisher
Leader-Post (Regina)
and The StarPhoenix
(Saskatoon), divisions of
Postmedia Network Inc.
Marty Klyne is a seasoned business leader with
expertise in business and economic development
and a history of service to the community.
In addition to the family-owned and operated
business, Maaco Collision Repair, run by his
spouse Charlene, Marty runs the Leader-Post
RAY DESJARLAIS
Supervisor, Aboriginal
Relations, SaskPower
Ray joined SaskPower
in April 1997, in the
area of strategic
communications
planning. Prior to joining SaskPower, he worked
in the communications field with various
Provincial Ministries.
In December 2009, Ray joined Aboriginal
Relations, and in November 2011, assumed
the role of Supervisor Aboriginal Relations. In
his role at SaskPower, Ray provides leadership
th
Grow
– an appropriate role for a woman who has
continuously worked hard to find innovative,
inspirational ways to doing business. In 2011,
she received the Public Service of Canada
Outstanding Career award.
In September 2011, Anne became the Executive
Director for Citizen Services and more recently,
was appointed Senior Executive Director for
Citizen Services and Program Delivery, in the
W-T Region of Service Canada.
and The StarPhoenix, divisions of Postmedia
Network Inc. For over 125 years Saskatchewan
has relied on both publications as a valued and
trusted source for news and information. The
Postmedia footprint in Saskatchewan has never
been larger and continues to grow extensively
across multiple products and platforms including
print, internet, tablet and handheld.
As part of his commitment to the community,
Marty serves on a number of committees and
boards in the community.
Born and raised in Regina, Marty graduated
With Distinction from the University of Regina.
and direction to all areas of the company
in developing mutually beneficial business
relationships with Aboriginal communities by
supporting Aboriginal economic development
activities in Saskatchewan and promoting clear
and open communication in response to social,
economic and environmental issues that are of
mutual concern to Aboriginal communities and
SaskPower.
Mr. Desjarlais enjoys spending time with his
family, golfing, and he volunteers time coaching
minor football in Regina. He and his wife, Sandi,
have two teenage boys.
jj
DAVID OXTOBY - CEO,
CarbonFree Technology Inc.
David is an experienced CEO
with a strong background in
solar power.
David founded CarbonFree
in 2006, and since then it has grown to be a
successful solar power project developer and
asset owner, active across North America.
In the Province of Ontario, CarbonFree is an
active buyer of solar power projects through
BrightRoof Solar LP, a fund established together
with Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure to own
at least $100 million worth of solar assets, and
Métis Nation of Ontario - Brightroof Solar LP,
a partnership in which the MNO has a majority
interest.
BLAKE RUSSELL
CEO, Métis Economic
Development Organization
A successful Metis entrepreneur and business leader
within Manitoba, Blake has
PAUL PARADIS is
of Metis heritage
and currently holds
the title of General
Manager for the Louis
Riel Capital Corporation. Paul came to
the Louis Riel Capital
Corporation
(LRCC)
in March 2006, and has held the position of
General Manager since September 2008. Prior to
coming to LRCC Paul enjoyed a lengthy career
From 2000 to 2006 David was Vice President
– Investments for OPG Ventures Inc., a
$70-million venture capital fund focused on
clean technologies.
David earned a BA from the University of Toronto,
a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton
University and an MBA from the Richard Ivey
School of Business at the University of Western
Ontario. He is also a CFA charterholder.
David received an Arbor Award from the
University of Toronto for his involvement over
many years on the Governing Council Business
Board and Audit Committee and the board of
the University of Toronto
held Senior Management positions with Crown
Corporations and numerous partnerships with
First Nations groups. Blake brings an extensive
background in leading business development
and is extremely passionate about economic
development for the Metis in Manitoba and
Metis groups across Canada.
of 33 years in the financial service industry
with one of the five big Chartered Banks. In his
banking career he held a variety of management
positions which included small business banking,
commercial credit and investment services
sector as well as branch management for 15
years. Paul’s array of banking and financial
experience has positioned LRCC to expand its
suite of services in the upcoming year to include
partnerships with other Metis and non-Metis
financial service providers.
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
Paul enjoys working with and for the Metis
people and businesses of Manitoba, enabling
them to create a strong environment for
economic development opportunities for Metis
entrepreneurs within the Province of Manitoba.
He has assembled a team of dedicated and
supportive professionals to work with the Metis
GREG FOFONOFF
Chief Executive Officer
of Sask-Métis Economic
Development Corporation (SMEDCO) since
1997, employed by
SMEDCO since 1992.
Manager, Meridian Business Development Center Corporation (a
ROLAND DUPLESSIS
CEO – Clarence Campeau
Development Fund
Roland Duplessis has over
40 years of management,
finance and economic
development experience.
His previous employers
include Borg Warner Acceptance Canada Ltd,
The Royal Bank, P.A Credit Union, Saskatchewan
Economic Development Corporation, the Métis
Nation of Alberta and currently the Clarence
Campeau Development Fund. Roland joined
th
Grow
people and is very appreciative of the strong
support he receives from his Board of Directors.
Paul and his wife Linda reside in Winnipeg.
They have raised two children and are proud
grandparents.
Community Futures Business Development
Corporation) from 1988 to 1992. Masters of
Business Administration from the University of
Saskatchewan 1983.
I have been involved in the small business
development field in Saskatchewan for over 25
years as a business consultant or manager of a
small business developmental lending agency.
the Métis Nation of Alberta as the Economic
Development Sector Advisor in 1991 and
remained in that position until 1997 when he
returned to Saskatchewan. He joined a newly
created Métis Development Fund (CCDF) in 1998
and has managed the Fund through various
stages of growth including its legislation under
the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporations Act in
2001. The Fund is highly successful in providing
various forms of equity and quasi equity to
Métis business in the province and continues
to explore new and innovative ways to support
Métis economic development.
jj
STEVEN MORSE is the
Chief Executive Officer
of the Métis Voyageur
Develop m e n t F u n d
(MVDF).
Steven first entered
the field of Economic
Development as an Area Economic Development
Officer in Nunavut for the Government of
the Northwest Territories. He later acted as
a Business Specialist for Kakivak Association,
an Aboriginal Financial Institution. Kakivak
is part of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and
a Designated Inuit Organization under the
Nunavut land claim. Steven’s work as a Business
Specialist included setting up loan and grant
programs, providing advice on new ventures and
IBAs, and managing the business subsidiaries
of the Association. Steven then set up and
managed Dogrib Area Community Futures,
another Aboriginal Financial Institution, which,
CASSANDRA DORRINGTON
President of CAMSC – the
Canadian Aboriginal and
Minority Supplier Council,
Cassandra Dorrington leads
the charge of delivering
programs and processes t o
p r o m o t e a n d facilitate
procurement opportunities
between major corporations in Canada, and
suppliers of all sizes owned and operated by
Canadian Aboriginals and Minorities. In her two
years at the helm, she has been instrumental
in expanding the CAMSC brand across Canada
and significantly growing the supplier base in
Canadian marketplace.
As a result of CAMSC’s growing prominence
in the business community, Cassandra sits as a
on the signing of the TliCho Land Claim and
Self-Governing Agreement, was structured as
part of the new TliCho government. The NWT
Métis-Dene Development Fund (MDDF) was the
third Aboriginal Financial Institution that Steven
managed prior to joining MVDF and is the largest
Aboriginal Financial Institute in the Northern
Territories. While at MDDF Steven helped pioneer
the use of standby irrevocable letters of credit
by AFIs. Steven’s last position before joining
MVDF was Chief Executive Officer for both
the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations
Association (NACCA), the national association
of the Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and
the National Aboriginal Contractors Support
Incorporation (NACSI).
Steven studied Economics and Philosophy at
Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of
Western Ontario and is currently furthering his
education through SOAS at the University of
London.
member of the Toronto 2015 Diversity Advisory
Council and the Toronto Board of Trade Diversity
Council and she has been a frequent speaker at
seminars and conferences both nationally and
internationally.
Currently, Cassandra sits as the Chair for
the National Board of Directors of Certified
Management Accountants of Canada, the CoChair of the newly merger CMA /CA organization
- CPA Canada, and Chair for the Black Business
Enterprise in Nova Scotia.
In addition to her wide range of experiences
in the business world, Cassandra’s community
involvement has garnered her a Commemorative
Medal for the 125th anniversary of Canadian
Confederation, the YWCA Woman of Distinction
award for Community Service and a 2010
Women of Excellence award.
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
DR. ERIC C. HOWE
Eric Howe received his
B.A. (1973, cum laude)
from Wittenberg University
and Ph.D. (1982) from
University of Maryland. He
was a Graduate Fellow at
University of Maryland,
where his education
included research ex-perience with INFORUM,
the Interindustry Forecasting Project. His formal
education has been supplemented by extensive
practical experience performing economic
SHARON CONWAY is
a Metis educator from
the Turtle Mountains in
Southwest Manitoba.
She has worked as a
classroom teacher in
the Inner City and a
support teacher, writing
Aboriginal curriculum
for the Winnipeg School Division. Sharon’s
other curriculum experience includes being the
primary writer for the K-4 Aboriginal Culture
and Language Curriculum and the K-4 Social
Studies Curriculum.
Sharon came to work for the Manitoba Metis
Federation (MMF) on a secondment from
the Winnipeg School Division to develop the
Standing Tall program. In 2010, she resigned
from the division to become the Director of
Provincial Education for the MMF. In 2011,
she became the Acting General Manager of
Louis Riel Institute, the culture and education
th
Grow
analyses for a number of governments,
corporations, and NGO’s.
Eric joined the University of Saskatchewan in
1979, where he is a professor of economics. His
specialties are Aboriginal social policy research,
economic forecasting, economic modelling,
microeconomic theory, forensic economics, and
the economies of the Canadian prairies and
arctic. His research is documented in an extensive
list of publications in professional journals. He
has received numerous teaching awards.
authority for the MMF, with a recent promotion
to General Manager.
She has represented the Metis Nation on
numerous provincial committees, including the
Premier’s Advisory Council (PAC), the Lieutenant
Governor’s Youth Experience Program (LGYEP),
ANCR, the Oversight Committee for Children
and Youth with Mental Health Issues (OCCYMH),
Aboriginal Education Research Forum (AERF) and
MERN. She is chair of a Metis local in Winnipeg,
and a proud resident of Winnipeg’s North End.
Sharon is a grandmother of 3…her inspiration
to make the Education system better. She is a
Masters in Education Candidate at the University
of Manitoba. She has received the Distinguished
Leader in Education from the MMF, the Research
and Curriculum Development Award from ACE
and most recently the Diamond Jubilee Award
from the Lieutenant Governor for her work in
the community.
jj
MONICA BRUNET
Director - Métis
Economic Development
Sector
Clarence Campeau
Development Fund
Monica Brunet is a
Métis woman who
was born and raised in
rural Saskatchewan near
Batoche. Monica has been employed with the
Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF)
for 10 years where she has been directly involved
in Métis business development. During that time
she worked as the office manager and a Business
Development Specialist servicing the southern
part of the province. This area developed
rapidly and after a review of Clarence Campeau
Development Fund in 2009, it was determined
DAVID BOISVERT
David Boisvert is
a consultant who
has worked with
the Métis National
Council and other
Métis organizations
for the past 30
years. He has acted
CHAD HARTNELL
Chad Hartnell joined
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
(HRSDC) in August 2010.
He is the Director of
Horizontal Policy in the
that full-time representation was required and
CCDF expanded into Regina. Monica has been
credited for this expansion.
For the last 3 years Ms. Brunet has taken on
the role as the Director of the Métis Economic
Development Sector within CCDF. This sector
had to be established from the ground up
and has created the first ever “Saskatchewan
Métis Business Directory”. It has also led to
the expansion of new programs to give special
opportunities to women and youth.
As the Director of the Métis Economic
Development Sector, Ms. Brunet collaborates
with Government and Industry liaisons in
pursuit of building relationships that supporting
research and analysis of procurement policies
and opportunities for Métis business in various
sectors.
as Senior Policy Advisor on Human Resources
Development since 2001 and was involved in
negotiations surrounding the renewal of the
Aboriginal Human Resources Development
Strategy and ASETS. He was educated at the
University of Alberta (BA Honours) and at
Queen’s University (Masters of Political Studies).
He lives in Winnipeg with his wife Deanna.
Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, overseeing policy
development as it relates Aboriginal Labour
Market programming. Before joining HRSDC,
Chad worked with the Privy Council Office as
well as with Health Canada in the First Nations
and Inuit Health Branch.
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
DR. ANDREW SHARPE
Andrew Sharpe is founder
and Executive Director
of
the
Ottawa-based
Centre for the Study of
Living Standards (CSLS).
Established in 1995, CSLS
is a national, independent,
non-profit research organization whose main
objective is to study trends and determinants
of productivity, living standards and economic
well-being. He has held a variety of earlier
positions, including Head of Research at the
Canadian Labour Market and Productivity
DEREK TEEVAN
Derek Teevan has valuable experience in
leading stakeholder engagement in the areas of
economic development,
environmental and regulatory approval and
impact benefit agreement
negotiations for companies, government and
First Nation communities. Prior to joining Detour
Gold, he was employed by De Beers Canada from
2004 to 2009, where he was Director, Government
and Corporate Affairs. He played a key role in
MATT VERMETTE, CEO – Northern Research
Group (NRG)
Matt Vermette is currently the Chief Executive
Officer of Northern Research Group (NRG) Inc.
and works out of the company’s head office
located in Prince Albert, SK. Through NRG,
Mr. Vermette works with Métis communities,
agencies, and entrepreneurs throughout
Saskatchewan in the areas of Aboriginal
th
Grow
Centre and Chief, Business Sector Analysis at the
Department of Finance. He holds a M.A. and Ph.D
in economics from McGill University, a maitrise
in urban geography from the Université de
Paris-Sorbonne, and a B.A. from the University
of Toronto. He is also founder and Editor of
the International Productivity Monitor, codeveloper (with Lars Osberg) of the composite
Index of Economic Well-being, a consultant
to the World Bank on labor market issues,
and Executive Director of the International
Association for Research on Income and Wealth,
an international research association dedicated
to the advancement of knowledge relating to
income and wealth.
the environmental assessment and permitting
of the Victor diamond mine in northern
Ontario. Derek has successfully led Aboriginal
consultations and negotiations of impact and
benefits agreements on multiple projects each
with over 1.1 billion capital costs. In addition
Derek has been a Special Advisor for the Minister
of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
a consultant where he provided guidance and
developed socio-economic initiatives mainly
for First Nation communities and municipal
governments. Mr. Teevan received his Master’s
Degree in Environmental Studies from York
University in 1997.
consultation and engagement, business
development, economic development, and
resource and environmental management. Over
the years, Mr. Vermette has held a number of
research and academic positions within the
University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the
Study of Agriculture, Law, and the Environment,
the Department of Bioresource Policy, Business,
and Economics, and the Indigenous Peoples’
Resource Management Program.
jj
STEVE DANNERS
Director – Métis Energy &
Resource Program
Clarence Campeau
Development Fund
Since March 1, 2010, Mr.
Danners has been the
Director of the Metis
Energy and Resource
Program(MERP). Originally from Winnipeg,
Mr. Danners brings over 23 years finance
and commercial credit experience, joining
CCDF on October 1, 2005. Prior experience
includes Superior Acceptance, Teachers Credit
Union, CitiFinancial and Sask Metis Economic
Development Corporation. Mr. Danners joined
Superior Acceptance in 1990 where he managed
SCOT HUTTON has been working in the field of
Community and Aboriginal Relations for over
16 years working as an Independent Consultant
(Impact Consulting Ltd.), with the Government
of BC (Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum
Resources and Ministry of Agriculture and Land),
with First Nations (Resource Development,
Education, Training and Capacity Building for
10 Kwakwaka’wakw Nations), Academically
(Instructor of Aboriginal Studies at Vancouver
Island University), and Industry (Husky Energy
and Plains Midstream Canada). He has worked
closely with over 50 Aboriginal communities in
BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Most often called upon as an expert at
Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement
Strategies, Traditional Land Use and TEK studies,
successful branches in Medicine Hat and Calgary
and was regionally recognized for branch
growth and delinquency control. He then
came back to Saskatchewan in 1994 joining
the team at Teachers Credit Union. In 1999 Mr.
Danners brought forward this experience and
professional attitude to CitiFinancial again being
recognized for outstanding achievement. The
MERP has allowed CCDF to provide clients with
equity and other forms of financing, as well as
provide expertise to communities and clients on
projects related to energy and resource. MERP
has also successfully advocated on behalf of
Metis businesses to industry and government,
providing information on procurement and
helping to ensure fair and equal access to
contracts.
and community social impact assessment and
feasibility studies, Scot is perhaps most adept
at relationship building- working towards
innovative agreements and partnerships, as well
as meaningful programs and policies.
His recent move to Plains Midstream to build
out their Community and Aboriginal Relations
Department has meant working with Industry,
the Crown and Aboriginal Communities to
help strengthen those communities assisting
them to become more economically and
socially sustainable by promoting community
participation and consultation with indigenous
cultural values leading the visioning process. His
approach has always focused on collaboration,
facilitation, innovation and building strong and
long lasting partnerships.
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
th
Grow
DICK HEINEN has been
the Executive Director
of the Christian Labour
Association of Canada
(CLAC) since 2007 and has
responsibility for all CLAC
affairs at the national level, including the activity
of the representatives and the support structure
that serves the 55,000 union members. Mr.
Heinen has been a member of CLAC since 1968,
is married with 6 boys and 13 grandchildren.
JULIE CAFLEY joined Canada’s
Public Policy Forum as VicePresident in August, 2010.
Julie leads the membership
strategy for the Forum and also
manages projects in the areas
of public sector governance
and innovation, such as a
series examining aboriginal participation in
major natural resource opportunities, innovation
in Canada’s natural resource sector and a project
on youth civic engagement. She also has a keen
interest in diversity and innovation.
Julie holds a Master’s degree in Educational
Administration from the University of Ottawa
(along with her BA and BEd) and is currently
pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership. Her
thesis focuses on higher education leadership
through the lens of unfinished mandates of
Canadian university presidents.
Previously, as the senior staff member to two
presidents of the University of Ottawa, Julie
Caley played a key role in enhancing the profile
and visibility of the University. As Chief of Staff
in the Office of the President at the University of
Ottawa, Julie worked closely with the President
and Vice-Presidents to develop and implement
strategic initiatives. Julie led the student
recruitment and liaison office before her time in
the President’s office.
In 2012, she was chosen as one of the delegates
for the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership
Conference. And, in 2010, she was honoured
as one of the Ottawa Business Journal’s top
40 under forty for her business achievement,
expertise and community involvement.
Julie is very passionate about the advancement
of women in the workplace and has championed
initiatives such as the University’s Women and
Leadership Series. She sits on the Advisory Board
of Informed Opinions and was the inspiration
behind the Cafley Committee website
(cafleycommittee.org), a website designed to
encourage the nomination of female leaders for
external prizes and recognition.
jj
Notes
jj
M ét
is Na
ic conom
tion E
&
hip
Indust
ry Round Table j Skills, Partners
Notes
jj
th
Grow
Notes
jj