SPEAKER BIOS

8th Annual Forum

October 8-10, 2024 | Terrace, BC

Masters of Ceremonies

Hal Eagletail

Hal Eagletail is member of the Northern Dene TsuuT’ina Nation. Located in the Treaty 7 area of southern Alberta.

He is the owner of Eaglestar Enterprises Ltd. A company that specializes in Cultural consultant work for all industries. He also owns a bottle depot business and partners with Pacific Developers known as Eagle Pacific.

Hal helps hospital patients get back to health with traditional knowledge of herbs and ceremony. He is also a Master of Ceremonies for First Nation Pow Wows and Round Dance celebrations across North America. He also facilitates conferences and workshops.

He has traveled international taking Native dance troupe’s to help educate and promote First Nations history and cultural identity. He’s traveled to New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany, France and England. In 2007 he was asked by the Alberta Government to represent First Nations of Alberta at the Smithsonian Folklife festival in Washington DC on Historical Evolution of Alberta’s Native Peoples.

Humour is one of First Nations best healing medicines and Hal has no shortage of that to prescribe.

Karolina Wenzel

Sponsor Coordinator,
Nation2Nation Events

With a background in Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development, Karolina is passionate about bringing all stakeholders to the table when it comes to economic development and resource use. Karolina's love of people and communication ensures she has a blast while building relationships and making connections with companies and individuals wishing to support the goals and visions of Nation2Nation. Karolina has experience working in adult education and employment in the North and as a translator and contractor. She is also a passionate mom, gardener and outdoor explorer.

DAY 2 SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE 1 | Topic: Step into the River: A Framework for Economic Reconciliation

WORKSHOP 2 | Topic: Delving into Indigenous Values Driven Economy

Sxwpilemaát Siyám
Chief Leanne Joe

Sxwpilemaát Siyám, also known as Chief Leanne Joe, of the Squamish Nation, is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation and the first female Chief of her Lackett Joe Family. She shares her traditional name with her late father, Sxwpilem Siyám, Chief Philip Joe. Sxwpilemaát Siyám is also a descendent of the Kwakwaka’wakw speaking people and carries the traditional name of Q-Gee-Sea Loud and the Thomas family of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Sxwpilemaát Siyám was born and raised on the beautiful shores of North Vancouver while having close relations to her roots on the east coast shores of Vancouver Island. Her family lives in her husband’s ancestral territory of the Sylix and Nlaka’pam speaking people, aka Merritt, BC.

Sxwpilemaát Siyám holds space in many organizations, focusing her work on Economic Reconciliation, rematrician and education. She owns her own consulting company, Siyam Consulting. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Squamish Nation Trust, Board member of the New Relationship Trust and the Women in Leadership Foundation and advisory to other committees. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Business, CED Certificate, and other related training and experience.

Her greatest role is being a mom. Her son is paying witness to the legacy work she embodies every day.

W: www.siyamconsulting.com | E: hello@siyamconsulting.com |LinkedIn: /chief-leanne-joe

PANEL SESSION 1 | Topic: New Technology and a Greener Economy

Tobin Seagel

Regulatory Strategist & Project Developer
Trigon

With over 18 years of experience, Tobin is a seasoned regulatory strategist and project developer specializing in the energy, transportation, and mining sectors. Known for a solutions-oriented approach and critical thinking skills, he has provided leadership on many successful projects from inception through to operations, including groundbreaking initiatives in Canada such as the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal, the Northwest Hydro Projects, and most recently has been supporting Trigon on their LPG and low-carbon export project initiatives.

  • As an independent consultant since September 2023, Tobin focuses on regulatory strategy, project development leadership, engagement, and risk management. He excels at building cross-disciplinary teams and fostering relationships with Indigenous groups, communities, and regulators, believing that the success of a project is closely tied to these partnerships.

    He has led regulatory strategies for many complex projects, ensuring compliance and fostering constructive dialogues among stakeholders. 

     

    Tobin holds a Master of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary and multiple professional certifications, including Registered Professional Biologist and Project Management Professional. He is committed to advancing environmental stewardship and regulatory excellence across North America, and when not working can be found skiing, hiking, biking, and chasing his two year old around Whistler.

Deklan Corstanje

Manager, Economic Development
Northern BC Hydrogen Hub

Deklan Corstanje is the Manager of Economic Development at the City of Prince George and is responsible for supporting economic growth and diversity for his community. His strengths in strategic planning, relationship building, research, and project management help him achieve his Council’s goals of optimizing Prince George’s investment readiness, improving Prince George’s position as an economic hub, and increasing and maintaining industrial activity in Prince George.

As the lead of the Northern BC Hydrogen Hub, Deklan has supported the development of a low-carbon fuel sector in Prince George and the region and connected meaningful business with the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, funders and government leaders.

Kaelin Hickford

Director of Community Growth and Development
Unify Partners

Kaelin is the Director of Community Growth at Unify Partners; she has worked across multiple sectors, consulting for organizations such as NASA and Homeland Security before embarking on a career in technology as Lululemon’s youngest Product Manager and subsequently heading to the Bay Area to scale sustainability and B2C / B2B startups.

‍Kaelin is a self described “policy nerd,” holding a BA from the University of British Columbia in Honours Political Science and an MSc with distinction from the London School of Economics in Political Science and Economic Policy. Kaelin’s education and deep experience across multiple sectors has lent her a keen eye for development and impact, which she pairs with a strong passion for community. 

She is driven by passion and grit and is a firm believer in driving impact by doing. Kaelin spends her free time in the mountains of BC with her dog Stinson, mountain biking and skiing (she’s almost as fast as Stinson!)

GUEST SPEAKER 1 | Topic: State of the North

Joel McKay

CEO
Northern Development

Joel McKay is the CEO of Northern Development, a regional development corporation focused on  stimulating economic growth in Northern British Columbia. Joel joined Northern Development in 2012,  where he handled the Trust’s communications and marketing and research. Prior to that, Joel was  assignment editor at Business in Vancouver Newspaper and a journalist specializing in coverage of B.C.’s  natural resource industries. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2016, the Trust has more than doubled its  assets under management to exceed $600 million, modernized its identity, programs, and systems, and  positioned itself as a key public sector partner for communities and senior orders of government on  important initiatives such as broadband connectivity, ground transportation, agriculture, and  community development. 

Joel is an award-winning journalist, public relations professional, and author. He currently serves as  Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Northern British Columbia, and previously served on  the board of Destination BC, where he chaired the finance and audit committee. He was born and raised  in the Lower Mainland. Today, Joel calls Prince George home where he lives with his wife and two  daughters. He spends his spare time fishing and writing fiction.

Denise Mullen

Director, Environment, Sustainability, & Indigenous Relations
BCBC

Denise has more than three decades of experience in natural resource management sector and information technology. She has worked extensively with all levels of government, other stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples in the development of policy, legislation, information technology systems, and the review and permitting of major projects. She is an accomplished policy analyst, researcher, and writer. She leads the development of public policy positions across a range of natural systems that intersect with business development, facilitates conversations about issues that matter — provincial, national, and international.

Denise’s professional experience includes working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. She has led major project reviews, contributed to development of a wide array of environmental legislation and regulations across the natural resources sector, authored guidelines for project review, participant assistance, annual reports, stakeholder surveys. In her current role she is responsible for researching and writing public policy discussion papers and regulatory submissions on everything from biodiversity to emissions pricing.

MODERATOR

Golnoosh Namazi

Executive Director
Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce

PANEL SESSION 2 | Topic: Benefiting from opportunities, minimizing the impacts, while co-designing our future

Robin Sydneysmith

Director Human Environment
Hatfield

  • Prior to joining AME, Keerit spent two years with the BC provincial government at the Environmental Assessment Office and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, where he focused on promoting permit efficiency for mineral exploration projects and operationalizing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, striving to build permitting certainty to both companies and First Nations.

    Keerit has also practiced regulatory and Aboriginal law across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, oil sands, pipelines, LNG and mining. Over his career, he has assisted companies and First Nations to develop impact benefit agreements and negotiate joint venture deals and equity investment for First Nations in the natural resource sector.

    Keerit holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Windsor. He completed a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor at the University of Alberta, with an applied focus on natural resources and Aboriginal law.

Graham Geeraert

Chairperson
Cheslatta Carrier Nation Economic Development Corporation

I've lived in Terrace for 70 years. I have a grade 10 education, apprenticed to become red seal trades person degree (Ironworker).

I worked in the forest and Constuction Industry eventually initiating my own construction company. which I Operated from 1987 to 2022. Over the years I managed many projects of varying sizes and degrees of difficulty from 2 persons to 300 persons

My strengths are project management, problem solving and coaching the younger generations. Hobbies  are canoeing wilderness areas, and am an armature blacksmith.

Recently I was elected as chair person of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation Economic Development Corporation.

MODERATOR

Ryan Bruce

BC Manager of Government Relations,
CLAC

Ryan Bruce grew up on Vancouver Island on the traditional territory of the Penelakut and Halalt First Nations. He now lives on the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation. Inspired by The North American Indigenous games held in his hometown of Cowichan in 2008, Ryan established and co-chaired the “Walk of the Nations” an event focussed on building new levels of understanding, mutual respect, and trust between indigenous and non indigenous communities. Ryan is CLAC’s BC Manager of Government Relations. He is excited to be part of an organization that understands the importance of building meaningful relationship with the nations who’s territory our members are working on. CLAC recognizes the value of training to employment initiatives aimed at helping members of indigenous communities train for jobs of today while building careers for tomorrow.

PANEL SESSION 3 | Topic: Sustainable Mining in Northwest BC: Innovation, Partnerships & Indigenous Engagement

Keerit Jutla

President & CEO
AME | Association for Mineral Exploration

Keerit is the President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (“AME”). He is a lawyer with a decade of experience in the natural resource sector, working with and acting for both mining companies and First Nations. Keerit is passionate about responsible natural resource development and brings with him a depth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the entire spectrum of mineral exploration and development.

  • Prior to joining AME, Keerit spent two years with the BC provincial government at the Environmental Assessment Office and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, where he focused on promoting permit efficiency for mineral exploration projects and operationalizing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, striving to build permitting certainty to both companies and First Nations.

    Keerit has also practiced regulatory and Aboriginal law across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, oil sands, pipelines, LNG and mining. Over his career, he has assisted companies and First Nations to develop impact benefit agreements and negotiate joint venture deals and equity investment for First Nations in the natural resource sector.

    Keerit holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Windsor. He completed a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor at the University of Alberta, with an applied focus on natural resources and Aboriginal law.

Calvin Carlick

VP of Partnerships
TNDC

Sabrina Lakhani

Superintendent, Brucejack Social Performance,
Newmont Corporation

Sabrina was born and raised in the Northwest Territories and is now working for operations in BC's Golden Triangle. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between mining operations and local and Indigenous communities in creating shared-value, and meaningful, positive relationships. Her role draws on her strengths and experience in community engagement, development, and Indigenous relations.

 

Sabrina is a master's graduate from the University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institutes Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM).

MODERATOR

Robert Pictou

Producer/Host,
Open Connection

WORKSHOP 1 | Topic: Cultivating Talent: Workforce Strategies from an Indigenous Perspective

PANEL SESSION 1 | Topic: New Technology and a Greener Economy (Moderator)

Ja'-elle Leite

Ultralogix

Ja'-elle embodies resilience and leadership rooted in her Métis heritage and she upholds her lineage's traditions with dedication. Her leadership spans councils, gatherings, and boards that bridge communities, empower women, foster Indigenous partnerships, and community engagement.

 

Her analytical prowess shines through her unique storytelling-with-data approach, making complex information accessible and impactful. Her diverse career in project management and technical roles across construction and oil and gas industries has equipped her with a multifaceted perspective. This, combined with her cultural sensitivity, enables her to lead projects that respect cultural values and ethical standards.

 

Ja'-elle’s leadership ensures that projects are not only successful but also leave a lasting, positive impact on communities and the environment.

DAY 3 SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE 2 | Topic: Indigenous Financial Sovereignty: Trends and What’s Next

Bill Lomax, LL.B., MBA

President and CEO
First Nations Bank of Canada

Bill Lomax is the President and CEO of the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) and a member of the Gitxsan Nation. Bill grew up in Terrace, B.C. and studied in Vancouver before heading south to spend 22 years working on Wall Street and in Private equity in the United States. As a graduate of UBC’s law school and after obtaining his MBA at Columbia University, Mr. Lomax began his career as a lawyer facilitating land claim negotiations for the British Columbia Treaty Commission. He later worked for the Canadian Federal Department of Justice before entering the investment sector in the United States, working for firms such as Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs.

Lomax believes the First Nations Bank of Canada will be a catalyst to create economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable in Indigenous Nations and communities. His deep experience in the US will serve him well. He worked with Native American Tribes across the US and was entrusted with over $5B in Indigenous investment and banking assets over the course of his career. 

The First Nations Bank of Canada is a federally chartered bank, with decades of experience serving Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples throughout Canada. The FNBC has 10 branches and 11 community banking centres in six provinces and three territories and more than $1B in holdings.

PANEL SESSION 4 | Topic: Outlook for the Forestry Sector

Dennis Callaghan

Chief Executive Officer
The ROGA Group

CEO Dennis Callaghan, BA, MBA, CPA, CMA has been with the ROGA Group since 2018. Dennis provides forward-thinking insight into the businesses, overseeing roughly 200 employees across 9 different divisions . The ROGA Group, including Kyah Resources Ltd. jointly owned with the Witset First Nation, harvests over 1.5 million cubic metres of timber annually.

MODERATOR

Brian Frenkel

Councillor, District of Vanderhoof
UBCM Past President

Brian Frenkel is a retired small business owner and has worked in forest and environmental industry for over 40 years. He was born in Prince George and has been a resident of Vanderhoof since 1983. He is married and has two children, and three granddaughters. Brian has been a Vanderhoof councillor for 23 years and has also served on the boards of North Central Local Government Association, Union of British Columbia Municipalities, The Municipal Pension Board, The Managed Forest Council of BC and Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia.

 Brian has been working tirelessly to make his community and the North a focal point for collaboration and change; his dedication and passion for community has been at the forefront of everything he does. People are the creators of change and that passion to effect change is central to why Brian has represented Vanderhoof at the local, provincial and federal level.

Troy A. Sam

Assistant Manager
Kalum Ventures Ltd

Worked in forestry for 20 years, when Kalum Ventures was first incorporated, and has been part of the Kitsumkalum Band Council since 2007.   Currently the Assistant manager for Kalum Ventures Ltd, and Deputy Chief Councillor for Kitsumkalum Band.   Kitsumkalum has just initialled off their Treaty agreement and is in the Ratification process with the community members.

Rick Brouwer

President
Westland Resources Limited

Rick Brouwer is a Registered Professional Forester and is the President of Westland Resources Limited.

Rick has deep knowledge and experience in all aspects of resource management operations and administration throughout coastal and northern BC. He works with First Nations, local and provincial governments, and the forest and energy industries to provide professional, practical, and innovative solutions.

Rick specializes in:

  • Policy development and strategic analysis and advice

  • Landscape-level analyses

  • Program development, management and supervision

  • Strategic and operational planning, including land use and forest stewardship plans

  • Timber reconnaissance, valuation, and development

  • Tenure and permit acquisition, administration and tracking

  • Organizational development: facilitation, visioning, funding applications.

PANEL SESSION 5 | Topic: Reconciliation in Action: Elevating Indigenous Enterprises on the Stock Exchange

MODERATOR

Grant Barley

President
Strategies North Advisory Inc

Grant is a Registered Professional Forester, and has 12 years of experience working in heavy civil construction and over 20 years in resource development. He specializes in operations, procurement, negotiation, and building partnerships, and his particular technical and strategic expertise is in seeing a project through from idea through to completion. These projects have ranged from the development of deep-water ports to mines to oil & gas. At Strategies North, he is in charge of business development and operational oversight, and spends much of his time doing advocacy in government on behalf of our clients.

Rob McLeod

Chief Executive Officer and Director
Nations Royalty

Born and raised in the mining town of Stewart, British Columbia, Mr. McLeod is a geologist, third-generation miner, and entrepreneur. With 30 years of diverse experience for major and junior mining Companies in a variety of metallogenic environments and mineral deposit types, primarily in BC, Alaska, Yukon, Nunavut, Ontario, and Nevada. As CEO and VP, Exploration, he has led many successful explorers and development companies such as IDM Mining and Underworld Resources.


  • Mr. McLeod is the lead technical advisor to the Fiore Group of Companies, Executive Chair of Blackwolf Copper and Gold, Director of Dolly Varden Silver, and Advisor to West Red Lake Gold Mines. An active mining industry volunteer, he is a past Chair of AMEBC and serves on the Board of the Britannia Mine Museum.




    He is inspired by his father and former mayor of Stewart, Ian McLeod, who was a close ally of Nisga’a leadership on matters affecting the Pacific Northwest for many decades. As a mining union leader, Ian McLeod helped run election campaigns starting in 1949 for Dr. Frank Calder, the first indigenous person to serve Public Elected office for any provincial legislature in Canada, representing the Atlin riding which encompassed the Nass Valley and Stewart, serving until 1979. This spirit of working together helped inspire Mr. McLeod to work with citizens of the Nisga’a Nation to launch Nations Royalty.

Charles Morven

Secretary-Treasurer
Nisga'a Lisims Government

Charles Morven is the newly elected Secretary – Treasurer of Nisga’a Lisims Government. Charles also sits on the BCAFN Board of Directors.

Charles Morven is a member of the Nisga’a Nation and belongs to Wilps Axdii Wil Luugooda and Ksim Xsaan.  Charles currently holds the Nisga’a name, Daaxheet. Secretary – Treasurer Morven originates from the community of Gitlaxt’aamiks. Charles holds the responsibility chairing both Nisga’a Finance Committee and Nisga’a Capital Finance Committee. Secretary – Treasurer Morven also oversees and works with the Management of the Nisga’a Settlement Trust.

  • Secretary – Treasurer Morven has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in First Nations Studies through UNBC and a certificate in Advanced Management attained through the UBC Sauder’s School of Business.  A future educational goal for Charles is to obtain a Masters in Business Administration.

    Charles also served as Council Representative for the Northwest on the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) from 2012-2016. Charles had the responsibilities while on the FNHC as chairperson for the Northwest Regional Table, Partnership Table with Northern Health Authority and the Policy Committee.

    Secretary-Treasurer Morven currently resides in the community of Gitwinksihlkw the home of beautiful wife Nicole Morven.  Charles and Nicole have one daughter Peyton Azak-Morven. 

GUEST SPEAKER 2 | Topic: Crafting Change: Integrating Indigenous Values in the Workforce

Mary French

President
All Nations United

Mary is a Coast Salish connector, communicator, and relationship builder with deep public and private sector ties across many regions of Canada.

Originally from Homalco First Nation on Vancouver Island, Mary has had a distinguished career in law enforcement serving as an RCMP police officer, where her work had a particular focus on community, family and children’s safety.

Mary has also served and advocated as an outreach worker within the school system, supporting children at risk in finding educational success. Most recently, Mary has played a strategic role in a major Canadian energy project, where her work focused on enhancing community safety, Indigenous engagement, and Indigenous economic opportunity for many Indigenous communities in Western Canada. In all contexts, Mary is a fierce advocate for Indigenous partnerships, engagement, and building forward-looking and practical solutions that enhance future opportunities for Canadian communities and workers.

Mary’s commitment to her family is and always has been a priority.

FIRESIDE CHAT | Topic: Energizing the Economy: BC's High-Voltage Balancing Act

MODERATOR

Barry Penner

Chair
Energy Futures Institute, Resource Works

Barry Penner, KC is Chair of the Energy Futures Institute, which was launched in 2023 with the goal of refreshing the conversation on important energy issues.

Mr. Penner served as BC’s Minister of Environment, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Attorney General during his four terms as an elected member of the British Columbia legislature. A practicing lawyer, Mr. Penner represented the ridings of Chilliwack, Chilliwack-Kent and Chilliwack-Hope between 1996 to 2012. During this time, he also served as both President and Vice President for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and chaired a number of Legislative Committees. 

As Minister of Environment, Mr. Penner introduced BC’s first climate action plan which included North America’s first revenue-neutral carbon tax. Throughout his time in elected office, Mr. Penner was known as an advocate for responsible energy development. 


Ellis Ross

Former MLA


Stewart Muir

Chief Executive Officer
Resource Works Society

Stewart Muir is the founder and executive director of Resource Works, a Vancouver-based organization focused on raising awareness about the importance of natural resources to personal well-being. As a writer and commentator, Muir specializes in exploring the connections between Canada's natural resource economy and the quality of life of Canadians.


  • With a background in journalism and history, Muir has dedicated his career to understanding and communicating the complex relationships between resource development, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity. 

    He is an award-winning journalist and has contributed to several publications, including co-authoring "The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia". 

    In 2020, Muir founded the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase, an annual event that highlights successful collaborations between Indigenous communities and the business sector. This initiative has become an important platform for showcasing reconciliation in action and fostering economic partnerships. Most recently, Muir has expanded his reach as the host of the new podcast "Power Struggle," where he delves into pressing issues surrounding energy and resource development.

    Through his work at Resource Works and various other initiatives, Muir continues to be a prominent voice in discussions about sustainable resource development and its impact on Canadian society.