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Assembly of First Nations, Building on Success Conference Whitehorse, Yukon.
Conference Speakers
Click on Name for Biography
Regional Chief Eric Morris Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region
Eric's Indian name is Guchnauw meaning Dead Wolf "One Who Disciplines". He was born into the Dahkleweidi - Eagle Clan of the Inland Tlingit of Teslin, Yukon.
His post secondary education was primarily in the field of Education and was employed by Teslin Tlingit Council for many years in their Educational Programs. Mr. Morris held the position of Deputy Chief for three years and then Chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council (a Self–Governing First Nation) for 8 years. He held the position of Acting Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations and has sat on various committees, working groups and boards.
Regional Chief Morris sits on the Executive Committee and currently holds the Portfolio Assignment of "Environment and Economy" for the Assembly of First Nations.
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National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. In July 2009, A-in-chut was elected to a three-year mandate as National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations.
A-in-chut served two terms as Regional Chief of the BC AFN. In this time, he committed to the principles of working together through inclusion and respect. In March 2005, a historic Leadership Accord was signed, overcoming decades of discord among First Nations leadership in BC.
A-in-chut graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (in partnership with University of British Columbia, University of the Western Cape South Africa, and University of Linkoping Sweden). In 2008, A-in-chut’s commitment to education was recognized in his appointment as Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, becoming BC’s first indigenous Chancellor.
A-in-chut is supported by and gains strength from his partner of 24 years Nancy and their two adult children, Tyson and Tara. Traditional teachings have guided A-in-chut to serve First Nations as a leader, facilitator, mediator, planner and teacher.
Tim Koepke
Tim Koepke is a professional engineer and Canada and British Columbia land surveyor who became a consultant to the federal government Yukon land claim negotiating team in 1987 after twenty-four years association with the Underhill Group of companies, the last eighteen of which were spent as a senior partner.
His consulting activities included land and resource development projects in British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. He has lived in Whitehorse for forty years, during which time he has served on the boards of Crown corporations, numerous professional associations and service organizations.
Mr. Koepke is under contract to the Government of Canada as a Chief Federal Negotiator. Since appointment in 1987, he has been involved with negotiations for the eleven completed Yukon Land Claim settlements as well as trans boundary files in northern BC for the Federal Treaty Negotiation Office in Vancouver. He also represented Canada in negotiations between governments, First Nations and Athabasca oil sands producers in an attempt to reach agreement on long term benefits. He was the Chief Federal Negotiator for the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty settlement in the Vancouver area that came into effect in April, 2009.
Following the completion of the Tsawwassen treaty he was assigned the 'Namgis First Nation file in the Alert Bay area of northern Vancouver Island. He also continues some specialized engineering and geomatics consulting work..
Doug McArthur
Doug Mc Arthur is Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver British Columbia. Prior to joining the School, he was Senior Fellow in Public Policy at the University of British Columbia. He teaches and writes on public policy theory and process, forest and resources policy, negotiations, aboriginal policy and governance and development in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is engaged in an active research program encompassing these fields, and has presented and published a number of papers related to them. You can read his regular essays on public policy and political issues at www.policycentre.ca.
For many years Doug was a senior public servant in the British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon Governments. At various times he was Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary in B.C., Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in B.C, Chief Land Claims Negotiator in the Yukon, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Minister of Northern Saskatchewan in Saskatchewan. He was Minister of Education in Saskatchewan from 1978 to 1982 and Chair of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Education. He worked as a negotiator for the Tsawwassen First Nation on treaty negotiations, was team leader on the drafting of twenty-three Bills passed into law on their effective date of self government, April 3, 2009, and continues to advise them on development issues.
He attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal, the University of Chicago where he was a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow in Rural Development, the University of Toronto, and Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould (Puglaas)View Presentation
Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, which are part of the Kwakwaka'wakw, also known as the Kwak'wala speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation and lives with her husband, Tim Raybould, at Cape Mudge Village, Quadra Island.
Background & Experience:
Bachelor of Arts: Major in History & Political Science Law degree from the University of British Columbia.
Active member of the BC Bar Association since 2000.
Provincial Crown prosecutor in Vancouver's downtown eastside until 2003.
From 2003 to 2009, an elected Commissioner to the B.C. Treaty Commission.
Elected Regional Chief for B.C. on October 1, 2009.
Elected Councilor for the We Wai Kai Nation.
Council Committee Responsibilities:
Governance (including Community and Land Use Planning and Land Code and Constitution development)
Housing, Education and Health
Board Member on the Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women
(Co-Chair, “Combining Our Strength”– a partnership between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Women)
Board Member on the Lands Advisory Board, Advisor for the
Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre.
International Missions:
Traveled to the Philippines, Taiwan and Israel to work on Indigenous
Peoples' rights and leadership.
Regional Chief Angus ToulouseView Presentation
Born and raised on the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation in Northeastern Ontario.
Educational achievements:
Graduated from Espanola High School; Attended Algonquin College in Ottawa in Business Administration; and, Completion of the level one certificate in Public Administration and Governance at Ryerson University.
Employment:
Federal public service from 1980 to 1984; Sagamok Anishnawbek, Band Administrator from 1984 to 1988; and, Executive Director, North Shore Tribal Council from 1988 to 1994.
Political Life:
Elected member of Sagamok Anishnawbek Council from 1988 to 1994; Elected Chief of Sagamok Anishnawbek for six consecutive terms from 1994 to 2005; Elected Chairman of the North Shore Tribal Council from 2003 to 2005; and, Elected Robinson Huron Grand Chief from 2003 to 2005.
Presently:
Through a traditional leadership selection process, Mr. Toulouse was selected as Ontario Regional Chief in June 2005 to serve until June 2009. Through the same traditional leadership selection process, Mr. Toulouse was re-elected for a three-year term as Ontario Regional Chief in June 2009.
Mr. Toulouse also serves as a member of the Assembly of First Nations
National Executive.
Hon. Tom Siddon View Presentation
Tom Siddon was born in Drumheller, Alberta. He graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta in 1963, winning the Gold Medal in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to earn a Masters and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Dr. Siddon’s career-long focus has been the interplay between emerging environmental challenges, science-based solutions, and overcoming the political obstacles to change. After a ten year academic career at the University of British Columbia, Mr. Siddon was elected to the Parliament of Canada where he served as MP and in Cabinet as Minister of Science and Technology, Fisheries and Oceans, Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and National Defence.
As Science Minister, Tom Siddon guided Canada’s role in international science and the space program. As Fisheries Minister, he instituted a major toughening of Canada’s Fisheries Act and introduced the world’s first policy on sustainable management of fish habitat. He initiated aggressive programs to protect Canadian fish stocks from international exploitation and industrial pollution.
As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Tom Siddon concluded the historic Nunavut agreement, the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement, the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement, and he was a prime mover in setting up the BC Treaty Process. As Defence Minister, Siddon was directly responsible for defence policy, procurement, and peacekeeping.
As a member of the Cabinet Committee on the Environment, Dr. Siddon contributed to the first National “Green Plan,” and to the development of new environmental legislation (the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act), the regulation of toxic substances, and the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy.
Following his political career, Dr. Siddon has remained active as a consultant, lecturer and corporate board member. He speaks frequently on the political challenges of combating global climate change and the long range implications for water supply management.
In recognition of his distinguished achievements, Tom Siddon was awarded an Honourary Doctoral Degree from UBC Okanagan in 2007. For his work as Chair of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council, Siddon was honoured with the Okanagan Water Leadership Award in 2009.
Chief Kim Baird View Presentation
Chief Kim Baird’s ancestral name is Kwuntiltunaat. The name is based on her great-great grandfather’s name Kwuntilum.
Chief Baird is the elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation, a position she has held for six terms, since 1999. Her focus as Chief is to move TFN forward as a model sustainable First Nations community since having the honour of implementing British Columbia’s first urban treaty on April 3, 2009. This was the culmination of a number of successes she has achieved in her career.
Chief Kim Baird was the first woman, who was not an MLA, in BC history to address the BC Legislature on October 15, 2007 when the British Columbia Treaty Legislation process was initiated.
Chief Baird has received a number of prestigious awards, including Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award, the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Distinction Award, Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 Award, and Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award.
Chief Baird is the first First Nation representative on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. She is also a member of the BC Hydro, First Nations Employment Society, the Vancouver Aboriginal Skills and Employment Program, Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation, UBC Vancouver President’s Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and the Joe Mathias Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors. Chief Baird’s most recent appointment is to the newly formed TFN Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
She is a proud mother of three young daughters, Amy (age five), Sophia (age two), and her newest addition to the family Naomi (age eleven months), with her husband Steeve.
Satsan Herb George
Satsan is a Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief of the Frog Clan. He has been a long-time Speaker for the Wet’suwet’en Nation and previously served as Speaker for both the Gitxsan and the Wet’suwet’en Nations. He was also Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, and taught for several years in the University’s Administration of Aboriginal Governments Program.
Satsan has considerable experience with Aboriginal rights and title as well as Aboriginal self-government and education. He was a key figure and strategist in the Delgamuukw-Gisday Wa case, which was the subject of a successful judgement before the Supreme Court of Canada in December 1997. Satsan has offered advice and assistance to First Nations across British Columbia and Canada on the affirmation and recognition of Aboriginal rights, title and Treaty rights. He most recently served two – three year terms as the elected BC Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. As a member of the AFN National Executive, he had the responsibility for Delgamuukw and headed up the Delgamuukw/Gisday’wa National Process, an extensive community-based process of research, public education and organizing. He also held the Executive Portfolio for Fiscal Relations.
Satsan is the President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, a First Nations controlled initiative designed to help First Nations achieve their inherent right to self-government. Satsan is trained in law and education. He attended Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. He is married and has three children.
Jaimie Lickers
Jaimie Lickers is an associate in Gowlings' Ottawa office. A member of the advocacy department, her practice focuses primarily in the area of aboriginal law.
Jaimie has experience dealing with Aboriginal land claim negotiations and litigation. She worked on the Ipperwash Inquiry as a researcher and liaison and has experience dealing with Aboriginal individuals and organizations. Jaimie also has oral advocacy experience and has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Prior to entering the practice of law, Jaimie worked for the Chiefs of Ontario and the Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium.
Cindy Dickson
Cindy Dickson is of Gwitch'in and Tlingit descent and is a member of the Vuntut Gwitch'in First Nation. She was raised by her grandfather Lazarus Charlie and grew up in Old Crow, Yukon, Canada. Cindy has worked for the Council of Yukon First Nations since 1996 and is the director of Circumpolar Relations and the founding director of the Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC). The Council of Yukon First Nations is the central political organization for First Nation peoples of the Yukon. It has been in existence since 1973 and continues to serve the needs of First Nations within the Yukon and most recently the Mackenzie delta. AAC is an international Indigenous organization that focuses on environmental issues that may affect the health and well being of Athabaskan peoples in the arctic and sub-arctic regions of North America.
Cindy was instrumental in assisting Yukon First Nations communities develop a Traditional Knowledge Guideline for the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP). This guideline was prepared for scientists working in the Canadian North and can be viewed on-line at www.contaminants.ca Cindy was also a member of a coalition of northern Indigenous peoples that persuaded countries to conclude a global agreement to ban persistent organic pollutants (POPS) such as DDT and PCBs that contaminate traditionally harvested foods.
Currently Ms. Dickson’s work centers on climate change vulnerabilities, adaptation, traditional knowledge and food security issues in the north. Cindy participated in the development of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), a four -year comprehensive analysis of the impacts and consequences of climate variability and changes across the Arctic region. During the assessment period, Cindy established the Elder Panel on Climate Change. The Elders Panel was tasked to contribute their knowledge of climate change observations.
Cindy also established the Indigenous Issues Committee (IIC) for the University of the Arctic. The IIC provides a mechanism for northern Indigenous peoples and organizations to participate at Arctic council meetings. Cindy participated as part of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) Advisory Committee on Climate Change Adaptation Policy.
Cindy has been involved with the International Polar Year (IPY), as part of the Canadian Committee on IPY; Currently Ms. Dickson is the lead for the Canadian pan-northern IPY research on Arctic Peoples, Culture, Resilience and Caribou. This project will investigate the processes that shape the resilience and adaptive capacity of three northern communities. As well, Cindy has also participated as part of the High Arctic Research Station Experts and Users Group.
Dr. Terry Fenge
Based in Ottawa, Dr. Terry Fenge is the Principal of Terry Fenge Consulting Incorporated specializing in aboriginal rights and interests, environmental affairs, and national international public policy in the circumpolar Arctic and beyond.
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Dr. Fenge earned a Bachelor’s degree in physical geography at the University of Wales, a Master’s degree in applied geography at the University of Victoria and a doctorate in regional planning and resource development at the University of Waterloo.
Following two years teaching at Brock University, Dr Fenge took the position of Director of Research and later Executive Director at the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee (CARC). From 1985 to 1993 he was Director of Research and Senior Negotiator for the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN), the Inuit organization that negotiated the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
From 1996 to date he has worked on contaminants, climate change, bio diversity conservation and intergovernmental issues. He was Strategic Counsel to the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) from 1996 to 2006 and is currently the Senior Policy Advisor to the Arctic Athabaskan Council. Since 2000 he has also worked with the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) to implement the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. In addition he has worked with the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) the Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT), and the Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU).
Dr Fenge is the author, co-author or editor of six books and monographs, and more than sixty published papers. His most recent book: Northern Lights Against POPs: Combating Toxic Threats in the Arctic, co-edited with David Downie of Columbia University, was published in 2003 by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Norma Kassi
Norma was raised and educated in Old Crow, Yukon; she is Vuntut Gwitch'in (People of the Lakes) and a member of the Wolf Clan. It was in Old Crow flats where Norma gained her depth of traditional, scientific and ecological knowledge. Her grandfather, mother and the land were the bearers of this invaluable, ancient knowledge, which was passed on to Norma at a very young age. This knowledge has woven her into the land of the Vuntut Gwitch’in and has given her an understanding of her homelands and the beings in which the land is shared.
Encouraged by her Elders, Norma entered politics shortly after leaving school. In 1985, Norma was elected into Yukon’s Legislative Assembly as Member for Vuntut Gwitch’in, a position she held until 1992. During this time, Norma was selected by the Elders of the Gwitch’in Nation to act as a spokesperson on behalf of the Gwitch’in people for the preservation of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. This Caribou Herd is the lifeblood of her people, and were (and still are) at risk due to proposed oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
As a spokesperson, Norma traveled extensively throughout the world educating many people about the critical and inseparable relationship of the Gwitch’in people and the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and the devastating effects of the proposed industrial development. Her audiences have included grassroots Americans, United States Congressional members and Senators, World leaders, Aboriginal communities through out the Arctic and across North America, as well as appearances on Canadian, American and British network television. Stemming from this work, Norma had the opportunity to produce, direct and narrate three documentary films. Today Norma still finds herself educating people about the critical and inseparable relationship between the Gwitch’in and the land.
In 1991 Norma was awarded the National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation and Achievement Award, and the Goldman Prize in 2002, one of the world’s highest profile awards for Conservation. In 2004, Norma was chosen by the Governor General of Canada the Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson to travel with a National delegation of dignitaries on a speaking tour through out Russia.
Premier Dennis Fentie
Dennis Fentie was first elected to represent Watson Lake in the Yukon Legislative Assembly during the general election of September 30, 1996. He was re-elected in the general elections of April 17, 2000, November 4, 2002 and October 10, 2006. Dennis Fentie has served as Yukon’s Premier since 2002.
During his time in the Yukon legislature, he served as a member of the Standing Committee on Rules, Elections and Privileges, as Government House Leader and Official Opposition house leader. He also headed a Cabinet Commission on Forestry during the sitting of the 29th legislative assembly.
In addition to his political career, Premier Fentie has a business background in logging, tourism, mining, trucking and fuel distribution.
Premier Fentie was born in Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Watson Lake at the age of twelve. He was an active participant in baseball and senior hockey, and a former minor hockey coach. He also maintains a keen interest in history and current affairs.
Under Premier Fentie’s leadership, three Yukon First Nations had Final and Self-Government Agreements that came into effect: the Kluane First Nation, the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.
Since 2002, government to government relationships resulted in the following:
- Establishing the Yukon Forum, involving First Nations and the Yukon government;
- Re-establishing the Intergovernmental Forum to build strong relationships between the governments of Canada and Yukon, and the fourteen Yukon First Nations;
- Reviewing and allocating federal funds through the Yukon Forum such as the Northern Housing Trust fund, the Northern Strategy fund, as well as Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED);
- Supporting Yukon First Nations in negotiations with the Government of Canada for new Financial Transfer Agreements;
- Contributing to the construction of cultural centers in Whitehorse and Haines Junction;
- Establishing a Governance Liaison and Capacity Development branch to partner with First Nations and the Government of Canada on governance and capacity initiatives; and Entering into Intergovernmental Relations Accords, where Yukon and individual First Nation governments identify and agree upon common priorities.
Premier Fentie lives in Watson Lake with his partner Lorraine Nixon. He enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Dr. Xavier Albo
Dr. Albo is a anthropologist, linguist and expert on indigenous governance in the Andes. The Jesuit scholar was born in Spain in 1934, immigrated to Bolivia in 1952 where he has resided for over 50 years. He received his Bachelor of Theology (Chicago), and PhD's in anthropology and linguistics (Cornell) and philosophy (Quito). In 1971 he founded the Centro de Investigación y Promoción del Campesinado/Centre for the Investigation and Promotion of the Campesino (CIPCA), which since 1978 has been principally engaged in researching and advocating for Bolivia's cultural, social and linguistic diversity. More recently, CIPCA has been a leader in promoting Indigenous Autonomy in Bolivia, a process similar to Self-Government in Canada.
Currently, Dr. Albo is a consultant for the Bolivian Ministry of Autonomy and has in the past advised the Governments of Denmark, Germany and Sweden, UNICEF, World Bank, PNUD, the Bishops Conference, several Peasant and Indigenous Unions, Human Rights organizations and NGO’s.
A prolific author, many of Dr. Albo's most thirty books and two hundred and eighty academic papers focus on Plurinationalism, Bolivia's new constitution and indigenous power in the Andes.
Brian McGuigan
Brian attended was called to the Bar in 1990 and has over nineteen years of experience specializing in Aboriginal and treaty rights with extensive experience in negotiations.
Brian has been involved in treaty and self-government negotiations since 1991. He concluded several agreements in the Yukon as Chief Federal Negotiator including a Treaty and Self-Government Agreement with the Kwanlin Dün First Nation (the first in Canada in an urban setting) and six other self-government agreements.
Brian was the lead federal negotiator in the Atlantic Canadian fishery following the Supreme Court of Canada decisions in Marshall negotiating agreements to facilitate First Nation participation in the commercial fishery.
Brian led the development of the Government of Alberta First Nations consultation policy acting as the key point of contact for both industry and First Nations.
Brian is currently involved in self-government negotiations, the negotiation and drafting of benefits agreements related to significant oil sands projects, and provides advice on consultation matters.
Larry Bagnell - MP, Yukon
Through his work as Executive Director of the Association of Yukon Communities, Larry Bagnell became well known throughout the Yukon Territory for being a tireless worker and a reliable advocate.
A graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor Degree in Arts and another in Science, his lifelong dedication to community service was recognized in 1999 with the City of Whitehorse’s Volunteer of the Year Award. This award recognized his work as President of the Yukon Chapter of the United Way, President of Yukon Learn, President of Skookum Jim Friendship Center, and as a Board Member of the Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society, the Yukon Science Institute, and the Commissioner’s Potlatch. Other organizations benefiting from Mr. Bagnell’s involvement include the Canadian Cancer Society, the Anti-Poverty Coalition, the Yukon Arts Center, the Heart and Stroke Fund, and the Association Franco-Yukonnaise.
Larry had a lengthy career in the federal government, which culminated in his appointment as the Director for the Yukon of Industry Canada. During this time, he managed programs in economic development, science and technology, tourism, small business, industrial development, and international trade, and led a number of trade missions. His legislated skills were well utilized when Mr. Bagnell played a key role in the creation of the Yukon’s new Municipal Act.
Larry was first elected on November 27, 2000, following a narrow victory of only 70 votes. On December 12, 2003 the Prime Minister appointed The Honourable Larry Bagnell to the Queen’s Privy Council as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, with a special emphasis on Northern Economic Development. Nearly six months later, The Right Honourable Paul Martin met the Governor General and asked her to dissolve the Parliament. As a result, Larry had to face the people's judgment on the work he had done for Yukonners. The response was unequivocal - he was re-elected by a margin of 2511 votes. On July 19th, the Prime Minister re-appointed the Honourable Larry Bagnell as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.
Larry has been a member of many Parliamentary Committees including Transport, Defence, Industry, Veterans Affairs, Justice & Human Rights, and Aboriginal Affairs. He served as Chair of Rural Caucus and the Caucus Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and International Cooperation. He has led the Canadian delegation to The Asia Development Bank Board meeting (representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs) and has visited our troops in Afghanistan.
In December 2006, with the support of Canadian Friends of Burma, Larry formed the long-awaited Parliamentary Friends of Burma friendship group. “This long-anticipated Parliamentary group was created to encourage dialogue and raise national as well as international awareness, for the people of Burma and their long struggle for democracy,” said Mr.Bagnell, who was elected as Chair of PFOB. “I am extremely proud to have nearly forty Members and Senators from all parties, join the group, with more still signing on!”
The last campaign in the Fall of 2008, proved to be one of the toughest for the Liberal Party. However, Larry was re-elected, taking over 45% of the vote and continues his role as the Official Opposition Critic for Arctic Issues and Northern Development. He is very proud of his achievements for the North and continues to work as hard as he is so well known for. His toughest role recently began however, with the birth of his first child Aurora Sage, in October 2008!
Tony Penikett
Tony Penikett has had a long career in politics, negotiation, and mediation. He spent seventeen years in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. From 1985 to 1992, he served as Premier of Canada’s Yukon Territory, during which time his government negotiated and signed an umbrella final agreement for First Nation land claims in the territory.
He has also served as a Senior Policy Advisor in Saskatchewan and as Deputy Minister of Negotiations and, later, Labour for British Columbia. In 2006, he published Reconciliation: First Nations Treaty Making in British Columbia, a book Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine called “an important and much-needed book.”
He is currently a Vancouver-based mediator, and teaches in Simon Fraser University’s Master of Public Policy program. His recent work has taken him to the Eastern Arctic, Northern Europe, the Middle East and South America.
Dennis Brunner
Dennis is a long-time public servant with over thirty-five years of experience with a majority of this time spent in the field of acquisitions as a contracting officer, trainer and manager. Dennis is currently a Senior Advisor at INAC and is responsible for the development and launch of CLCA.NET. Dennis's accomplishments in the field of acquisition include, Green Procurement and the development of the Aboriginal Considerations in Procurement (ACP) course which was recognized by the Canadian Institute for Procurement and Materiel Management in the area of innovation.
In the last fourteen months, Dennis has trained over 1,000 federal government employees on contracting obligations in the various Comprehensive Land claim Agreements.
Dolores CoelhoView Presentation
Dolores joined Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in 1999 after a career of fifteen years with one of Canada’s largest Financial Investment companies in which she held a position of Regional Coordinator for the Administration unit dealing with clients, administrative staff and management. Since Sept 2000, Dolores has been a Program Officer in the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal (PSAB) unit. Her experience has brought a great deal of knowledge and dealings with both the Procurement Community and Aboriginal Businesses. Her responsibilities include Advocacy on behalf of the Aboriginal Businesses and she has continually provided guidance on any procurement needs that fall within applying the PSAB strategy and how it may apply to your procurement process when dealing with Aboriginal Communities and or Aboriginal Businesses.
Her focus at present is ensuring that the procurement community is given the knowledge and opportunity to understanding and applying both the PSAB and CLCA considerations.
Barry Stuart View Presentation
For the past forty years, Barry's work has focused on developing constructive ways to engage the energy in conflict to generate sustainable outcomes and effective relationships. This work has involved him in designing decision-making processes and in resolving conflict as a Judge, trainer, professor, mediator, negotiator and consultant.
Barry's principal interest and work lies in creating safe places for people to engage in the difficult dialogues needed to move through seemingly intractable differences. This summary reflects the broad range of complex multi-party conflicts and organizational challenges his work has involved.
Teaching and Training
He was a law professor [Osgoode and Dalhousie] and has taught at several Universities. He has led numerous courses on negotiation and consensus building in many different settings all over the world. He has led organizational change initiatives designed for building partnerships, managing relationships, strategic planning, resolving conflicts within and between organizations, and dealing with the challenges of designing processes for effective dialogues. Others have replicated his innovative work in organizational change in Canadian and US institutions.
Public Policy
He founded and served as the first President of the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Canadian Environmental Law Research Foundation. In 1970 he served as a founding executive council member of the Canadian Round Table on the Economy and Environment. As Committee Chair of Sustainability and Consensus Initiative, he was instrumental in achieving a national accord, accepted by all Canadian jurisdictions, on principles and processes for Sustainability. Barry has served on the executive of several national organizations addressing a wide spectrum of public issues.
Community Development
He has worked in communities in several countries to develop restorative justice processes as an integral part of enhancing community well being and sustainability. He initiated the concept of Peacemaking Circles now used in many different countries for criminal, child protection, civil, and a wide range of corporate and multi party public matters, For this work, Barry received the Canadian Governor General Medal.
Governance and Constitutional Issues
Barry has worked extensively on matters related to constitutional issues and governance. He was Yukon counsel in the Constitutional First Ministers Conferences. Barry was a member of the Group of 22, a small group including former Premiers, Federal Cabinet Ministers and CEO's of major Canadian companies that produced a widely supported innovative approach to constitutional change. He played a lead role in the development and implementation of the Papua New Guinea constitution and related arrangements that led up to independence. For this work he received the Independence Medal of Papua New Guinea in 1975 and the Independence Celebration Medal in 2000. He pioneered new developments in the establishment and operation of First Nation governing structures and laws. As Chief Negotiator for the Yukon Land Claims, he negotiated the Umbrella Land Claims Agreement that enabled eleven First Nations to conclude their Self-Government and Land Claims Agreements. He developed a new approach to legislation that incorporates community based collaborative approaches based on shared values to families and children at risk in ways
International Experience
He has extensive international experience in dealing with issues of governance and conflict [Indonesia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Ireland, United States, Papua New Guinea, North Vietnam and, the Ukraine] SUMMARY …He is currently a partner in CSE, an organization involved in building new relationships, processes, and outcomes in many major multi party public issues locally, nationally and internationally.
Catherine ConstableView Presentation
Catherine Constable recently retired from the Government of Yukon, where she was Director of Land Claims and Self-Government Implementation from 1992 onwards. She has participated in the emergence of new intergovernmental relationships arising from the Yukon First Nation Final and Self-Government Agreements in a number of ways. She negotiated the implementation plans for several of the Final Agreements and participated in other negotiations related to the systematic implementation of self-government, including those for the assumption of responsibility by Yukon First Nations for program and service delivery, tax-room sharing, and renewal of Canada/Yukon First Nation Financial Transfer Agreements. She also led the Yukon government’s participation in the tripartite review of implementation of the Agreements, which reported to the Parties in 2007. As part of the Yukon government’s contingent supporting the Premier, she has attended meetings of the bipartite Yukon Forum and tripartite Intergovernmental Forum.
Catherine’s interest in public policy and societal evolution arose from her childhood in Montréal, where she witnessed the FLQ crisis and the emergence of Québécois nationalism. She envisions a more constructive process as modern-day aboriginal self-government comes to occupy its place within the Canadian context. She continues to work in the realm of public policy and aboriginal land claims as a consultant, based in New Brunswick but with enduring ties to Yukon.
Catherine graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geography from McGill University in 1972 and with a post-graduate diploma in journalism from Sheridan College in 1982.
Daryn Leas
Daryn is a lawyer who focuses his practice in the areas of constitutional, environmental and administrative law with a specialization in First Nation issues. Daryn has been a sole-practitioner since 1996 and joined Boughton Law Corporation, a full-service law firm located in Vancouver, in 2004. At present, he is the co-chair of the Aboriginal Focus Group of Boughton Law Corporation.
He has been legal counsel in the negotiation and implementation of several First Nation land claim and self-government agreements in the Yukon. In addition, he has been involved in the settlement of specific claims, the development of community constitutions and the negotiation of resource transfer agreements. He has represented First Nations in the negotiation of impact benefit agreements and cooperation agreements relating to mining and pipeline matters.
Daryn has also represented First Nations during their treaty negotiations in the British Columbia Treaty Process and represented Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories with respect to constitutional development and land claim matters.
Daryn has been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 1994 and became a member of the Law Society of Yukon in 1995. After completing a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) at the University of British Columbia, he graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto in 1993. He articled with the Department of Justice in Whitehorse, Yukon, and clerked with the Supreme Court of the Yukon.
He has instructed political science and aboriginal law courses at Yukon College in Whitehorse, Yukon. Daryn is a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in which is located in the central Yukon.
Lesley McCullough - ADM
Lesley McCullough has worked in the private sector as a lawyer, focusing upon criminal and labour litigation, as Executive Assistant to a former Yukon premier and in the Yukon Government public service. She was Yukon’s lead counsel in the negotiation of the Umbrella Final Agreement and on several of the Yukon First Nation Final and Self-Government Agreements. She has also been the Director of Mandate and Policy with the Yukon Land Claim and Implementation Secretariat and the Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Yukon Government. Since 2008 Lesley has been an Assistant Deputy Minister with the Yukon Department of Justice. She has extensive legal and policy experience in the areas of governance and aboriginal rights.
Lesley is a graduate of F.H.Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse Yukon, and has a BA (Hons.) from the University of Alberta and an LL.B. from Queen’s University .
Joseph Ohokannoak
Joseph Ohokannoak was born and raised in Cambridge Bay. He attended Residential Schools in Inuvik & Yellowknife.
• Worked for Gov’t of NWT, Economic Development & Tourism 1977-1996
• Elected Mayor of Cambridge Bay 1984-86
• Appointed to Nunavut Implementation Commission 1996-1999
• Chairman of the Board of Governors, Nunavut Arctic College 1996-2001
• Member of the Nunavut Water Board 1999-2001
• Executive Assistant to 1st Vice President of NTI to present
Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell is Senior Planning and Policy Advisor to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. He has previously worked for the Government of the NWT, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Assembly of First Nations. He has studied Anthropology, History and Political Science in New Zealand, Canada and Italy.
Dr. Tim RaybouldView Presentation
Dr. Tim Raybould was educated at the University of Cambridge, receiving his PhD in 1993. His research centered on aboriginal land rights and self-government. As an undergraduate Tim became interested in aboriginal issues through his work with Survival International, a London-based charity supporting the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide.
After completing his PhD, Tim was appointed the Chief Negotiator for the Westbank First Nation in Kelowna BC on the bilateral Westbank First Nation Self-Government Agreement. The Self-government agreement was concluded between Canada and Westbank on October 3rd 2003 and brought into law by the Westbank First Nation Self-government Act passed on May 6th 2004 which came into force on April 1st 2005. The Westbank Agreement is the first stand-alone self-government agreement under Canada’s inherent right of self-government policy. Tim continues to work with Westbank on implementation issues, including the development of the numerous laws and agreements contemplated under the self-government package. Tim is currently the Chief Negotiator for Westbank First Nation for Treaty negotiations being concluded under the auspices of BCTC process.
Tim has been involved in the successful additions of land to reserve as well as establishing property tax systems on reserves under section 83 of the Indian Act. He has represented First Nation employers in labour negotiations and advises on labour matters concerning First Nations.
Tim currently advises the First Nations Finance Authority and was directly involved in the development of Bill C-20, The First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act. The Act established four national First Nation Institutions that will provide services to First Nations’ government collecting property tax on their lands. Over the years Tim has provided advice to many First Nation communities and organizations including the Indian Taxation Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Board and the National Centre for First Nations Governance.
Erica Rosenthal
Erika Rosenthal is an attorney with Earthjustice's International Program. She has been a lead representative for the organization in international negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change talks, and on issues relating to short-lived climate forcers such as black carbon at the United Nations Environment Program, the Arctic Council and other international bodies. Erika has worked in litigation, capacity development, and law-reform in Russia and Latin America, and on issues related to environment, international trade and international chemicals agreements.
Karyn Armour - ADM
Karyn Armour has been a negotiator with the Yukon Government since 1988. Karyn was a member of the Yukon negotiating team during the AIP and UFA. She was the Associate Chief Negotiator for the first 7 Final and Self-Government Agreements, and in 2000 became Assistant Deputy Minister/Chief Negotiator overseeing the completion of the last 4 Final and SG Agreements. The Land Claims and Implementation Secretariat leads the Yukon Government's implementation of the Agreements and is also responsible for First Nation Relations.
Grand Chief: Ruth MassieView Presentation
Ruth Massie is a Wolf Clan member of the Jenny LeBarge family from Winter Crossing, Yukon Territory. Her Indian name is Mongllut. Ms Massie was born and raised in Whitehorse. Her education background is in commerce courses, economic development and hairstyling. in Vancouver. She is married to Lyle Massie. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
Ms Massie is one of the founding members of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council when her people, in 1987, re-established their First Nation by separating from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and preparing to negotiate their land claim and self-government agreements. She was a Director on the Board of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council from 1989 to 1992. As an experienced business woman, Ruth switched careers and worked her way up from trainee to General Manager of the Mundessa Development Corporation (the economic development arm of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council), a position she held until 2004.
Ruth was voted into office as Chief in the first election of her First Nation in April 2004. She was again voted into office as Chief of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in a second election in November 2006. Ms Massie was also appointed Southern Tutchone Tribal Council Chief from 2005 to 2007. Ruth was appointed as the Interim Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations in March 2010 and was successfully elected as the Grand Chief in July 2010 for a three year term.
James Eetoolook
James Eetoolook has been a leader all his adult life, both at the community and regional levels. His commitment to traditional outdoor pursuits is always present.
Mr. Eetoolook was born in Fort Ross in his family’s traditional hunting and trapping area. He went to school first in Spence Bay (now Taloyoak), then in Inuvik. He began his working career with the Hudson’s Bay Company as a clerk. He later became manager of a Co-op Store.
From 1975 to 1989, Mr. Eetoolook worked for Spence Bay as the community’s Settlement Secretary and then as the Senior Administrative Officer for the newly-created hamlet. His exceptional service was recognized by the Nunavut Association of Municipalities with a special award, named the Eetoolook Award, which is presented annually to the top Senior Administrative Officer.
Mr. Eetoolook was elected President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in 1989. He became President of the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN), in 1993 and signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) in the same year.
In 1993, after the NLCA was signed, James was elected the 1st Vice-President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Mr. Eetoolook is married, with four children and eight grandchildren. His personal interests include hunting, fishing and camping.