We are grateful to the many speakers who have agreed to participate and share their knowledge and experience at the 2nd Annual National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association Conference.

They include:

Ian Anderson, President, Kinder Morgan Canada

Ian Anderson has been President of Kinder Morgan Canada since December 2005. Mr. Anderson is responsible for providing executive leadership to Kinder Morgan’s operations, growth pursuits and corporate responsibility in Canada. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Anderson held various senior executive positions in Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Administration, and Business Development at predecessor companies – Terasen, Centra Gas and Westcoast Energy. He has been involved in the shaping of Canadian Utility and Pipeline regulatory policy for decades, and he has also been an active advocate for meaningful and productive engagement between the energy industry and Aboriginal peoples’ in Canada. Mr. Anderson, a Certified Management Accountant and University of Michigan Executive program graduate, is Chair of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) and previously served as a member of the Canadian Gas Association. He was appointed to the 2008 Federal/Provincial Eco Energy task force studying the potential for Carbon Capture and Storage in Canada.

Vern Bachiu, Westcap Management Ltd.

Vern Bachiu is a member of Westcap’s Business Ready Investment Development Gateway (BRIDG) program. BRIDG has been established to assist First Nations and Métis communities to establish development corporations with the goal of creating community wealth. BRIDG helps communities establish good governance in these corporations and helps equip them with the business infrastructure and capacity with which to undertake business developments and investment. Mr. Bachiu has over 30 years of experience working with First Nations – 20 years with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) and 10 years with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. While with MLTC, he was a senior member of the team that established successful business investments in forestry, aviation, hospitality, and other sectors. Mr. Bachiu has been a director of West Wind Aviation, MLTC Northern Trucking, Polar Oil, Meadow Lake OSB, and MLTC-Ceres Fertilizer. He subscribes to the nation building approach identified by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development as an appropriate approach to First Nations and Métis communities developing good governance. He has a Master of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

John Kim Bell, Brookfield Renewable Power Inc.

John Kim Bell is an internationally recognized cultural figure, philanthropist and energy executive. Mr. Bell is the owner and operator of a First Nations consulting firm, Bell & Bernard Limited that focuses on the development of partnerships between First Nations and resource developers. In the role of consultant, Mr. Bell is leading the Aboriginal Affairs effort at Brookfield Renewable Energy and working with Enbridge Pipelines Inc. as well as First Nations in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. He is also a founder of Eeyou Power Management Inc., a Cree owned energy company in James Bay, Quebec and is the key liaison between Eeyou Power and Quebec in negotiations for power projects. He was instrumental in the development of the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program in Ontario in 2010 which has an allowance of $250 million to support Aboriginal participation in new renewable green energy infrastructure such as wind, solar and hydroelectric.

John Carlson, Associate Vice President Energy, SAIT Polytechnic

John Carlson holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary and spent 30 years in various operational, management and executive positions in the oil and gas industry, both in Canada and the U.S. He also spent 15 years teaching industry courses in Canada, the U.S., China, South Africa and England during his career outside of SAIT. Mr. Carlson joined SAIT in late 2008 as an Academic Chair for a number of programs in the MacPhail School of Energy. In October 2010 he was promoted to the Associate Vice President position and is responsible for managing SAIT’s business related to the delivery of training internationally and domestically. Mr. Carlso is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta.

Dave Collyer, President, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

David Collyer was appointed President of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) on September 15th, 2008, after serving as President and Country Chair for Shell in Canada. In his current position, Mr. Collyer is responsible for leading CAPP’s activities in education, communications and policy / regulatory advocacy on behalf of its members representing over 90% of the upstream petroleum production in Canada. During his 30 year career tenure with Shell, Mr. Collyer held a broad range of technical, business and senior leadership roles. These included positions in conventional oil and gas, oil sands, marketing and transportation and downstream commercial marketing, as well as cross-business roles such as strategy and planning, communications and sustainable development. He also participated in a two year Executive Exchange assignment with the federal government in Ottawa. Mr. Collyer holds a petroleum engineering degree and an MBA from the University of Alberta, and belongs to a range of professional affiliations including the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) as well as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He has also been a member of a number of not-for-profit boards.

Bruce Cullen, Pulse Energy Inc.

Bruce Cullen is Manager of Pulse Energy’s Remote Communities projects. He is an expert in the field of integrating Demand Side Management strategies and technologies to reduce power consumption and demand in Off-Grid communities. Mr. Cullen led his team to the development and deployment of Canada’s first Micro Smart Grid in the remote First Nations community of Hartley Bay, BC. Prior to joining Pulse, he led and co-founded Cullen Energy; which delivered Canada’s largest residential energy efficiency retrofit program. Mr. Cullen is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Pierre Guimond, President, Canadian Electricity Association

Prior to joining Canadian Electricity Association in 2008, Mr. Guimond served as Director, Federal Government Liaison for Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG). Since 2003, he was seconded to the Canadian Nuclear Association where he coordinated regulatory activities and guided policy development initiatives aimed at improving the nuclear legislative and regulatory frameworks. He also served as spokesperson for the nuclear industry and contributed to building public acceptance for nuclear power’s re-emergence as a viable energy option in Canada. Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Guimond has worked in a wide range of government relations as well as political roles. From 1991 to 1999 he was the head of government relations at CEA, and prior to that managed Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada’s (now Industry Canada) Grants and Contributions Program where he implemented a regulatory program in the area of consumer protection. He has also served as Executive Assistant and political advisor to a number of federal cabinet ministers, and in 1979 was the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the late Honourable James Jerome. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, Mr. Guimond has lived in the National Capital Region for over thirty years. He holds an Honours B.A. in Political Science from Carleton University.

Brian Hjlesvold, RBC Capital Markets

Brian Hjlesvold is a career banker spending the last 27 1/2 years with RBC Royal Bank. He is of aboriginal descent (Ojibwa) tracing his roots to the Ebb & Flow First Nation in Manitoba. He has for the past 11 years, headed up the Aboriginal Financial Services group for RBC Royal Bank in Alberta, NWT, and Yukon. Mr. Hjlesvold is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc. an Aboriginal Capital Corp and Chair of the Métis Entrepreneurship Fund Inc., an Aboriginal Capital Corp.
He is the Aboriginal Co-Chair for the Child & Youth Services – Region 6 Board in Alberta. Mr. Hjlesvold is a Board Member of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association, Alberta District, and a member of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers and the Circle for Aboriginal Relations Society.

Bob Joseph, President, National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association

Bob Joseph is co-founder, and President and CEO, of the National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association. Mr. Joseph co-founded Indigenous Corporate Training Inc, a global training company committed to working collaboratively with regional, national and international clients to provide a broad range of performance improvement training services geared specifically to helping individuals and organizations to work effectively with Indigenous Peoples. He is a certified Master Trainer and associate professor in the Indigenous Corporate Relations Program at Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC. He has extensive experience in the resource sector with specific expertise in the hydro generation and transmission sector as a past senior staff member of BC Hydro. Mr. Joseph is the son of a hereditary Chief and member of the Gwa-wa-aineuk Nation located in coastal British Columbia.

Jane Kidd-Hantscher, Partnership Implementation Officer, Manitoba Hydro

Jane Kidd-Hantscher, is the Partnership Implementation Officer for the Power Supply Business Unit at Manitoba Hydro. In this capacity she is responsible for implementing the business partnerships between Manitoba Hydro and its Aboriginal partners in new hydro electric development projects. She has been involved in the negotiations of Project Development Agreements and leads the section that operationalizes all aspects of the partnership between Manitoba Hydro and NCN, the limited partners in the precedent-setting Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership. Ms. Kidd-Hantscher has worked in the energy industry for nearly twenty years and has a diverse background, having held positions in Operations, Corporate Planning and Human Resources. She has a Masters in Public Administration Degree and an undergraduate degree in Journalism.

Myke Clark, Finavera Energy Inc.

Myke Clark is Senior Vice President, Business Development, Finavera Wind Energy Inc., a publicly traded wind energy company that has four energy projects in BC. Mr. Clark has more than a decade of experience in various communications and is responsible for Environmental Assessment, First Nations consultation, investor relations, public relations and corporate development. Prior to joining Finavera in 2006, he spent almost a decade in journalism as a radio and television reporter with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and other news outlets. Mr. Clark is also responsible for new business development for Finavera Wind Energy.

Dwayne LaMontagne, Executive Vice President and Chief Development officer Savanna Energy Services Corporation

Dwayne LaMontagne is a graduate from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Administration in 1990 and earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1993. His experience includes assurance and business advisory role with Ernst and Young, management positions with both private and public oil and gas companies, and several years in senior management roles with Savanna. He is currently responsible for corporate finance initiatives along with financial due diligence and analysis of acquisition and merger opportunities and international business development. Mr. LaMontagne also holds primary responsibility for maintaining existing First Nation partnerships and developing new partnerships between Savanna and the First Nation and Métis communities.

Rachelle McDonald, Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada

Rachelle McDonald is the Executive Director, Aseniwuche Winewak Nation. She has worked for Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) for the past fourteen years. Under her administrative leadership, AWN has increased its range of services from one community coordinator to a staff of fourteen that manages housing, employment and training, consultation, and community services. Ms. McDonald has been instrumental in the development of two community owned businesses and providing administrative support to the AWN land claim. In 2006, she authored Living in Two Worlds: A Balanced Approach to Consultation, which is considered the gold standard for Aboriginal consultation practice and procedure in Alberta. She has augmented her work experience with directorship of the North Eastern Slopes Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Foothills Research Institute, Grande Cache Institution Community Advisory Committee, was elected to the Northlands School Division, and has served the community on numerous smaller boards and committees. In recognition of her community development efforts, Ms. McDonald was awarded an Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women Esquao Award in 2006.

Bernd Martens, Grand Cache Coal

Bernd Martens has worked for Grande Cache Coal Corporation (GCC) for the past eleven years. He is a Professional Biologist with responsibilities for long range approvals, environmental planning, and corporate-level liaison with government and aboriginal interests. Most recently, he was directly involved in negotiations between GCC with the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada (AWN) to achieve a Community and Impact Benefit Agreement that respects the aspirations of both organizations. Mr. Martens has managed environmental impact assessment studies with recognition of aboriginal community interests in the Grande Cache area. Most recently, through his leadership, GCC has embarked on a long term commitment to support Traditional Land Use studies within and beyond the company’s areas of interest and incorporate traditional interests into post-mining reclamation. Mr. Martens has worked primarily in the coal industry and consulting for over 35 years. He has served as co-chair on several joint industry-government consultations and working groups in the areas of reclamation and environmental policy.

Marcel Moody, Nisichawayashik Cree Nation

Marcel Moody, Councillor, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
Marcel Moody is an experienced and respected three-term Councillor for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. He was first elected to this position in 1990, and again in 2006, and 2010. His current portfolios for the First Nation include the Wuskwatim Project, Finance and Trusts and Economic Development. Prior to his election to Council, Mr. Moody was Co-Manager of the NCN Future Development Team. In this capacity he was responsible for managing all aspects of NCN’s participation in the partnership with Manitoba Hydro on the 200-megawatt Wuskwatim Generating Station. His involvement in this project has spanned nearly a decade. Mr. Moody has also served in several other public service roles for the First Nation including: Manager of NCN’s Trust Office, Chairperson of the Nelson House Education Authority and as School Board member. As a member of NCN’s Council from 1990 to 1996 he played a key role in the successful negotiation of the Northern Flood Agreement Implementation Agreement.

Fatima Oliveira, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Fatima Oliveira is a Program Officer with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) in the Aboriginal Procurement and Business Promotion Directorate at Headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec. She provides training to the public and private sector on the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business initiative and advises on applying the PSAB Strategy and how it may pertain to the procurement process when dealing with Aboriginal Communities and or Aboriginal businesses.

Mark Saar, RBC Capital Markets

Mark Saar is Managing Director, Head of North American Energy Project Finance, RBC Capital Markets. He has worked in several positions in corporate and project finance with RBC in Ontario and Alberta. In his current position as head of the Project Finance group he executes non-recourse and leveraged finance deals for energy sector clients across North America. Mr. Saar has substantial international deal experience in the power generation, LNG, midstream, gas storage, pipeline, refining and oil sands sectors. He also has had senior client coverage responsibilities for originating, arranging and closing structured debt financings. This includes leveraged buyouts for financial sponsors and acquisition financing for major energy corporations in the U.S. and Canada. His team has executed advisory and financing mandates in all debt markets including private placement, bank, public bond, term loan B and high yield markets. Prior to joining RBC, M. Saar worked in engineering and business development roles in the energy infrastructure industry focusing on new pipeline and power project initiatives. He holds an M.B.A. from Queen’s University, a B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and is a registered Professional Engineer. He is a member of the Board of Governors of Education Matters, a foundation supporting public education in Calgary.

Sandy Sanderson, PTI Group Inc.

Sandy Sanderson is the Director, Aboriginal Relations, PTI Group Inc, a remote workforce accommodation company with global operations throughout North America
and Australia. Thanks to his senior management experience in post-secondary education, PTI has successfully collaborated with various Aboriginal Nations, industry, and governments to target legacy initiatives aimed at building capacity in Aboriginal communities. Mr. Sanderson is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, as well as a board member of
the Aboriginal Human Resource Council and the Circle for Aboriginal Relations. He is continuing his journey of lifelong learning by pursuing a graduate degree in organizational leadership with Gonzaga University. Recently, PTI was awarded the 2011 Premier’s Award of Distinction by the Alberta Chamber of Commerce for its successes with Aboriginal initiatives. Coupled with this, Alberta Oil Magazine listed PTI as a top 25 company, based on their innovative and pioneering approach to working with Aboriginal Nations.

Judith Sayers, Island Corridor Foundation

Kekinusuqs, Dr. Judith Sayers was the elected Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation, located in Port Alberni, BC for 14 years and was also the Chief Negotiator for 15 years. As the senior elected official of her First Nation, she focused on capacity building, sustainable development and restoring and rehabilitating Hupacasath territory. As Chief of her Nation, Dr. Sayers was instrumental in the development of the China Creek Run of the River Project which operates in Hupacasath territory. For six years she was the President and Chair of Upnit Power Ltd which operates the China Creek project. Hupacasath is the majority owner in the China Creek project, a partnership that includes Ucluelet First Nation, the City of Port Alberni and Synex Energy. Dr. Sayers received a silver award from the Canadian Environmental Awards in the Climate Change category. Dr. Sayers is also an Entrepreneur in Residence to the Peter Gustavson School of Business as well as an Assistant Professor of Business and Law at the University of Victoria.

Tony Shirt, Peace Hills Trust

August (Tony) Shirt is Vice President Corporate Marketing & Business Development for Peace Hills Trust Company, which is the largest private trust company in Canada and is wholly owned by the Samson Cree Nation, Hobbema, Alberta. Mr. Shirt is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta and has been in the banking industry for over 24 years with over 19 years with Peace Hills Trust. He has managed three different regional offices for Peace Hills Trust and has worked throughout western Canada. His entire banking career has been working for First Nations financial institutions and providing financial services to primarily First Nation’s clients, both personal and commercial. Mr. Shirt is the Chairperson for his home community’s trust which owns the businesses and investments of his Nation for the benefit of its members.

 

 

 

 

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