Sex̱ómestel

Andrew Victor

Sex̱ómestel has served as a member of the Cheam First Nation Council since 2015 and as Chief since 2019. He also represents the Fraser Salish region at the First Nations Health Council. He is actively involved with Indigenous fisheries, justice, supporting children and families, and building relationships with other communities. He and his wife are grateful for their four children and large extended family. His heart and vision is to see people come together to rise above the obstacles like the mountain goat and move forward in a good way.

Cheam First Nation – Xwchíyò:m

andrew@nic-inc.ca | www.cheam.ca | British Columbia

The Xwchíyò:m have lived in S’ólh Téméxw for thousands of years. We have never ceded or surrendered title to our lands, rights to our resources, or authority to make decisions within our territory.

Leoni Rivers

Principal, CEO Leoni Rivers Consulting

Leoni Rivers Consulting, (LRC) has extensive experience working with senior level executive and senior management teams to create and implement Indigenous and community relations strategies around resource and project development. Leoni’s knowledge and evolving consultation requirements and current environmental context allows her to assist you define strategic objectives which result in you and your project team excel in project development success.  LRC has the skill sets and expertise to design, implement, and document successful consultation strategies that not only meet government regulatory requirements, but assist your company in creating the foundation for legacy, mutually beneficial relationships with the First Nations leadership and communities in which you operate. LRC expertise includes working on site specific resource development projects, for example but not limited to the following; First Nations Wind Energy Projects Partnerships (FNWEPP), Meikle Wind Energy Project, and Red Willow Energy Project as well as linear projects, BC Rail Ltd., Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipelines, ILM, Northwest Transmission Line, and LRC has led consultation and engagement with over 67 communities in BC, AB and YK.

Partnerships: Working with various Indigenous Peoples and First Nations communities, it is about the new partners sharing strengths, working together to find innovative solutions to project issues and challenges, and the creation of viable partnerships that provide opportunities for all parties to achieve their vision and ultimate outcomes. The strategic outcomes include the development of innovative partnership structures, (LLP, LP, and or JV,) on various projects.

leoni@nic-inc.ca | Alberta, British Columbia     

Ryan Robb

CEO, Chiniki Nation, Alberta

Ryan is currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Partnerships for Riversdale Resources. In this role, he oversees the External Affairs teams, with a particular interest in developing mutually beneficial projects with rightsholders and stakeholders.

Prior to joining Riversdale Resources, Ryan’s work included being the CEO for the Stoney Tribal Administration, as well as the CEO for Treaty 7 Management Corporation.

ryan@nic-inc.ca | linkedin.com/in/ryan-robb-2699701 | Saskatchewan

Grand Chief Joel Abrams

 Chiefs of Ontario, COO

Grand Chief Joel Abram hails from the Oneida Nation of the Thames Settlement, is a member of the Wolf Clan, and his Oneida name is Tewa:slake, which translates to ‘axe with two blades’.  
 
Joel served for 12 years on the elected Chief and Council in Oneida; six as a councillor, and six as the Chief.  He had a role in initiating the institution of a Gladue Court in the City of London, only the third such court in Ontario. He also played a critical role in the successful establishment of a 64 bed long-term care facility in Oneida. 
 
Joel has been involved with the Oneida community radio station, 89.5 The Eagle, in various roles including DJ, fundraiser, and technician for the past 17 years. In his free time, Joel enjoys playing competitive chess, spending time with family, and getting out his guitar and playing the occasional gig with his brother.

Michael Peters

CEO, Glooscap Ventures, Glooscap First Nation

Michael currently serves as the CEO at Glooscap Ventures, Glooscap First Nation’s economic development corporation. He has been with the organization since 2015. Michael started out as an Economic Development Officer with Glooscap First Nation in 2015 and eventually moved into other management roles and then to the CEO position.

In 2023 Michael graduated with his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Michael also attended Dalhousie University where he studied renewable energy technologies and graduated with the Sustainable Energy Technologies Professional Certification (SEPT). Before both Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie, Michael had attended the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) where he studied International Business.

Before post-secondary and Glooscap Ventures, Michael was an entrepreneur with investments in the food and beverage industry.

Michael’s background is in business development where he contributed to the creation of Glooscap Landing, Glooscap Corner, Glooscap Energy and the Glooscap Seafood companies. Today these companies employ many community members and generate own source revenue for the community of Glooscap First Nation.

Michael is the current Co-Chair for the Mi’kmaq-Canada-Nova Scotia Triparted Economic Development Committee, Chair of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, Governor on the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Board of Governors and Board Member of Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnow Agency (WMA) a corporate partnership owned by all 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities. Michael also serves as the Chair of Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP) Board of Directors. IGP is the third largest casino company in Canada and the largest 100% Canadian owned casino company in Canada. He is also an active member of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), and Project Management Institute (PMI).

Michael is a proud member of the Mi’kmaw community of Glooscap First Nation. He lives in the small town of Hantsport with his wife Audrey, daughter Faye and pug Darwin.

michael@nic-inc.ca | Nova Scotia

Travis Seymour

Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne

Travis Seymour is a Mohawk from the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne. He is a FCPA, FCGA with Certified Public Accountants of Ontario.  He currently serves as the CEO for the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which now has their head office located in Akwesasne. Since 2018, Travis has served as the Director of Finance and Administration for FNMHF.  Prior to working for the Fund, Travis worked for First Nations across Canada through various jobs he has held.  Travis has worked for organizations such as MNP LLP, First Nations Financial Management Board, Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. Travis also holds the designations of Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager from AFOA Canada, as well as the Certified Government Audit Professional from the Institute of Internal Auditors. Travis currently lives in Akwesasne and enjoys outdoor activities such as camping and fishing.

travis@nic-inc.ca | Ontario

Christopher Fry 

Kwanlin Dün First Nation

Chris is a member of Kwanlin Dün First Nation located in Whitehorse, Yukon. He has an undergraduate degree in International Indigenous Studies and a Masters of Science in Sustainable Energy Development from the University of Calgary. Chris has 15 years of experience working in Indigenous Relations in the energy industry and has worked for companies such as Imperial Oil, Cenovus, Shell, and TC Energy. He has worked with Indigenous communities throughout Western Canada on offshore, in situ oil sands, and shale oil and gas projects. Chris is the owner of Sustainative Inc., which provides Indigenous engagement consulting services for both community and corporate organizations. Sustainative Inc. has provided services for organizations such as Dow Canada, Habitat for Humanity, and the Prince Albert Grand Council. Chris is also a Sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary in the School of Public Policy.

chris@nic-inc.ca | Yukon