The Council

Guy Lonechild (White Bear First Nations- Treaty #4) is a well-known advocate in creating new economic opportunities and serves as President and CEO of First Nations Power Authority connecting both Indigenous and Industry leaders in renewable and alternative energy development.  As a first of its kind organization, Mr. Lonechild heads the organization as our strategic leader and serves the FNPA Board and provides leadership direction to the FNPA Team. 

Guy served as Vice-Chief and Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (1999-2008 and 2009-2011), where he oversaw the 25-year Economic Development Strategy highlighting important work in Alternative Energy, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism, Gaming, Housing and Community Infrastructure, Education, Health and Social Development.

Before entering politics, Guy served in various capacities as band administrator and private consultant to First Nations in Business and Community Development. 

He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Cape Breton University and Associates Degree in Golf Complex Operations Management. He and his wife Leah have one child, Darian Lonechild and enjoy quality time with friends and extended family.

Grand Chief Reg Niganobe is a member of Mississauga #8 First Nation along the North Shore of Lake Huron. He has served in a leadership capacity since 2009 where he started as a councillor and also held the position of Chief from 2011-2021. 

He now serves as the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief. 

Reg has been a strong advocate for retaining history and preservation of traditional territories. He has strong ties to the community through his family and many relations and continues to be an advocate for youth and supports their knowledge around governance, treaties, and the history of Anishinabek territory. 

Reg has also served as the Chair of the North Shore Tribal Council for six years and has a Public Policy and Governance Diploma from Toronto Metropolitan University. 

  Sean Conway is a member of Curve Lake First Nation in Treaty 20 and Williams’ Treaty territory. A multi-term Councillor, he has held leadership positions within Consultation, Capital Development, Infrastructure, Environment, and Education for his First Nation.

Sean is a strong advocate for First Nations economic development, education, and governance. He continues to work alongside communities to advance and reflect First Nations priorities in public and private sector development. Recently, Sean was appointed to his local public-school board to serve as the First Nations Trustee for several local communities and joined the faculty of an Ontario college instructing in Indigenous Perspectives.

Sean is excited to apply his knowledge and expertise to the work of the Indigenous Advisory Council.

Chief Jim Boucher continues to be one of the most influential and successful Indigenous leaders internationally.  Jim believes practice and preservation of one's traditional way of life can occur simultaneously alongside continuous and long-term sustainable oil sands development.   Jim has effectively built relationships with the oil and gas industry and all levels of government. This has built his community of Fort McKay's social and economic strength, facilitated proper consultation and advanced the rights of his community and it's people.

Jim Boucher was born in Fort McKay, Alberta, a community of about 850 Dene, Cree and Métis on the bank of the Athabasca River. The middle child of seven, he is a direct descendant of Headman Adam Boucher who signed Treaty 8 on August 4, 1899.  Raised by his grandparents, Jim’s first languages were Cree and Dene. The family lived off the land with Jim helping on the trap line as a young boy. “It was a very good life. I grew up with people helping each other. Everybody had a responsibility, a function. Everyone contributed, even children. Living off the land was a beautiful experience,” remembers Jim. When he was a boy, Jim and his siblings were placed in Blue Quills Indian Residential School in St. Paul. 

Previously Jim served on the Fort McKay First Nations executive and as a elected Council member during early 1980s.  In 1986, he was elected as Chief.  Jim served as the Chief for over 30 years to his community Fort McKay First Nation.   As Chief, he began helping the community navigate the decline of the fur trade in the early 80's and the growth of the oil sands industry, facilitating proper consultation and advancing the rights of his community and the peoples.  

As Board Chairman, Jim has developed and sustained successful First Nation-owned businesses that create economic wealth and opportunities for the people of Fort McKay. These Fort McKay First Nation majority-owned businesses include the 100 percent band-owned and operated Fort McKay Group of Companies and many Jointly owned partnerships.  Under his leadership, FMFN has grown into a successful, healthy community with next to zero unemployment, a per capita average household income higher than the Provincial and National average, a $65 million (and counting) trust fund, and control of companies that have generated $2.36 billion in revenue from 2013-2018. That makes FMFN a net contributor to Alberta’s and Canada’s economies. 

In 2020, Jim co-founded the Saa Dene Group of Companies and continues to service as President and Chairman of the Board.  He currently serves as an advisor and a board of director on several private and public companies, non-partisan and purpose drive organizations such as Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC); Acceleware; Energy Council of Canada; Alberta Order of Excellence; Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA); Alexander Business Corporation. 

Chief Boucher has received more than a dozen notable awards and accolades throughout his career, such as being inducted the Canadian Business Hall of Fame (2023), Alberta Order of Excellence (2020), Energy Person of the Year by the Canadian Energy Council of Canada (2018), and was named one of “The Power 50” – The 50 Most Influential Canadian Business Leaders (2017) and received the Commendation from the Governor General for Outstanding Service (2016). Jim also received the Aboriginal Business Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (2009), and Indspire (formerly National Aboriginal Achievement) Award - Business and Commerce (2008). 

Mr. Jim Ward is a resident and member of Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation where North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) main office is located. He has a substantial background in business operations, business planning, community development, consulting, and Indigenous engagement. One of his key responsibilities is to provide leadership as General Manager to the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) and the Anqotum ARROM (Aboriginal Aquatic Resource & Ocean Management).

Jim is a motivated individual with 30+ years experience in project management, business administration, governmental lobbying and has demonstrated an ability to see major activities and associated timeframes to completion on budget and on time.  Jim has a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills. He has attained significant experience in general administration and management of nonprofit organizations, project management, technical service delivery, and the general management of people and resources. He takes pride in delivering an innovative, results-based management style and has a proven record of accomplishments to back this up. The team of professionals at NSMTC are very proficient in the development and implementation of comprehensive technical service delivery strategies for our seven-member First Nation communities and beyond, and NSMTC is a well-respected service-delivery and advisory organization throughout Atlantic Canada.

As the General Manager for North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council and Anqotum ARROM, he would like to continue to utilize and apply his expertise and skills in his current work environment to continue to promote and encourage staff co-operation and teamwork. He also works diligently to promote professional development and growth for the members of our First Nation communities. Being an efficient leader within NSMTC, his primary goal is to create and maintain an effective, healthy, vibrant workplace for all employees.

In the First Nation communities, NSMTC faces unique challenges in our mandate as a Tribal Council organization, such as developing skills and capacity, bridging current skills gaps, providing effective training and orientation opportunities, addressing shortfalls in technical service delivery, and working towards the future prosperity of our Indigenous people & communities. Jim recently graduated from the University of New Brunswick Management Development “Professional Development Certificate” Program. The course components were invaluable in expanding his expertise and further strengthening his ability to carry out of his job duties. With the completed coursework and job experience he has become a more effective leader to guide the organization to better reflects the needs of our First Nation communities. This training has provided Jim with focused, practical information on how to improve and enhance the effectiveness of his management and leadership style.

 Millicent (Penny) Polchies is the Economic Development Manager with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI). In this role, Penny leads a team providing all aspects of Indigenous economic development and sustainability; they also build support within the realm of Indigenous entrepreneurship. A big believer in sustainable Indigenous economies, Penny supports communities that strive for success.  

Penny has spent 25 years in Indigenous economic and labour market initiatives, where she created a provincial network of employment and training officers (ETOs) and facilitated the creation and implementation of their career practitioner certification and training. This was done in partnership with the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) and resulted in one of the largest Indigenous groups in Canada becoming certified ETOs.  

Indigenous inclusion is essential to Penny.  She is a strong advocate for inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunity for business development. Penny brings awareness to the systematic barriers that the Indigenous population faces. In support of this, led JEDI to the creation of JEDI’s Indigenous Reconciliation Awareness Module, focusing on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92. 

Madeleine Redfern from Iqaluit, Nunavut is an Indigenous woman involved in high-tech and innovation. Actively involved in transformative technologies in telecommunications, transportation and energy in rural, remote, northern and indigenous regions.  

Madeleine is a member of the National Indigenous Advisory Council on SMRs, and acts as a Special Advisor to the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation.  Madeleine also sits as an IACSMR representative at the National Leadership table on SMR Action Plan.  

Madeleine's advocacy, professional, and governance work shown her dedication and passion towards the development and delivery of programs assisting Indigenous, Inuit, northerners and Canadians that reflect their values, needs, and priorities.  Madeleine received the Indspire Award for Public Service to acknowledge and celebrate all her hard work, commitment and contributions. 

education from the University of Saskatchewan earning a bachelor’s degree of science in Phys. Ed and a bachelor’s degree of Arts with a major in Native Studies. Felix is a past Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and currently serves as Chief of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation.

He has also served on various boards and committees including Assembly of First Nations National Self-Government Committee; FSIN Indian Government Commission; Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation. He has most recently been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Wanuskewin Heritage Park.