Indigenous Advisory Council

Kluane Adamek, Aagé, (she/her) is a proud northerner, a citizen of Kluane First Nation, and a member of the Dakl’aweidi Clan. Based in Whitehorse, Yukon with her partner and daughter, she served as AFN Yukon Regional Chief from 2018–2025, advancing national files on Climate Change, Environment, Water, Modern Treaties, and Health during COVID-19. In these roles, she represented First Nations and Canada at national and international forums, ensuring Indigenous voices were present at decision-making tables and building strong partnerships across sectors, with the federal government, and with rights holders.

Kluane holds a BA (Carleton, 2009), MBA (SFU, 2019), and is completing the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) designation. She has served on the Kluane Dana Shä̀w Limited Partnership and currently sits as a Trustee for the Kluane First Nation Trust.

She believes major projects must follow a rights-based approach that fully considers community impacts, and she remains committed to values-driven leadership and lasting solutions for future generations.

Chief Darcy Bear has dedicated himself to the betterment of his community and our nation since being elected to Council in 1991 at the age of 23. In 1993, Darcy was elected as Chief of Whitecap Dakota First Nation (WDFN), and is currently serving his 27th year as Chief of WDFN. As WDFN’s leader, Chief Bear has always maintained a focus on community development, and has worked to bring greater fiscal accountability, transparency and good governance to the community. He has been widely recognized for his economic, business and community development achievements and has received numerous awards to recognize these accomplishments.

Today, WDFN enjoys a reputation as one of Canada’s most successful communities in investment attraction and job creation. Chief Bear’s focus on “progress through partnerships’ has been pivotal to this status. To Chief Bear, the most important outcome of sustainable economic growth is the ability of Whitecap to provide an increased level of services to its citizens.

Vanessa Doig is the Assistant Director of the President’s Department of Makivvik, the Inuit Treaty Organization representing the northern region of Nunavik. As an Inuk from Nunavik herself, Vanessa holds the mandate for the organization’s federal files, including multiple portfolios on infrastructure projects and programs. In recent years, Vanessa has managed the implementation of key federal programs such as the Indigenous Communities and Infrastructure Fund (ICIF), which saw projects such as arenas, youth centers, and sports complexes built in the communities of Nunavik. She also works on projects in urban areas as well, including the current implementation of a women’s shelter in Montreal. In her everyday role, Vanessa leads multiple teams working on major projects for Makivvik, while also maintaining strong relationships with the three other Inuit Treaty Organizations of Canada (Nunatsiavut Government, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation), and national Inuit organizations as well (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, Pauktuutit Women of Canada).

JP Gladu is currently Principal of Mokwateh and previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business for approximately eight years. Mr. Gladu has nearly 35 years of experience in the natural resource sector including working with Indigenous communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada and the globe.

Mr. Gladu serves on the boards of Suncor, the Institute of Corporate Directors, Superior Plus, BHP’s Forum for Corporate Responsibility and Domtar’s Sustainability Committee. He has completed a forestry technician diploma from Sault College, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, holds an Executive MBA from Queens University, an ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto, an honorary doctorate in law from Carleton University in 2024 and an honorary doctorate in business from Lakehead University in 2025.

He is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and served as the Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College Waterloo from 2017 to 2020. JP’s achievements have been recognized by the Public Policy Forum as a prestigious 2024 Honouree and the Premiers Award.

Victoria LaBillois, a distinguished Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listuguj, earned the prestigious 2024 Indspire Award in the Business and Commerce category. For outstanding service to community, Victoria was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Her latest entrepreneurial launch, the Eloquent Hostess, combines her gift for languages with her powerful voice, serving as MC to national events and conferences.

With a rich background in public service, Victoria has dedicated her efforts to both the First Nation and federal sectors, contributing at the Band, regional and national levels. Currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB). Victoria is a board member for Hydro Québec, the first Indigenous person to serve in this role.

Victoria is a lifelong learner, holding a BA in political science and an MBA from the University of New Brunswick. Her most recent studies at the Harvard School of Business were as part of the Indigenous leadership programming.

Beyond her professional achievements, Victoria is deeply committed to mentoring and serving as a role model. Her passion project is imparting valuable financial literacy skills to Indigenous youth, contributing to their overall empowerment and success. She was instrumental in the development of a video game, Money Smarts, for Indigenous youth to learn the fundamentals of money management.

Trevor Mercredi is the Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta. He is a Dane-zaa and Cree leader with deep experience in governance, intergovernmental negotiations, and advancing economic development for Indigenous peoples. Formerly elected as Chief of Beaver First Nation, he worked to secure funding reforms, improve services, and strengthen community capacity. As Grand Chief, he continues to advocate for Treaty and inherent rights, while fostering respectful relationships with governments, industry, and partners across Canada. His leadership emphasizes practical solutions rooted in cultural values, ensuring that Elders are heard and that youth are empowered as the next generation of leaders. Guided by the history of the Treaties and the vision of strong, self-determined Nations, Trevor remains committed to building a future where Indigenous peoples exercise their rights, shape their own development, and sustain their communities for generations to come.

Chief Terry Paul is Chief and CEO of Membertou, a Mi’kmaw community located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

In Chief Paul’s 41 year tenure, Membertou has thrived. The land base has tripled, employment rates are above 80%, graduation rates are 95%, and the community has grown into a hub for business and community-focused living.

Chief Paul led the 2021 acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods for $1 billion. In 2024, Membertou acquired 50% of New Dock in St. John’s, NL.

Chief Paul was appointed to the Order of Canada and is a recipient of the Frank McKenna Leadership Award and the CCAB Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s a member of the NS Business Hall of Fame and holds honourary doctorates from Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Mount Allison University.

Membertou’s motto of “Welcoming the World” is the most accurate representation of the progressive community that Membertou has become under the leadership of Chief Terry Paul.

Lorne Pelletier is Red River Métis, born and raised in Ile des Chênes, Manitoba and currently serves as Senior Economic Advisor at the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). In this position, which he began in July 2021, he provides strategic economic and investment advice to President Chartrand and members of his Cabinet. In his role Lorne equally provides recommendations and support to MMF’s government priorities in traditional economies, market access for Red River Métis artists, lands and properties, and business and partnership development.

Lorne currently serves as one of two Indigenous Co-chairs with Canada’s Co-development Table on Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy, is a Provincial appointee to the Board of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, serves as a member of the IAC with Economic Development Winnipeg, and is a past member of the IAC with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Manitoba.

A proud Inuk from Taloyoak, Nunavut, Christy Nipisha Sinclair has devoted over 30 years to advancing Inuit priorities in business, governance and community development. She began her studies at Nunavut Sivuniksavut, later studying Management at Athabasca University and completing executive programs at Queen’s School of Business and Cornell University.

Christy has held senior roles including Vice President of Community Air Service at Canadian North and Director of Business Relations at Kitikmeot Corporation and NorTerra Inc. She currently serves as Infrastructure Analyst at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Her commitment to community is reflected in her governance service on the boards of Atuqtuarvik Corporation, Nunavut Inuit Resources Revenue Trust, Nunavut Trust and Nunasi Corporation. Internationally, she contributed the International Inuit Business Association and supported the development of the Inuit Development Corporation Association and the Northern Aboriginal Business Association.

Christy’s career exemplifies her dedication to Inuit empowerment in business development, governance and community advancement.

Crystal Smith served the Haisla Nation for 12 years, including eight as Chief Councillor (2017–2025), leading a transformative shift from managing poverty to managing opportunity, success, and independence. She is recognized nationally for advancing Indigenous economic self-determination through projects that balance prosperity with environmental stewardship.

Under her leadership, the Haisla Nation played a central role in LNG Canada, launched HaiSea Marine—the world’s first fully electric tugboat fleet—and secured the $6 billion Cedar LNG Project, the largest Indigenous-led infrastructure investment in Canadian history. These ventures have enabled the Nation to fund programs independently and create lasting benefits for future generations.

Crystal is Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a former Director of the First Nations Climate Initiative, a Board Director at Taseko Mines, and a member of TC Energy’s Indigenous Advisory Council. Her achievements have earned her BC Business Women of the Year, Public Policy Forum Honouree, Energy Person of the Year, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

A proud mother, grandmother, and athlete, Crystal remains deeply connected to her community while championing Indigenous leadership and economic reconciliation across Canada.

Matt Vermette is an accomplished economist, entrepreneur, academic, and leader that has devoted much of his professional career to advising and working with Indigenous governments, entrepreneurs, economic development corporations, and institutions across Saskatchewan. He has extensive experience supporting business development, indigenous engagement, and impact benefit agreement negotiations in the forestry, mining, critical minerals, and energy sectors. Matt is currently a member of the board for the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation and an advisory committee member for the Government of Canada’s Strategic Partnership Initiative for the energy and critical mineral’s sector.

Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Matt is a proud Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) citizen and hold’s Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan. Matt is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, a Métis government that represents the rights and interest of the over 60,000 Métis people living throughout the Province of Saskatchewan.