‍I am an Elder of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and have lived my whole life in Fort Chipewyan where I was employed for 40 years as a Water Monitoring Technologist with the Alberta Government. I am very concerned about the changes in our ways of traditional living, health concerns and loss of natural resources due to low water levels and upstream industrial development  within the Athabasca and Peace River systems.

Although I am retired, I sit on the ACFN  Elders Advisory Council, have served a term as a ACFN councillor and have always been an active volunteer within my community. In the past I was Deputy Fire Chief, volunteered in the local fishing derby, the winter carnival, Coast Guard Auxillary just to name a few.

One of my greatest accomplishments with other civic minded citizens was as a member of the Delta Roughriders Snowmobile Club, we built the first winter road from Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray. I also trap part time where I own a trapline on the Fletcher Channel.

Calvin Waquan is a Mikisew Cree First Nation leader with extensive experience in Indigenous governance, clean energy, philanthropy, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. As the youngest MCFN Councillor, he spearheaded the construction of a 13.6 water treatment plant in Allison Bay reserve. In his co-chair role for the environment for MCFN, he helped advance the creation of Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park, which ultimately led to the creation of Nipîy Tu. As a Board of Director with Mikisew Group of Companies, he secured a landmark Indigenous equity stake in the East Tank Farm.

As President of Askiy Energy, he is a champion in NRCAN’s IODI program and founding President of Three Nations Energy, launching Canada’s largest remote solar farm. Calvin has led some of Canada’s most impactful off-grid energy efficiency and renewable projects.

He currently serves as President for his three companies, holds an Advisory Council role with Indigenous Clean Energy social enterprise, and is the Director of Emergency Management for his Nation Mikisew Cree, championing wildfire preparedness and sustainable energy solutions rooted in Indigenous knowledge. He attributes his success and knowledge to elders, knowledge keepers, organizations, government opportunities and his great uncle Chief Archie Waquan along his journey.

Raised in Ft Chipewyan, left Ft Chip to go to high school (residential school) in Fort Smith NWT in 1974, graduated from high school in 1977. Started work with Syncrude Canada (1977) prior to their startup(1978) in the Fort McMurray region.

I have worked with the IBEW union early in my career and worked for Dow Chemical for 21 years and finished off my career in the oil sands business with Shell Canada & Imperial Oil. In 2022, retired from the petrochemical sector after 45 years. Acquired a 3rd class power engineer certification and an electrical journeyman certificate throughout my career.

Currently I have family & friends that live in Fort Chipewyan and I am married to my wife, Jing and we live in Edmonton. I love to travel and explore the world! As an MCFN elder, naturally my passions are: the protection & preservation of the Peace Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park for future generations.

Elsie Cardinal is a proud Métis woman who has lived her entire life in Fort Chipewyan. She is the mother of three children, Kendrick, Kirby (deceased) and Evangeline and shares her life with her common-law husband, Kirk Campbell.

Elsie dedicated much of her career to the Nunee Health Authority, where she worked until her retirement, supporting the health and well-being of her community.

An active land-user, Elsie spends months each year at her cabin in Big Point, carrying forward the traditions and connections that have always grounded her family. She brings to the NTRKC Board a wealth of knowledge, a steady and reflective approach and a strong commitment to keeping our focus on priorities that ensure the long-term protection of the Peace-Athabasca Delta.

Chair of the Board of Directors

Lori is the Executive Director of the Dene Lands and Resource Management (DLRM) department of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN). She is a proud ACFN member and a dedicated environmental protection leader. Raised in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, Lori’s deep connection to her culture and the land has driven her to devote her career to safeguarding Indigenous traditional territories.

Melody is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN). Melody is a graduate of the Environmental Master’s program at Royal Roads University, and has over 20 years of experience directing First Nation consultation, impact assessments, negotiations and implementation of Impact and Benefit Agreements, environmental guardian monitoring, developing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and engagement with the UNESCO world heritage committee.

She is a member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Council member for the National Guardians Network and Board member for the Pembina Institute.

Carmen is the Lands and Regulatory Director for Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation (FCMN).

She originally hails from British Columbia. She has worked with Indigenous groups in the Northeastern Alberta region for over seven years in a multi-faceted setting. Carmen currently manages regulatory and government policy matters.