Indigenous Advisory Council

Carol Anne Hilton is a dynamic national leader with an international MBA from the University of Hertfordshire, England, she is of Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island. With an extensive career in business, Carol Anne is recognized for her contributions to business and economics, particularly in value creation in Indigenous economies.

She is committed to increasing the visibility and inclusion of Indigenous business and economic growth globally and is focused on multi-generational Indigenous wealth creation.  With over 20 years of experience in community, business development and economic design, she currently focuses her expertise, skills and strategic insights across a broad range of social, ecological and economic projects driving multi-generational impact nationally and globally.

Clint started his career as a lawyer with Benson Myles and transitioned into public service, serving as Senior Advisor to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Clint later joined BMO as the National Director of Indigenous Banking. Other roles included the CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and VP, Indigenous Banking with TD, where he developed TD’s first Indigenous Banking national strategy. Clint was most recently the CEO of Nunasi Corporation, headquartered in Iqaluit and owned by the Inuit of Nunavut.

Clint serves on the boards of Vancity Community Investment Bank, Nasittuq Corporation, and the Arctic Inspiration Prize. He is also an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for the Queen’s York Rangers, a reservist regiment based in Toronto.

Clint is an Inuk and was born and raised in Goose Bay, Labrador. He currently lives in Ottawa with his wife and three children.

James is an Indigenous Digital and Social Disrupter. With the guiding principles of Indigenous knowledge and the foundations of cultural safety and humility, James uses his leadership skills to serve First Nation communities, government and the private sector.

As former Chief of the Klahoose First Nation, he had the privilege of heralding technology, eco-tourism, green energy, aquaculture and forestry projects serving the social and economic needs of the Klahoose. In his current role as President of a technology and consulting company, he remains steadfast working on passion projects with internet connectivity, data governance and emerging technologies such as blockchain and self sovereign identity initiatives.

James is passionate about bridging the digital divide for First Nations and Indigenous communities and continues to promote cultural safety and humility to technology companies around the globe.

Dr. Kim van der Woerd is a proud member of the ‘Namgis First Nation. She completed her PhD in Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and has over 20 years of experience conducting local, provincial and national program evaluations, and conducting research. She has received the following awards and distinctions for her research and evaluation work:

• BC Achievement Foundation - BC Aboriginal Business Award Business of the Year

• BC Achievement Foundation - BC Community Contributions Award 2018

• The Mitchell Award 2018

• Canadian Evaluation Society - Contributions to Evaluation in Canada Award 2014.

Luc Lainé is a member of the Huron-Wendat nation.  He is a graduate of Laval University in sociology and business law, and has worked actively to promote reconciliation and the Aboriginal cause for 30 years. 

Luc was the first Francophone to co-chair the Assembly of First Nations and served as Chief of Staff to Grand Chief Max Gros-Louis. During his term as Chief Delegate of the Council of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Luc Lainé reformed the electoral and governance code, which is now inspired by the traditions and history of his nation by granting a central role to the family.

Magnolia is the Indigenous Women and Youth Lead at the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA). Through her role with NACCA, Magnolia has led the development and rollout of a new national program and microfinance fund to promote Indigenous women’s participation in business. 

She holds a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Policy and Administration from Carleton University and a Masters in Indigenous Nationhood at the University of Victoria where she focused on entrepreneurship and economic development in Indigenous communities. 

Magnolia has experience in advocacy, research, and program development and has worked with many Indigenous non-profit organizations including the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC).

Magnolia is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Shani is the founder and managing partner of pipikwan pêhtâkwan, formerly Gwin Communications. Founded in 2016, pipikwan pêhtâkwan is an Indigenous owned and operated company focused on elevating Indigenous voices and their stories. Shani is a sixth generation Métis and is a member of the Cunningham Clan and a descendant of the Michel Band.

She holds 12 years of professional communications experience working for government, private and not-for-profit organizations and has led communications on high profile initiatives, issues and media events. Since starting the company, Shani has built a reputation for building capacity in others and creating transformational change in communities, organizations, and people.

Shaun is a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation, a signatory of Treaty 6, located south of Battleford, Saskatchewan. As Director of Indigenous Relations, his focus is on activities that will enable economic development for Indigenous communities, including increasing participation in and access to capital for primary production through the agri-food and agribusiness value chains.

Shaun also builds intersections for growth, understanding, learning, employment, partnership, research and knowledge dissemination between government, industry, non-profits, academia and Indigenous stakeholders through FCC’s national network of partners and industry stakeholders. He joined FCC in 2019.

Shaun has 30 years of experience in social and economic development work and held senior positions with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth, the University of Saskatchewan and the department of Justice.

Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is a Dene youth from the Fort Nelson First Nation, BC Treaty 8 Territory. She holds a degree in Health and Physical Education and certificates in Indigenous Sport and Recreation Management and Community and Land-Based Research. In her full-time role, Taylor is the Community Liaison for her Nations-owned renewable energy project, Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal. 

In her young professional life, Taylor has dedicated her time to advocating for Indigenous youth priorities and experiences at all levels of government, society and in each role she is in. As Co-Chair for the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council Taylor was the youth representative for the First Nations delegation that went to the Vatican to discuss Indian Residential Schools with Pope Francis in March 2022. As an intergenerational survivor Taylor is committed to advancing reconciliation.

A Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listuguj, in the traditional territory of Gespe’gewa’gi. Victoria owns Wejipeg Excavation Inc. and co-owns Wejuseg Construction Inc, where she serves as President.

Victoria has served in many roles for the First Nation and federal public service, working at the Band, regional and national levels. Victoria is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.

Victoria holds a BA in political science and an MBA both from the University of New Brunswick at Fredericton. Post-secondary studies included a sojourn in the French Riviera at the Université Canadienne en France. She also holds a contractor’s license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.

In 2020 – 2022, Victoria represented the National Indigenous Economic Development Board in the development of Canada’s first National Indigenous Economic Strategy (NIES). She also served as co-chair for a national Steering Committee with the Canadian Construction Association.