During his tenure as Chief of the Klahoose First Nation from 2007 to 2011, Ken Brown pursued an aggressive economic development agenda which brought unprecedented economic and employment growth to his Nation. As a strong proponent of independent power projects, he negotiated Impact and Benefit Agreements, and managed the Klahoose First Nations involvement in the Toba Montrose Hydro Power Plant (a $660 million, run-of-river hydro project), which brought income, training programs, and jobs to the Nation. He also negotiated a 120 meter community forest license and was the first of any First Nation on the coast to procure, develop, and manage a successful geoduck tenure. In addition, Ken developed relationships with the University of British Columbia’s Department of Forest Resource Management for the purpose of better managing opportunities in carbon offset programs, sivilculture systems and modelling long term forest growth and management. By invitation from Premier Gordon Campbell, Ken participated in BC’s Clean Energy Advisory Task Force. He is one of the strongest Aboriginal supporters of the independent power sector and strongly advocates for meaningful First Nation participation in the industry.
Ken is currently pursuing his interest in independent power and aquaculture, and advises on economic development initiatives and matters involving First Nations in British Columbia.
Phone:778-383-6337
email:kenbdirect@gmail.com
Jay Chou, is based in Whitehorse, Yukon specializing in First Nations consultation and stakeholder engagement in the mineral and energy sectors. In his previously held positions with BC Government and AECOM, Jay developed experience in identifying and managing stakeholders’ interests, concerns and expectations on complex, multi-disciplinary issues associated with resource development projects.
Jay is also experienced in developing strategic engagement plans to provide clients with solutions-based engagement designed to reduce project risks. He has developed and implemented varying levels of consultation programs that are jurisdiction specific and in-line with fiduciary and regulatory requirements. Jay has provided research and coordination services for environmental assessment studies, including baseline socio-economics, social impact assessments, traditional knowledge and consultation reports. These reports assist communities to better understand the project, its potential effects and mitigation options. By coordinating public meetings, workshops, and community visits, Jay strives to provide opportunities for building and enhancing relationships between industry, government, communities and other stakeholders.
Phone: 867-335-6683
email: Stratum.North@gmail.com
William LeBarge, M.Sc., P. Geol., is a member of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council First Nation and a Professional Geologist with 26 years of experience, 20 of which have been spent specializing in the study of placer gold deposits. Currently a consultant with his own company, Bill served many years as the Yukon Government’s Placer Geologist, and his expertise on the placer geology and placer mining activity of the Yukon is valued by miners, mining companies and prospectors, university researchers, First Nations and many others. Bill has initiated and managed many placer research projects which have been published as numerous scientific papers in government publications and refereed journals. His research and extensive knowledge of worldwide placer geology and placer mining have earned him many international business contacts and he is frequently sought after to give technical presentations locally and internationally. Bill also serves on the Board of Directors of the Yukon Mine Training Association. His current objective is to expand his experience working with First Nations and their mining-related interests, as well as to continue working with international companies assessing placer deposits and mines in Russia and the former Soviet Union. Bill first learned the Russian language at Moscow State University while spending several months studying there during the winter of 2002, and continues to practice and improve his skills, especially on his frequent travels back to Russia.
Cell: 867-334-1461
email: wlebarge@gmail.com
Gordon Loverin owns and operates T’senaglobe Media Inc.. A former journalist and broadcaster he has worked for CBC, CTV, CityTV, TVNC and two native broadcasting societies in northern BC and Yukon. Having grown up in a mining town in northern BC and worked in a few mines before becoming a broadcaster, Mr. Loverin has a unique understanding of the mining industry and how it works. Mr. Loverin is also one of the current sitting Co-chairs of the Northwest Transmission Line Coalition, a lobby group that helped get the provincial grid extended further into northwest British Columbia. He is also a former director of the Geoscience BC board and is a professional associate of the organization. He acts as a First Nations liaison and engagement advisor.
Mr. Loverin is of Tahltan-Tlingit heritage and believes there are real opportunities for First Nations in BC through partnerships with industry and through revenue sharing in resource development projects. He is passionate about business and its benefits for promoting the social and economic well being of First Nations.
Cell: 604-842-9809
e-mail: loverin@tsenaglobe.com
Bruce K. McKnight, B.A.Sc., M.Sc.,P. Eng, MBA, FCIM, is a seasoned mining executive whose experience ranges from exploration, through development to operating environments with particular focus on public consultation/negotiation, media relations, investor and public relations and project valuations. As Executive Director, he raised the profile and professionalism of the BC &Yukon Chamber of Mines (renamed Association for Mineral Exploration BC) during a period of relative down turn in BC’s mining industry. As a Senior Executive with Westmin Resources Limited, Bruce played a major role in financing and developing three mines in BC and one in Chile. He was the chief negotiator on the first BC Government initiated land planning negotiation (CORE Process) for Vancouver Island and participated nationally in a similar role on the Land Access Issue Group of the Whitehorse Mining Initiative. Bruce worked closely with the Ross River Dena Council to develop a community based mining strategy and assisted them in negotiations with several mining companies. He similarly worked with McLeod Lake Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band on negotiations with respect to Resource Revenue Sharing. Bruce is currently involved with many projects that utilize his diverse skills, wide experience, solid reputation and extensive contacts within mining related private and public sectors.
Phone: 604-926-5799
Cell: 604-209-8131
e-mail: bmcknight@telus.net
Craig Noordmans, MA, Anthropology, has many years of experience in providing quality and innovative services associated with cultural, economic development and natural resource issues. He provides clients with professional alternatives and results in the fields of strategic planning, public relations, mediation, negotiation, research, consultation, policy design and analysis, and program design, implementation and evaluation. He has specialized skills in applying social policy to First Nations relationships, energy technology, and relevant applications of culture and the arts in relation to public policy. Craig has provided strategic advisory and negotiation services to the Deputy Minister/ADM level of many British Columbia Provincial and Crown agencies (Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, BC Environmental Assessment Office, and Agriculture). He has also worked at the strategic level with BC industry leaders and was a key participant in coordinating an inter-agency mining regulatory roundtable on behalf of the Mining Association of British Columbia. He frequently serves as a liaison between the natural resource industry and environmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, and also works directly for First Nations clients in economic development ventures. Craig’s particular area of expertise is in developing positive relationships between different stakeholders including industry, First Nations, government and the public through strategic planning, negotiation and communication.
Phone: 604-999-9656
e-mail: craigstrata21@gmail.com
Leilah Tate, B.Sc., P.Geo., has over 20 years experience in the mineral exploration and mining sector in British Columbia. Present and past projects include BC based mineral exploration projects that have entered the Environmental Assessment process, and permitting for the construction phase of approved mining projects. This experience has given her a solid working knowledge of the BC environmental assessment process and other permitting processes under the Environment Management Act, Water Act and Mines Act. Leilah is extremely adept at reviewing environmental assessment applications on behalf of clients, developing Environmental Management Plans applicable to the construction phase of mining projects, as well as directing and contributing to the preparation of applications and supporting documents for environmental and mine permits. Her ability to develop positive working relationships with a wide variety of people is a strong complement to her teambuilding and networking skills. Her clients have found these invaluable in supporting effective and positive relations with First Nations and communities and to address their concerns regarding mineral exploration and mining projects in their region. In late 2010 Leilah was a key member of client Commerce Resources community engagement team which led to successful completion an Exploration Agreement between the Simpcw First Nation and the Company.
Phone: 604-489-0097
Cell: 604-831-3830
e-mail: ltate-sage@shaw.ca