Benjamin Cooper-Janvier

Benjamin works at KPMG Canada as a Staff Accountant in the Corporate Audit practice.

Benjamin’s work experience at KPMG contributes to his goal of obtaining the CPA designation. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Professional Accounting at the University of Saskatchewan.

Russell Debassige

Russell Debassige is an Indigenous youth from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Russell has worked for Hollandia landscaping as a “Skilled Laborer” for the past 3 years and graduated from Fifth Wheel with tickets to become a legally certified Heavy Machinery Operator.

Noah Wilson

Business Development Manager for Indigenous Young Entrepreneurs for Manitoba and Saskatchewan @ Futurpreneur Canada

Noah is also the new co-chair for the Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Council for the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and am working towards reinforce the Chamber and the business community’s commitment to the Calls to Action and the relationship that includes the First Nation, Metis, and Inuit communities.

Jadelyn Psutka

Manager, Indigenous Recruitment and Enablement at KPMG Canada. Jadelyn is of mixed ancestry, being both Haudenosaunee and Polish. She is Oneida Nation of the Thames from the Turtle Clan and currently resides in Gatineau, Quebec.

Jadelyn works closely with the KPMG Talent Attraction team and business partners to ensure equity in the recruitment process, bring Indigenous perspectives to the core of the organization and ensure we are valuing the vast skills that Indigenous Peoples bring to an accounting firm.  

Sarah Sparks

Sarah Sparks is the Co-Founder/CEO of Alo Solutions an Indigenous and African Canadian-owned software start-up located in Toronto.  Alo is focused on using Tech to overcome the over-representation of Indigenous and African Canadian children and youth in Canada’s Child Welfare System.

Alo’s introductory product Alo applications aids in finding culturally appropriate caregivers promotes transparency, accountability and provides race-based analytical data while automating the Foster, Adoption, Kinship, Customary Care, and Respite application process.  

Thomas Benjoe

President & CEO of FHQ Developments and current Chair of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

I am from Muscowpetung First Nation in Treaty 4. Our company is a leading Indigenous Development Corporation that manages a portfolio of 12 companies across multiple industries, manages Economic Development for our Nations and Citizens and supports the growth of Indigenous talent through our HR solutions.

Jessica Mirasty

Jessica Mirasty is a member of Flying Dust First Nation and also has connections to Canoe Lake Cree Nation in Northwest Saskatchewan. 

Jessica is a 3rd year Bachelor of Commerce student at the U of S. During her time at the U of S, she has had the opportunity to co-found the Indigenous Business Students’ Society (IBSS), participate in the Co-op program, and be an active member in the Indigenous campus community.

Aric Aguonie

Aric Aguonie of the Sheguiandah First Nation is a certified organic/biodynamic farmer producing market vegetables, Scottish highland beef, chickens, seeds, herbs, crafts, planting calendars, and offering mentorship and education to those who want it.

Aric sits on the board of directors for the IAPO (Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario).

Diane Hill

Second-year master’s student in the department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. 

Her work broadly seeks to understand the relationship that Indigenous people have to movements of food sovereignty, environmental justice and climate action in order to advance Indigenous sovereignty

Naomi Sayers

Naomi has a broad public law practice with a focus on Indigenous law, administrative law (regulatory law), environmental, energy and mining law, criminal law and corporate law. With an international reach, people say Naomi’s work is transformative.

She has extensive experience in advising a range of entities and governments on privacy issues, Indigenous rights and governance issues.