9th NATION2NATION
ANNUAL FORUM
October 21-23, 2025
2025 Speaker Bios
Masters of Ceremonies
Dale Swampy
Founder and President of the National Coalition of Chiefs
Dale Swampy is a member of the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta and a graduate of the University of Alberta with a B.A. degree majoring in Economics.
In 2006, after working for 22 years with his band, Mr. Swampy left his position as CEO with the Samson Cree Nation to start his own business as an Indigenous Relations consultant working on a variety of projects including the Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Pipeline projects. In 2009, after the completion of these projects, Mr. Swampy was honored by the Dakota Sioux Tribe of Manitoba with their highest honor, the Horse Medallion, for service to their communities.
In 2010, Mr. Swampy joined the Indigenous Relations team for the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project as Director of Indigenous Relations for the BC terrestrial region. Mr. Swampy was then appointed by Indigenous leaders as mediator for the newly formed Northern Gateway Aboriginal Equity Partners group, or AEP – a coalition comprised of 31 Indigenous leaders working as part of an unprecedented partnership with Northern Gateway.
In 2016, after the cancelation of Northern Gateway, Mr. Swampy started the National Coalition of Chiefs (NCC). Today, the NCC works with Chiefs from across Canada to advocate for the natural resource industry and the clean energy transition. The NCC is also committed to “Defeating On-Reserve Poverty” through positive dialogue and partnership with Canada’s Natural Resource Industry.
Mr. Swampy is a board member and provides advisory services to the following organizations and communities:
Emissions Reduction Alberta, Board Member
Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association, Board Member
Stoney Nakoda Nation, Advisor
Canadian Energy Regulator, Advisor
Business Council of Alberta, Advisor
Ambipar Canada, Advisor
Total Energy Services, Advisor
Kiwetinohk Energy Corp, Advisor
Lisa Mueller
Founder of Nation2Nation Events
Lisa Mueller from the Tsilhqot'in Nation is the founder and creator of the Nation2Nation Forum in Terrace, BC. She is a First Nation consultant, community builder and workshop facilitator recognized as a young, upcoming voice and connector in the First Nation Community in BC.
WEDNESDAY SPEAKERS
Opening Remarks
Haisla Dance Group | Spirit of the Kitlop Dancers
Haisla Nation Council | Deputy Chief Councillor Kimberly Robinson
District of Kitimat | District Councilor Michelle Martinswith
Skeena MLA | Claire Rattee
IRSSS | Tara William, Manager, Settlement Claims Support
Sponsor MC | Karolina Wenzel , N2N Events
KEYNOTE | Topic: TBC
Stephen Buffalo
President, Indian Resource Council of Canada
Stephen Buffalo is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Resource Council of Canada. Mr. Buffalo is a proud member of the Samson Cree Nation. He graduated secondary school from Athol Murray College at Notre Dame, Saskatchewan. Mr. Buffalo holds a B.A. from Medicine Hat College and B.M. from University of Lethbridge. He worked for Peace Hills Trust for 15 years, most recently as the Regional Manager for Southern Alberta.
Mr. Buffalo sits on a numerous boards including being the first ever Indigenous Governor for the Canadian Energy Executive Association, Samson Management 2009 Ltd., University of Calgary ReDevelop Initiative, St. Mary’s University – Calgary, and is the Vice President of the Notre Dame Hounds – National Alumni. Mr. Buffalo is traditionally and culturally connected. He is an avid golfer and enjoys dedicating his free time to coaching hockey.
PANEL SESSION 1 | Topic: TBC
Panelist
TBD
PANEL SESSION 2 | Topic: Building Economic & Energy Corridors in Canada
Shannon Joseph
Chair, Energy for Secure Future
Ms. Joseph is an accomplished sustainable development and public affairs professional, currently serving as Chair of Energy for a Secure Future (ESF) — a nonpartisan initiative of business, labour, municipal and Indigenous leaders, as well as industry organizations across various sectors, focused on building a secure energy future for Canada and its international allies.
She is motivated by the strong conviction that energy is about people and that abundant, affordable, low-emission energy is a pre-condition for growing the middle class, protecting the environment and in Canada, advancing reconciliation.
In addition to her role with ESF, Ms. Joseph is a member of the board of directors of Tamarack Valley Energy, a Canadian oil and gas company operating in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. She is also an Energy Forum Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a member of the Energy Committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Previously, Ms. Joseph served as Vice-President, Government Relations and Indigenous Affairs with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and as the founding Director of the $75 million Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Over her career, she has served in senior roles focused on federal environmental policy, Indigenous and stakeholder relations and environmental program implementation. Ms. Joseph is a professional engineer with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University and a Master of Applied Science – Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Stephen Buffalo
President, Indian Resource Council of Canada
Stephen Buffalo is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Resource Council of Canada. Mr. Buffalo is a proud member of the Samson Cree Nation. He graduated secondary school from Athol Murray College at Notre Dame, Saskatchewan. Mr. Buffalo holds a B.A. from Medicine Hat College and B.M. from University of Lethbridge. He worked for Peace Hills Trust for 15 years, most recently as the Regional Manager for Southern Alberta.
Mr. Buffalo sits on a numerous boards including being the first ever Indigenous Governor for the Canadian Energy Executive Association, Samson Management 2009 Ltd., University of Calgary ReDevelop Initiative, St. Mary’s University – Calgary, and is the Vice President of the Notre Dame Hounds – National Alumni. Mr. Buffalo is traditionally and culturally connected. He is an avid golfer and enjoys dedicating his free time to coaching hockey.
Justin Bourque, PMP
President, Asokan, Generation Developments
Justin is an experienced and passionate leader with 27 years of diverse Industry and Indigenous Community development experience. Presently, he is Founder and President of Âsokan GenerationalDevelopments, a consulting firm providing strategic advisory services focused on bridging the gap between Industry and Indigenous Communities.
As a passionate Indigenous leader, Justin is deeply committed to enhancing the relationships between corporations and Indigenous Communities. With extensive experience in both, he sees the value in mutually beneficial relationships. Building Indigenous resilience, economic sovereignty and shareholder value through development and management of meaningful partnerships between Indigenous Communities and Industry. He has been at the forefront of ideating, developing and successfully executing a number of major projects, both greenfield and brownfield, representing Indigenous Communities as well as corporate clients. These projects included a number of complex Indigenous equity ownership transactions, where he has served in diverse roles, including as an advisor, management committee representative, project lead, lead negotiator, Indigenous Community leader, President and Director of the Board post-closing. Most recently, Justin has played an integral role in three major Indigenous equity transactions worth approximately $2.6 billion and involving more than 35 unique Indigenous Communities throughout Alberta. As part of executing these transactions, Justin supported the raise of nearly $0.5 billion in capital.
Former Chief Crystal Smith
Haisla Nation
Crystal Smith has served the Haisla people for 12 years through her work with Haisla Nation Council, starting as Executive Assistant to Chief and Council from 2009 to 2013, then being elected Chief Councillor in 2017.
She holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Coast Mountain College and a Business Skills Certificate from Thompson Rivers University.
In November, 2019, she was named Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a group committed to encouraging First Nations development of the LNG industry to provide employment and other sustainable benefits for BC’s aboriginal people. She advocates for Haisla Nation-owned joint venture partnerships which allows for participation in major projects in Haisla territory.
Using those opportunities provides a doorway for members to find rewarding work and educational opportunities to enhance their skills and improve social conditions in Haisla communities. Ultimately, she wants the work done today by her and all of the Council to benefit today’s 1700 Haisla people but future generations as well.
FNNGA Overview
Karen Ogen
Chief Executive Officer First Nations Natural Gas Alliance
Karen Ogen is the CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible LNG development in Canada – with a priority on the environment, and on First Nations consultation and engagement.
Karen brings extensive experience to her role, having served as elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for six years, 2010-2016. She was also a council member for the Nation 1987-1990 and again 2019-2022.
She is familiar with the needs of Indigenous communities throughout B.C. and seeks to increase economic opportunities for First Nations through providing information and education regarding responsible resource development.
While Karen recognizes that not all projects will be appropriate for all nations, she hopes to help inspire more First Nations to consider and engage in discussions with industry and government around the possibility of resource opportunities.
Karen’s academic background is in social work. She achieved her Master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2007, and graduated from the Indigenous Governance Certificate Program from the University of Victoria in 2010. August 2022, she successfully completed her the Masters in Business Administration program from Simon Fraser University in the Indigenous Business Leadership program. She is the first in her family and community to attain two Master’s degrees.
Karen was named one of the “35 Most Influential Women in BC: The power to disrupt” in March 2016, by BC Business Magazine. And she was elected in two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022, as one of the Business in Vancouver BC 500: The most influential business leaders in British Columbia, in the Resources: Oil and Gas sector.
PANEL 3 - WITH FNNGA | Topic: The Indigenous Natural Gas Opportunity upstream and midstream
MODERATOR
Chief Clifford White
Gitxaala Nation
Clifford White (Nees Ma’Outa) is a hereditary leader and a former Chief Councillor of Gitxaała Nation, Clifford has dedicated his life to serving Indigenous people. As an Elder he has played an important role in BC’s First Nations/Indigenous Courts supporting holistic, traditional ways to restore balance and healing. In addition to his involvement as an Elder in the New Westminster First Nations Courts, Clifford is a BC Treaty Commissioner, elected by the First Nations Summit. He is also a Commissioner with BC Housing and a Commissioner with BC Infrastructure Benefits. Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and wisdom with him that will help guide BCFNJC’s implementation of the Justice Strategy.
Chief Valerie Askoty
Prophet River First Nation
Chief Valerie Askoty serves as the respected leader of the Prophet River First Nation, a vibrant Indigenous community located in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. With a deep commitment to the cultural preservation, economic development, and social well-being of her people, Chief Askoty advocates for the rights and interests of the Prophet River Nation at regional and national levels.
Under her leadership, the community has focused on fostering sustainable resource management, strengthening governance, and enhancing educational opportunities for future generations. Chief Askoty is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with government entities, industry partners, and neighboring Indigenous communities to build partnerships that support long-term prosperity and cultural resilience.
Her dedication to upholding Indigenous traditions while embracing innovation marks her tenure as a pivotal period in the ongoing growth and empowerment of the Prophet River First Nation.
Charles Morven
Secretary-Treasurer Nisga’a Lisims Government
Charles Morven, Secretary – Treasurer of Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) is serving his second term for the Nisga’a Nation, 8500 strong. Charles is of the Raven/Frog clan (Ganada), comes from Wilps Axdii Wil Luugooda/ Ksim Xsaan, and strengthened by the Nisga’a name Daaxheet. He has strong roots from the Nisga’a Village of Gitlaxt’aamiks, 1 of 4 Nisga’a Villages along the Nass River.
Secretary – Treasurer Morven works high level with NLG Executive Committee and the House of Making Laws (Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a) legislative decision tables. He holds the responsibility of chairing both Nisga’a Finance Committee, Nisga’a Capital Finance Committee, oversees and works with management of the Nisga’a Settlement Trust, supported by the 7 Nisga’a community memberships, and upholds tripartite agree ments with BC and Canada to further strengthen the Nisga’a Treaty, 25 years in the making.
Secretary – Treasurer Morven holds the responsibility as lead negotiator on behalf of NLG for benefit agreements with mining industries, Ksi Lisims LNG project, and devel oped partnership with the Fiore Group in the creation of Nations Royalty Corp. This was launched on June 20, 2024 and is the largest and first majority Indigenous owned public company trading on the TSX Venture.
Secretary – Treasurer Morven has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in First Nations Studies through UNBC and a certificate in Advanced Management attained through the UBC Sauder’s School of Business.
Secretary - Treasurer Morven currently resides in the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw, BC, home community of beautiful wife, Nicole Morven. Charles and Nicole have one daughter Peyton Azak-Morven, and are all deeply rooted to the land, resources, and historic culture.
PANEL 4 - WITH FNNGA | Topic: Developing LNG facilities on the Coast
MODERATOR
Former Chief Crystal Smith
Haisla Nation
Crystal Smith has served the Haisla people for 12 years through her work with Haisla Nation Council, starting as Executive Assistant to Chief and Council from 2009 to 2013, then being elected Chief Councillor in 2017.
She holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Coast Mountain College and a Business Skills Certificate from Thompson Rivers University.
In November, 2019, she was named Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a group committed to encouraging First Nations development of the LNG industry to provide employment and other sustainable benefits for BC’s aboriginal people. She advocates for Haisla Nation-owned joint venture partnerships which allows for participation in major projects in Haisla territory.
Using those opportunities provides a doorway for members to find rewarding work and educational opportunities to enhance their skills and improve social conditions in Haisla communities. Ultimately, she wants the work done today by her and all of the Council to benefit today’s 1700 Haisla people but future generations as well.
Luke Schauerte
Chief Executive Officer, Woodfibre LNG
Luke Schauerte is the Chief Executive Officer of Woodfibre LNG, a Pacific Energy Corporation (Canada) Limited company, and is leading the development of one of Canada’s most innovative and sustainable LNG export projects. Appointed CEO in November 2024, Schauerte brings over two decades of leadership experience in the Canadian and international energy sectors.
Before joining Woodfibre LNG, Schauerte served as Vice President, Asset at LNG Canada, where he played a pivotal role in the construction and commissioning of Canada’s first large-scale LNG export facility. His career also includes senior leadership roles with Shell in both Canada and abroad, where he drove transformational change across major infrastructure and manufacturing operations, including the Shell Scotford Complex in Alberta. Prior to his career at Shell, Schauerte spent nine years serving in the Royal Canadian Navy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada.
Schauerte brings a steadfast commitment to safety, community and responsible operation at a pivotal stage in Woodfibre LNG’s construction. Under his leadership, the Woodfibre team is focused on ensuring the project is delivered successfully and that Woodfibre LNG builds a foundation in the Sea to Sky region as a good neighbour and a reliable and trustworthy facility operator.
Andrew Robinson
Hapdii Laxha - Wilp Ni’isyuus ‘
CEO, Nisga’a Lisims Government
Andrew is a member of the Nisga’a Nation, People of the Nass River, 9000 strong. Andrew resides in his home community, the Nisga’a Village of Laxgalts’ap, he is Gisk’aast (Killerwhale tribe) and from the royal house of Ni’isyuus ‘.
Andrew served two decades as Chief Administrative Officer for the Laxgalts’ap Village Government, 1 of 4 united Nisga’a Village Governments that holds the overall authority for the Nisga’a communi ties. In 2022, Andrew served as Executive Industry Relations Manager for Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG). In October 2023, the NLG Executive appointed him to Office of the CEO for the NLG admin istration that oversees 11 departments and 180 employees.
In the Nisga’a Legislature, Andrew sits on both the Executive Committee and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a table bringing a wealth of knowledge, network contacts in all levels of government, and works along side all if there’s hard work to be done.
Andrew’s passion for Nisga’a governance and Nisga’a lands stems from the roots of his forebearers on the Nisga’a Land Committee, the Nisga’a Tribal Council, & predecessors of NLG knowing the im portance of traditional hunting & fishing grounds, cultural beliefs, and Nisga’a Authority over the land
Hope Regimbald
Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations Lead, LNG Canada
Hope’s career reflects her commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous community development and collaboration. Her experience has spanned the country as manager of national campaigns dedicated to addiction awareness, healing, and reconciliation. She has also supported Canada’s largest energy projects specializing in community engagement and influencing organizational inclusion of Indigenous world view. She is currently based in Kitimat as Stakeholder Relations Lead with LNG Canada. An ESG practitioner in energy development; Hope meaningfully delivers agreement implementation, builds strategic partnerships, and incorporates community priorities into project strategy.
Hope walks in two worlds, she deeply understands how to advance reconciliation into action and importantly, is a skilful facilitator on how to respectfully journey together.
An active volunteer, she is a co-founder of the Indigenous Leadership Circle; a hand selected group of Indigenous business leaders mentoring the next generation of Indigenous talent in Canada. She also sits as a Board Director with the United Way Alberta Capital Region.
TBC
Red Cedar
N2N BUSINESS PITCHES
Pitcher
TBD
THURSDAY SPEAKERS
GUEST SPEAKER | Topic: Homegrown Hope: Creating Opportunities through Connection
Lynda Gray
Author of First Nations 101
Ts'msyen Nation
Lynda Gray is a member of the Gisbutwada (Killerwhale) Clan of the Ts'msyen Nation and the community of Lax Kw’alaams on the Northwest Coast of BC. She was born in Prince Rupert but she spent most of her life in East Vancouver until she bought a home in Prince Rupert in 2013 so that she and her children could return home more often to (re)connect to their Nation, family, friends, land, language, and culture. Lynda is the proud mother of two adult children: Northwest Coast artist Phil Gray and professor Dr. Robin Gray. She and her children have learned much about their Ts'msyen culture and community from their participation in the Vancouver-based Lax Xeen Ts'msyen Dance Group, from attending traditional feasts in their home community of Lax Kw'alaams, and from active learning of their ancestral language, Sm’algya̱x. In 2023, they started the Ts’msyen Revolution Fund to provide small grants to help strengthen Ts’msyen culture and language in their home territory. Recent investments include helping youth to create traditional regalia and a scholarship for a graduating student taking Sm’algya̱x classes.
Lynda’s work is grounded in a strong belief in community development, youth empowerment, and culture as therapy. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from UBC, served as the Executive Director of the Urban Native Youth Association for eight years, and serves on community Boards including the Indigenous Cultural Safety Advisory Circle. She focuses much of her time on community development, public education, family genealogy, and learning her ancestral language.
PANEL SESSION 5 | Topic: Mining and Forestry
Panelist
TBD
GUEST SPEAKER | Topic: Reawakening Canada to the Economic Contributions
Ken Coates, PhD
President of Coates Holroyd Consulting
Ken S. Coates is the President of Coates Holroyd Consulting, a research firm working primarily on Indigenous and rural development, Indigenous history and Indigenous rights. Ken is currently a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan and was the Director of the Indigenous Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute. Dr. Coates was raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, and educated at the University of British Columbia (BC and PhD) and the University of Manitoba (MA). He has worked and studied across Canada and around the world, examining the history of Indigenous-newcomer relations, contemporary Indigenous rights and Indigenous economic re-empowerment. Among his publications is Treaty Peoples to Treaty Nations (with Greg Poelzer) with UBC Press. Ken appears regularly on national radio and television and writes regularly about Indigenous commercial and legal rights. He was appointed as a member of the Royal Society of Canada.
PANEL SESSION 6 | Topic: Corridors and International Projects
John Desjarlais
Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network
John Desjarlais is Nehinaw (Cree)-Metis from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. John has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and started his career in 2001 in the mining industry and worked in a variety of roles including E&S, maintenance and reliability engineering management until moving onto executive leadership in economic development and construction. John now serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network as well as Past President of APEGS. John also has extensive regulatory, volunteer, governance, and civil society experience serving on a variety of boards, committees, and other initiatives culminating into several awards over his career recognizing his civil service and servant leadership.
PANEL SESSION 7 | Topic: What else is happening in BC and beyond
Trevor Bruintjes
Fractional Chief AI Officer, Peaks and Valleys AI Strategies
Trevor Bruintjes is a Certified Professional Business Coach turned AI strategist, trainer, and speaker. He leads Peaks and Valleys AI Strategies, helping small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI to save time, improve efficiency, and drive growth. Trevor has delivered more than 50 AI-focused workshops to nearly 1,000 participants across British Columbia in the last year, empowering leaders and teams to understand and use AI confidently and strategically. He also serves as a Fractional Chief AI Officer, guiding organizations through digital transformation with measurable results. Trevor lives in Smithers, BC, where he combines his passion for community development with his love for the outdoors and family life. www.PVAIS.ca
PANEL SESSION 8 | Topic: TBC
Panelist
TBD
