Board of Directors
Sandy worked towards his education at the University of Lethbridge, NAIT and Gonzaga University. A member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, Sandy is an avid life-long learner and continues on the journey to learn his culture and language.
As the world begins to rethink and recognize Indigenous culture, rights and history, Sandy continues to learn and educate himself and the world around him; liberating Indigenous Peoples and sharing his knowledge and experiences however he can.
His career background originates working with Children and Youth, including communications and Indigenous youth programs coordination, which he earned his education and spent a decade working in. But driven by a feeling of responsibility to document and preserve Indigenous culture for future generations, Nick began his photography journey in 2020 as an artform he had always been passionate about pursuing. After hundreds of hours honing his skills behind the lens, Nick began working full time with Moccasin Media in 2024 and continues to evolve as a visual artist and business owner.
Community involvement has always been a big piece of Nick’s life, with activities such as building community connections and fostering relationships with board positions with organizations like Ihkapaskwa Collective, Big Brothers Big Sisters Wood Buffalo, and the Wood Buffalo 2022 Arctic Winter Games. He is regularly involved with local initiatives such as land-based learning camps with Indigenous youth.
Nick is committed to fostering relationships and working with Indigenous communities and organizations to help amplify their voices as much as possible. In his free time, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and their two children.
She was born and raised in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, and completed her education there. Leona earned her Early Childhood Development Certificate and Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Certificate – and received Personal Achievement awards for both.
Throughout her broad and community-minded career, Leona’s passion has focused on serving others. She has worked with organizations such as Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Chip Child Development. In addition, Leona liaised with CBC Radio Yellowknife for more than 20 years and submitted community reports with local insights while balancing her full-time career. . Leona enjoys beading, sewing and crafts and has created Peyak Mekwan Crafts and More, a local craft supply business.
Erica is passionate about advancing Indigenous reconciliation, equitable opportunities, and education to create lasting impacts within organizations and communities. With education earned in psychology and business administration, Erica dedicates her career to fostering meaningful relationships between Indigenous communities and industry.
Supporting and advocating for people in need has always been important to Erica and is evident through her volunteer work with Wood Buffalo Victim Services. Her commitment to service and collaboration reflects the importance of creating spaces where all voices are valued and heard.
Through her work, Erica aims to bridge gaps, empower Indigenous perspectives, and build a future where businesses and communities grow together in partnership.
With nearly 30 years of experience as a full-time firefighter and primary care paramedic in the oil sands industry, and a decade working as Red Seal heavy equipment technician, Anthony is a respected and trusted presenter on topics such as emergency preparedness and industrial firefighting. Anthony is a proud distributor for many industry-leading supplies and equipment for First Responders and oil sands operators. Emergency Decon Solutions specializes in hazardous materials (Hazmat) management, focusing on decontamination, disinfection, deodorizing, and cleaning.
Having lived throughout the Northwest Territories and Alberta, Anthony is proudly Métis and has called Fort McMurray home for more than 30 years. Anthony is deeply committed to serving his community and the development of young leaders, which is evident through his involvement as an Auxiliary RCMP member and Army Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC).
From his beginnings as a Journeyman millwright and working in the oil sands, Lloyd’s vision and business have vastly grown and A.P.E. Maintenance now employs more than 100 people, with operations supporting the oil sand industry. Their full mechanical maintenance services include millwrights, heavy duty mechanics, machinists, swampers and field support.
Supporting the trades has been an objective for Lloyd from the start, and this mandate continues to drive their operations today. A.P.E. Maintenance was recognition as top employer of Aboriginal apprentices by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board in both 2014 and 2015.
Being community minded is a priority that has seen Lloyd’s leadership skills used with organizations such as the Northern Lights Health Foundation and in various community investment initiatives in Fort Chipewyan and Fort McMurray.
Board of Directors Opportunity
Help Support and Shape the Direction of NAABA – Join the Board of Directors
The Opportunity:
NAABA is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board consists of a minimum of (3) and no more than (9) Member Directors, each holding office for a term of three years.
Qualifications/Eligibility
- Any individual seeking election must be present at the Annual General Meeting
- To qualify as a Member Director a person shall:
- Have attained 18 years of age
- Be a shareholder, director, officer or employee of a Full Member and
- Be a Member Representative
- “Member Representative” is defined as an Aboriginal person who is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of a Full Member and is appointed by that Full Member to represent the Member for all purposes of NAABA including serving on the Board, voting as a proxy or attending meeting.
- “Full Member” is defined as an Aboriginal Business, carrying on its business in the Wood Buffalo Region which meets the qualifications of membership as set out in the NAABA bylaws at Article 6 and has been approved by the Board as a Full Member
Participation Benefits
- Share your knowledge, skills, and experience in business as a way of giving back to the local Indigenous business community.
- Be a driving force in uniting the voices of Indigenous Business in the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Region.
- Level the economic playing field for Indigenous businesses through policy development and implementation
- Contribute to a stronger Indigenous business presence in the region, supporting the capacity building of business, senior leaders, and employees.
- Advocate for reconciliation specifically in the economic activities of our region.
- Leverage your experience, knowledge and connections to grow and strengthen the network of businesses and individuals who support and honor Indigenous business.
Responsibilities
Subject to the provisions of the organization’s bylaws, the Administration, Management, Control of the Affairs, Property, Business and Finds of NAABA are vested in the Board.
Specific responsibilities of individual Board members include the following.
- Participate in and contribute to the decisions of the Board;
- Attend scheduled meetings, workshops, planning sessions and events;
- Be respectful of and actively support the processes and administration of Board meetings;
- Actively listen and bring forward those views and concerns of NAABA Board members and other stakeholders that directly relate to the objectives and goals of NAABA;
- Be familiar with Board policies and procedures, reports and meeting agendas in order to participate fully in Board business;
- Participate in the development and approval of NAABA’s Strategic Plan;
- Provide information to the public that creates a positive profile for NAABA and enables the public to connect with appropriate service areas and resources within NAABA; Communicate NAABA goals, objectives, initiatives, and decisions made by the Board, effectively to internal and external stakeholders with one united Board voice
- Act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of NAABA;
- Keep informed of the work and activities of NAABA and the Board and changes in the environment in which NAABA is operating;
- Understand NAABA’s current strengths and needs by offering constructive advice to address these for both short and long term solutions;
- Monitor and regularly assess NAABA’s performance to ensure that it reflects the vision, mission, values and beliefs of NAABA;
- To participate in Board training to ensure regular education of their roles and responsibilities
- To sit on a least one NAABA Standing Committee during the length of term
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
- A willingness and desire to engage in and participate in regular Board Meetings, Committee Meetings and Governance Discussions
- Governance experience or a desire to learn and understand the role of a Governance Board (Previous Board experience is an asset)
- The ability to collaborate and bring people together
- Problem solving and development of strategic plans to move the mission and vision of the organization forward
- Creativity
- Ability to communicate openly and willingly with staff and fellow Board members
- Experience engaging in the Indigenous Business Community
- Experience working in the Oilsands
- A desire to ask questions and seek out answers/solutions