February 27, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calgary, AB – The Indigenous Resource Network is excited to announce three new board members adding depth to the organization’s capacity, including new areas across Canada such as Eastern and Central Canada and Canada’s northern communities. The additions also add further depth within all resource development sectors.
“IRN is a national organization with board representation from across Canada. It is extremely important to us to have members, supporters, and board members from across Canada.” said IRN Board Chairman Shawn McDonald.
Our New Board Members:
- Michael Fox - Michaelis the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. Michael is originally from Weenusk First Nation.
- Tracy Buffalo - Tracy is Cree and Saulteaux from the Day Star First Nation in Saskatchewan. Her education is a combination of attending university and being mentored by strong Indigenous leaders, this has instilled many values and beliefs into who she is professionally. Tracy’s passion lies in Indigenous Relations and Governance, where she has dedicated her career to fostering meaningful collaborations between Indigenous communities and the broader society.
- Miles Jolliffe - (MBA,P.Eng) is a Professional Consultant whose work focuses on advancing the economic participation (and regulatory reporting) of Indigenous communities in major resource developments and infrastructure projects across Western Canada. With over 20 years of experience in establishing and implementing comprehensive impact benefit agreements between project proponents and affected Indigenous communities in the energy sector. Miles is a proud Inuvialuk, with deep family connections to Tuktoyaktuk and the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Sea in Canada’s Western Arctic. He currently lives in Calgary, Alberta (Treaty 7, Metis Region 3) with his young family.
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Media Inquiries:
Zachary Authier
Communications Coordinator
(250) 327-1388
Michael Fox:
Michael is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development and has an MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise.
He is a Certified Business Consultant, a Certified Professional Facilitator, a certified Change Management Practitioner, and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. He is the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Committee for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada and is the Co-Chair of the Jury Panel for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations program, where he was a board member for 6 years. He believes in higher education and has taught university courses to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. He's originally from Weenusk First Nation.
Miles Jolliffe:
Miles Jolliffe (MBA,P.Eng) is a Professional Consultant whose work focuses on advancing the economic participation (and regulatory reporting) of Indigenous communities in major resource developments and infrastructure projects across Western Canada. With over 20 years of experience in establishing and implementing comprehensive impact benefit agreements between project proponents and affected Indigenous communities in the energy sector. Particularly, Miles is deeply passionate about advancing Indigenous equity ownership as a means of achieving Indigenous self-determination / sovereignty.
“Advancing responsible development to achieve Indigenous own-source revenue has been the primary focus of my career, its incredibly challenging and rewarding work. I love it. Tremendous opportunity exists for Indigenous communities in the resource and infrastructure sectors, my role is to help make those opportunities a reality.”
He a proud Inuvialuk, with deep family connections to Tuktoyaktuk and the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Sea in Canada’s Western Arctic. He currently lives in Calgary, Alberta (Treaty 7, Metis Region 3) with his young family.
Tracy Buffalo:
Tracy is Cree and Saulteaux from the Day Star First Nation in Saskatchewan. Her education is a combination of attending university and being mentored by strong Indigenous leaders, this has instilled many values and beliefs into who she is professionally.
Tracy’s passion lies in Indigenous Relations and Governance, where she has dedicated her career to fostering meaningful collaborations between Indigenous communities and the broader society. Her extensive experience includes significant roles with leading innovators in Indigenous Governance, where she has seamlessly integrated culture, an understanding of practises and rights into initiatives aimed at enhancing Indigenous Participation in Resource Development.
Throughout her professional journey, Tracy has acquired a diverse skill set in the Natural Resources sector. Her roles have been instrumental in refining her abilities, and she has been fortunate to be mentored by esteemed individuals who have imparted valuable insights into Treaties, Aboriginal and Inherent Rights. Tracy consistently upholds these principles, ensuring they remain at the forefront of all her endeavours.