Chief Trevor Makadahay has been Chief of Doig River First Nation since 2015. Since then, Doig River has demonstrated notable successes in governance, leadership, administration, and economic development. In 2017, Doig River was awarded the AFOA Canada Community Award of Excellence in part due to its exceptional financial performance ratios and low dependency on federal program funding and the establishment of their Economic Development Corporation Uujo Developments, a separate entity from the Nation’s administration. Doig River was also awarded for its work with industry and the province to clean up orphan wells in its traditional territory by the Environmental Managers Association of BC, and in 2022, DRFN successfully completed the First Nations Financial Management Board System Certification.

Under Chief Makadahay’s leadership the community has completed its Treaty Land Entitlement Claim and has established the first Urban Reserve in northeast British Columbia. Chief Makadahay is highly regarded as a collaborator with the neighbouring communities of Fort St. John, Dawson Creek the Peace River Regional District, with other government officials and industry partners. Chief Makadahay’s vision is to support a healthy and prosperous community and is committed to working with government and industry to protect treaty rights and the environment while fully participating in the local economy.

In his free time, the Chief is active on the land base, hunting, trapping, and using his cabin with his family and community members.

Puglid (Kory Wilson, BSc. JD) is Kwakwaka’wakw. She is the Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships for British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is also Chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council. Kory is a member of the BC Law Society and practiced criminal defense and family law. She is Chair of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Indigenous Affinity Group. Kory has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education, community development, and legal profession. Good governance and making systemic change are specialties and changing the Criminal Justice system and revitalizing Indigenous Justice are passions. She has served on several boards from Pearson College, BC Women’s Foundation, Genome BC and currently serves on the Downie Wenjack Fund, Future Skills Canada, West Point Grey Academy and the BC Conservation Fund.

A sought-after speaker and strategist on advancing and ‘truth-telling’ about the past and moving forward towards Reconciliation. With a deep commitment to justice and education, both formal and informal, she knows innovative and creative solutions are a must to move Reconciliation into ReconciliACTION. Education and access to knowledge are key to move everyone forward. When people know better, they do better. Diversity is a reality, but inclusion is a choice. Inclusion requires bold and courageous conversations and confidence to ensure systemic change and outside the box solutions. We can and must do better – Canada can and must do better. Together we are stronger.