Chief Darcy Dixon is currently serving his eighth term as Chief of the Bearspaw First Nation. He first became Chief in 1998 and served five terms of two years until 2008. He is currently in his second three- year term for the Bearspaw First Nation and Stoney Nation. Previously, Darcy served one term as Councilor before deciding to run for Chief.

Darcy grew up on the Eden Valley Reserve and attended the Longview School; he then graduated from Ponoka High School. Darcy’s Post-Secondary Education was at Mount Royal College (now University) where he earned a Diploma in Social Work. He then went on to act as the Director of Stoney Social Services before entering Politics. He has held many jobs, both for the Nation and with employers off the Reserve.

Darcy serves on many boards on behalf of the Nation and Stoney Tribe, as well as in Treaty 7 and the Alberta region. He was also heavily involved as a panel member in negotiating First Nation Casino Gaming in Alberta.

Darcy is married to Kathy, and has four children and six grandchildren.
Darcy continues to be heavily involved in economic development and community development for the Bearspaw Band and the Stoney Tribe since taking office. He has played a leading role in the construction and operation of the Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino, Bearspaw Service Centre (Centex and Subway Franchise), Eden Valley Gas Bar, Bearspaw Equestrian Centre and the Bearspaw Youth Centre.

He has also fought to protect Treaty and Aboriginal rights both in the legal arena and in direct discussion with various members and levels of government.

Councillor Ashton Harry
Tl'etinqox Government

Denise Williams

Chief Executive Officer
First Nations Technology Council

At the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty, technological advancement and a rapidly expanding technology and innovation economy, Denise has the privilege of working with Indigenous peoples, governments, academics, technology futurists and social change makers to map an ecosystem that will result in fair and equitable access to the tools and education required to lead digital transformation in the 21st century. Denise leads a theory of change that aims to ensure Indigenous peoples are leading in Canada’s technology and innovation sector and in building new connected economies. Her purpose is to create space for Indigenous peoples to access the knowledge they carry from their ancestors and bring back community, balance and humanity to the design, integration and evolution of digital technologies and online spaces. The legacy of which is meant to advance Truth and Reconciliation both in physical and virtual worlds.

With a passion for contributing and volunteering in initiatives and organizations that influence real change and the advancement of Truth and Reconciliation, Denise proudly serves as a governor with the Urban Native Youth Association, MakeWay, Vancouver Foundation, Hollyhock Learning Institute, Innovate BC and Simon Fraser University as the Chair of university relations, and where she earned her MBA in 2015. Denise is an advisor on innovation to the Governor General of Canada, a member of Status of Women Canada’s Indigenous Women’s Circle, BC’s Indigenous Business and Investment Council, and a mentor with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.

Denise has been awarded Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 in 2018, Motherboards Human of Year in 2017, BC’s Most Influential Women STEM Stars in 2017, and Women in Technology’s Community Champion in 2016.

Gail Whitlow

Founder
Ancestral Voices Healing Centre

Gail’s home is here on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation.
Her mother’s bloodline extends back many generations as a Bear Clan (shaking the rattle) woman of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Her father was Mohawk, Turtle Clan, and she also honours her father’s grandfather who traveled to this land from Ireland and brought with him Celtic roots.
Gail is proud to be Kanienkehaka (Mohawk).
Gail feels the power of this sacred land pulsing through her blood. “Our story here on turtle island is expressed in an oral tradition, passed through generations. The deep history steeped in rich culture. Our ancestors survived many changes and challenges but retain that deep connection to the land and spiritual knowledge.” Gail is a Medicine Woman with original instructions to support all peoples on their journey.
Gail is a mother of 5 children and 15 grandchildren who are connected to their cultural ways and she is proud to see them walk their path. Being born into the bear clan family means a path of healing and medicine and so she walks this path proudly and is delighted that she has created little bears to follow!
Generations have carried a great burden over the past few hundred years. Her Six Nations community struggles with many issues and if there is a way to uplift our hearts and souls, then it is our responsibility to accept the challenge of providing what we can.
Gail is a Traditional Healer, Medicine Knowledge Keeper, Pipe Carrier, and much more. “Together with the heartbeat of ceremony and love, our people can breathe in the essence of unity and peace.”

Ancestral Voices Healing Centre | Founder
Grandmothers Circle the Earth | Co Founder
Sacred Sites Sacred Journeys | Founder
Land of the Dancing Deer | Founder
Grandmothers Voice | Co Founder

https://www.economicclub.ca/events/display/2021-indigenous-connectivity--reconciliation-series-