Success Showcase: Indigenous Leadership in an Era of Energy Transformation

Jun. 7, 2022 at 9:50 a.m. PDT

A conversation with Chris Sankey (Blackfish Enterprises, Lax Kw'alaams Band member) and Melissa Mbarki (Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Muskowekwan First Nation member) on Indigenous leadership in an era of energy transformation, moderated by Stu McNish with parting comments from Cody Ciona.

Sponsored by the Modern Miracle Network.

Chris Sankey is a Senior Partner at Nation Origination Ventures Group, Principal owner and President at Blackfish Enterprises, and part owner of a heavy civil construction company. He is also a Senior Fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute where he provides advice on Indigenous affairs, research and policy. Chris was also recently appointed to the C2C2C Unity Corridor Foundation Board of Directors. A member of the Coast Tsimshian community of Lax Kw’Alaams, Chris was an Elected Councilor for the Lax Kw’Alaams Band where he implemented the first ever emergency response and marine safety table on the North Coast and helped negotiate the $36 billion-dollar Pacific Northwest LNG agreement.

Melissa Mbarki has spent the last 15 years of her career in various sectors of the oil and gas industry covering the lifecycle of an asset from acquisition to environmental site assessments and reclamation projects. Melissa has taken her expertise in the energy sector and applied it to Indigenous issues happening across Canada. She believes that knowing the land system and ownership is key for any project, and that applying a comprehensive understanding of ownership, rights and governmental policies can help lead Indigenous communities out of poverty. Melissa grew up in an impoverished community under a boil water advisory and credits the natural resources sector for offering a career that has saved her from poverty and violence.

Subtitles available in: English

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