Indigenous Women in Leadership (IWIL) award

About the award

Indigenous women have long held roles of leadership and strength in traditional life. Today, their tenacity and determination continue to serve as a powerful testament to their crucial role in preserving culture and traditions. Nominees are influential leaders and mentors in Indigenous business. These women are deeply engaged in their communities, and their work has significantly contributed to improving the lives of Indigenous people. 

Eligibility Criteria

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE

• Demonstrates a clear and compelling vision for the future and effectively implements strategies to achieve it. 
• Shows strong and decisive leadership with a history of making impactful decisions.  
• Exhibits high ethical standards and integrity in all aspects of leadership and professional conduct. 

COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION

• Effectively builds and maintains relationships with other organizations, communities, and stakeholders to advance common goals. 
• Introduces and implements innovative practices, programs, or initiatives that drive positive change.  

MEASURABLE RESULTS

• Develops creative solutions to address challenges, demonstrating out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Shows clear, measurable achievements and outcomes from their leadership efforts.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Has significantly contributed to the economic well-being of their community. 
• Integrates Indigenous cultural values and practices into their leadership style and organizational operations. 
• Engaged in mentorship and empowerment initiatives and is a role model for Indigenous women and/or youth. 

2025 Nominations Opening Soon.

The award will be presented in Toronto, June 5, 2025.

Candidates are deemed ineligible if they have an existing formal relationship with CCIB (e.g. Board of Directors, CCIB Staff member, Award Sponsor, etc.)

Annette Morgan

Knox Stikine, Annette Morgan, a proud member of the Gitxsan Nation, has dedicated her illustrious 30-year career to advocating for First Nations people and communities.

Her unwavering commitment extends beyond the boundaries of northern BC, encompassing provincial and national levels.

Annette’s remarkable leadership, extensive experience, deep cultural knowledge, and relentless pursuit of education have paved the way for dynamic social development, innovative programs, essential services, and valuable resources for Aboriginal individuals and the communities they belong to.

As the elected President of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres from 2011 to 2018, and currently, Annette has demonstrated progressive leadership that has transformed the landscape of support for Aboriginal communities. Her tenure has been marked by fruitful collaborations with various levels of government, First Nations, and community stakeholders.

Through her extensive network of professional relationships and resources, she has successfully secured new opportunities, forged enduring partnerships, and skillfully negotiated for economic development, financial feasibility, and budgetary sustainability.

Annette’s expertise in analysis, strategic organizational direction, mediation, and negotiation places her at the forefront of financial growth and program implementation. She has been instrumental in fundraising efforts to support and expand existing and future programs, ensuring their continued success.

With an in-depth understanding of the community, region, government, and the people she serves, Annette is not only well-versed in the principles, practices, and standards of social and regulatory programs within the non-profit and community sectors, but she is also acutely aware of the social issues confronting First Nations individuals and communities. Her profound insights into the challenges of homelessness, poverty, and the lack of affordable housing have shaped her advocacy efforts, influencing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these pressing concerns.

Annette’s exceptional team leadership skills have allowed her to assemble a meticulously chosen, multi-disciplinary team. Together, they work tirelessly to find tangible solutions to ongoing housing problems, striving to provide affordable and safe housing, along with related services, to those in need.

Beyond her work at the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre, Annette’s dedication to serving others extends to her role as the deputy Mayor of the Village of Telkwa, where she has served as a councillor since 2014. This additional responsibility reflects her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities.

Throughout her career, Annette has actively participated as a board member in organizations such as the Aboriginal Housing Management, Housing Association, and Homeless Services Association of BC. Additionally, she has held numerous local volunteer positions, enriching the communities of Smithers and Telkwa through her fundraising and service efforts.

Annette Morgan’s remarkable contributions, tireless efforts, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on the lives of First Nations people and communities. Her visionary leadership and compassionate approach continue to inspire positive change and empower those she serves.

Rose Paul

From an early age, Rose Paul’s grandparents instilled within her a lifelong commitment to help her Mi’kmaw community grow and prosper. As CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Bayside Development Corporation, Rose has been the trailblazer for business development, negotiations, and partnerships the business arm of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, that commitment has fueled a vision to maximize future employment and business development for Paqtnkek community members.

Rose and her leadership team worked to develop the first ever tripartite agreement with Provincial and Federal governments and was awarded the multi-million-dollar highway interchange site on Exit 38B and with land that the community was separated from a 1960 breach of agreement. With the completion of Phase One, the development of the Bayside Travel Centre, she is now focused on Phase Two of the highway showcase working towards the construction of a new business centre.

Rose has built a strategy for economic strides and developing Strategic Partnerships, reclaiming spaces at decision and planning tables, and creating partnerships Corporately through Economic Reconciliation. An essential element of the community’s long-term economic vision are strategic partnerships with corporate stakeholders, such as industry leader, first of its kind in North American Everwind Fuels. It is an alliance that Paul says will drive them towards ‘energy sovereignty’ and becoming a net zero contributor in the fight against global warning. She is also building business and sector industry partnerships such the space sector, Maritime Launch Services, Signal Gold in the mining industry and Clearwater Seafood.

Generous with her time, Paul has been a speaker at events across Canada and is a volunteer for roundtables that explore the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. She is a fluent Mi’kmaw Speaker, a strong advocate for her community and a mother of 8 children and 16 grandchildren who have been her strongest motivators.

Shelly Mandeville

Shelly Mandeville is a CEO and co-founder of three companies (In Synch Consulting Inc., Naoka Inc. and Wildrose Contractor Supports) operating in her home territory, as well as Alberta. Born in the Northwest Territories, Shelley inherited her entrepreneurial spirit from her parents and grandfather who inspired her to advocate for equality for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Throughout her career, Shelly has continued to work with Indigenous communities and advance economic development.

In 2016, she participated, via ministerial appointment on the Climate Change Innovation and Technology Engagement Taskforce, by providing recommendations and advice on how Alberta can support climate change technology objectives. She was instrumental in the creation of Aspiring Women in Leadership and Legacy (AWILL), a non-profit organization that serves to promote equality and facilitates the sharing of wisdom among women leaders in Edmonton and across Alberta. Shelly also created a series of over 140 self-guided lessons designed to raise self-awareness in leadership, offered by the organization and sponsored by her company Naoka Inc.

Shelly was recognized in 2015 with the Aboriginal Woman Entrepreneur Award of Distinction by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. She shares her acquired business acumen by serving on various boards, including past Chairwoman for Apeetogosan Métis Development Inc., Vice-Chair for the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, and Chairwoman of Boyle Street Aboriginal Services. Shelly also served as Vice President of the Alberta Chapter of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association and as a board member of Boyle Street Community Services.

As one of very few women to lead a 100% Indigenous-owned company in the oil and gas industry, her tenacity and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Indigenous peoples has impacted the lives of communities, individuals, her employees, and her peers. As a survivor of the Indian Residential School System, Shelly’s story serves as an inspiration to others and the endless possibilities that exist for them. She currently resides outside of Edmonton, Alberta and is the mother of two grown daughters and Kokum to two granddaughters.

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson

A member of Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), Tammy Cook-Searson was raised on the family trapline near Brabant Lake, Northern Saskatchewan. A fluent Cree speaker, Cook-Searson is exceptionally proud of her First Nations heritage, and is a strong advocate of culture and language, maintaining strong ties to the land. Elected LLRIB Councillor at the age of 25, she served three terms before she was elected as the band’s first female Chief in 2005. Cook-Searson is currently serving her sixth consecutive term.

As Chief of LLRIB, Cook-Searson is President of Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, which manages the bands economic development activities. The Kitsaki portfolio is diverse, with investments in insurance, engineering, mining, utility project management, environment, hospitality, transportation, and more. Kitsaki is committed to long-term, sustainable business, and continues to develop opportunities that meet the appropriate profitability, risk and employment criteria.

Cook-Searson serves is Board Director with multiple organizations, including: the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Board, the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, and the Assembly of First Nations. Her role as LLRIB Chief also means she is an active member of the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. As a Canadian Ranger with the 4^th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, she assists with search and rescue operations in the region.

Driven by a collective vision of community, Cook-Searson recently played an instrumental role working with others to lobby for the funding to build a Wellness, Treatment and Recovery Centre in La Ronge. This Centre will provide northerners with timely access to mental health and addictions support services, blending therapeutic treatment with traditional Woodland Cree teachings. This $16.1 million project is currently under construction in La Ronge, with completion slated for October 2021.

Cook-Searson is involved in many cultural events and fundraising activities. She leads a healthy lifestyle and is an active member of her community.  Cook-Searson enjoys spending time with family and friends in the bush and on the lake. She loves berry picking, photography, running, and learning new skills.

Dr. Deborah Saucier

Originally from Saskatoon, Dr. Saucier is a proud Métis who is committed to advancing reconciliation on university campuses and in academia. As the president of Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier is working toward closing the education gap for Indigenous youth so they may achieve their full potential and strengthen their communities. Previously, she served as president of MacEwan University, where she worked to incorporate UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action into institutional decision making. She implemented both policy and physical changes on campus to ensure that Indigenous students saw their heritage reflected in campus spaces.

“A major focus for me as an administrator has been to change the narrative about who goes to university, which helps to move the needle and increase the number of women and Indigenous peoples in leadership positions.” – Dr. Deborah Saucier

Nicole Bourque-Bouchier

A long-time resident of Fort McMurray and a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner of The Bouchier Group.

With full-time operations commencing in 2004, The Bouchier Group has grown to be a leading provider in integrated site services to the Athabasca Oil Sands region, with over 1000 employees. Work divisions encompassing contracting, site services and engineering, Bouchier’s offering ranges from road maintenance, winter drilling and excavation projects, to building and renovating camps, energy remodeling and construction.

Nicole has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations such as the Keyano College Board of Governors and President of the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association. She currently sits on the Alberta Apple Schools Foundation and the Indspire Board of Directors.

Nicole has been honored with numerous accolades including the Ernest & Young’s Oil & Gas Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and accepted the MacEwan University 2016 Allard Chair in Business. In 2018, Nicole was the recipient of the Indspire Award for Business & Commerce.

Roberta L. Jamieson

Roberta Jamieson is a Mohawk woman who has enjoyed a distinguished career of firsts. She was the first First Nation woman in Canada to earn a law degree; the first non-parliamentarian appointed an ex-officio member of a House of Commons Committee; the first woman Ombudsman of Ontario; and the first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, where she continues to reside with her family. An accomplished expert in alternative dispute resolution, Roberta also served as Commissioner of the Indian Commission of Ontario.

Under Roberta’s leadership, Indspire has flourished. Raising funds from government, corporate and private sectors, Indspire’s annual disbursements of bursaries and scholarships to support Indigenous students in post-secondary education have increased sevenfold. An innovative K-12 Indspire Institute was launched providing support to educators and communities working to improve educational outcomes with culturally grounded curriculum and techniques. Roberta is also the Executive Producer of the annual Indspire Achievement Awards.

Roberta, a long time advocate for greater diversity on corporate boards, is a member of Hydro One’s Board of Directors and  a member of Gender Equality Advisory Council for Canada’s G7 Presidency.

She has earned numerous awards, including, most recently, YWCA’s President’s Award and Women’s Executive Network’s “Canada’s Most Powerful Women” Hall of Fame, as well as 25 honorary degrees. In 2015, Ms. Jamieson was recognized by the Public Policy Forum for the outstanding contributions she has made to the quality of public policy and good governance.

She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould

The 2017 CCAB Inaugural Indigenous Women in Leadership (IWIL) Recipient is The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P. Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville. She is a lawyer, advocate, and former Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.

Called to the BC Bar in 2000, Jody Wilson-Raybould began her legal career as a provincial crown prosecutor in Vancouver and later served as an advisor at the BC Treaty Commission. In 2004, she was elected as Commissioner by the Chiefs of the First Nations Summit. Minister Wilson-Raybould was elected Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations in 2009 and re-elected in 2012. After being elected as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville in 2015, Minister Wilson-Raybould was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on November 4, 2015.

Minister Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, who are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw and also known as the Kwak’wala speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation and is married to Dr. Tim Raybould.