WE USE COOKIES

This website uses a cookie policy to tailor your experience. We utilize cookies so we can improve your time on our website.

Dismiss


Friday, June 7, 2024 

In this session, attendees will get to become more familiar with several relevant, Indigenous-owned businesses. Hear directly from the founders about their groundbreaking organizations and the unique ways they're tackling the opportunities of today's logistics and transportation industry.

Attendees considering supplier diversity will leave with a glimpse at potential Indigenous business partners. 


About the speakers

Cheryl Copage-Gehue

Cheryl Gehue
Director of Indigenous Relations
Clearwater Seafoods

 

Cheryl Gehue is a proud Mi’kmaw women from Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia. On September 11th, Cheryl joined the Clearwater Seafood team as the new Director of Indigenous Relations. Cheryl is the lead for the implementation of the Clearwater’s Indigenous Strategy. Cheryl is also the former Indigenous Advisor of the Halifax Regional Municipality and the city has led the way as a City of Reconciliation. Cheryl worked for the AFN National Office, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs and Nova Scotia Native Women, and has a wealth of experience in engagement & work with Indigenous communities.

 

Zachary McCue

Zachary McCue
Founder & CEO
REPWR

 

Zachary A. McCue, a proud member of Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, Canada, has dedicated his life to advancing Reconciliation through strategic economic and corporate initiatives. As the current CEO of REPWR, Zachary is at the forefront of transforming the intermodal freight industry with innovative power solutions. His journey to REPWR began with foundational roles in his community. As an elected councillor, Zachary focused on economic development, leveraging his expertise to foster growth and opportunity. His leadership extended to chairing the Economic Development Corporation for Curve Lake First Nation, where he was instrumental in forging vital partnerships and exploring new business ventures. His diverse experience includes a significant tenure in the Renewable Energy sector, where Zachary's skills ranged from Project Development and Management to overseeing the First Nations Services Department at a multinational law firm.

Zachary's efforts have been pivotal in assisting numerous communities to establish long-term partnerships and revenue-generating agreements, significantly impacting their economic landscapes. Following his tenure at the law firm, Zachary embarked on a visionary project by founding REPWR. This wholly owned First Nation clean technology company specializes in the design and manufacture of solar-based systems for the intermodal freight industry, specifically ISO Shipping Containers. This ground-breaking technology is revolutionizing the industry by enabling transportation systems—ships, trains, and trucks—to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.


Ken Paul

Ken Paul
Principal/Owner
Pokiok Associates

 

Since 2012, Ken has held the senior positions with First Nations organizations including National Fisheries Director with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Fisheries Director with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs. Ken has advocated for First Nations regionally, nationally and internationally on all aspects relating to fisheries, aquaculture, ocean technology, environmental advocacy, and aquatic resources as they relate to inherent aboriginal and treaty-protected rights, legislation, and policy. Previous to this Ken was a Hydrographer-in-Charge with the Canadian Hydrographic Service followed by his role as a Policy Advisor and Field Unit Superintendent in the Western Arctic with Parks Canada.

Ken is currently working on several national initiatives with Miawpukek Horizon, Oceana, Ocean Supercluster, Ocean Frontier Institute, Ocean Networks Canada, Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium, and the Canada Council for UNESCO. Among his current professional roles, Ken is the principle/owner of Pokiok Associates and serves as the Lead Fisheries Negotiator for the Wolastoqey Nation of New Brunswick (WNNB). Ken is a member of the Wolastoqey Nation at Neqotkuk, located in the community of Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick..

Jacob Taylor

Jacob Taylor
CEO
Indigenous Aerospace

 

Jacob Taylor, of Curve Lake First Nation- Otter Clan, is the CEO of Indigenous Aerospace and is working to ensure that Indigenous Peoples benefit from drone technology and retain the revenues from drone businesses in their communities. Jacob studied Aboriginal Health Policy as an undergraduate, and then First Nation Policy Leadership for his graduate degree; both programs were at Western University. Jacob was awarded Western's Faculty of Health Sciences Young Alumni Award in 2021. Jacob is a PhD candidate at the University of North Dakota in the faculty of Medicine and Health Science studying the impacts of drones on Indigenous Health.