Calvin Darrell Helin is a member of the Lax
Kw'alaams community of the Tsimshian Nation.
He is Chairman of Orca Real Estate Ventures
Inc., a corporation specializing primarily
in the commercial and residential development
of Aboriginal lands in Canada. He is also
a practising lawyer (Calvin Helin Personal
Law Corporation),
President of the Native Investment and Trade
Association, and Vice President of the National
Aboriginal Business Association.
Mr. Helin has experience managing a law group
in a law firm and as Chair of various high-profile
corporations, national business organizations
and non-profit groups. With substantial experience
in market and business development in a variety
of challenging contexts, Mr. Helin is well-recognized
nationally and internationally for innovative
development of specialized business models.
He has considerable experience in business
and economic policy development and developing
strategic corporate alliances with government
and academia.
Mr. Helin has been recognized professionally
by being chosen as one of the top "40
Under 40" entrepreneurs in British Columbia
by Business in Vancouver, and was also selected
for the prestigious "Top 40 Under 40"
national award (for "super achievers
in business, the professions, academia and
public service"), sponsored by The Financial
Post Magazine and other major Canadian corporations.
In addition to receiving numerous awards
and distinctions,
he has been profiled extensively in various
media
publications.
He has also led international trade missions
to China and New Zealand, and is the author
of several publications relating to law, and
Aboriginal business issues.
Mr. Millbank is a former university lecturer,
flight instructor, commercial fisher, and
has been an active businessperson for many
years. He is the owner and president of Praxis
Technical Group,
Inc., a leading developer of computer-based
training, simulation performance support and
documentation systems in the industrial field
for process industries, such as oil refining,
petrochemical production, mining, smelting,
pulp and paper production, to non-industrial
applications, such as human resource departments,
universities, medical laboratories, labour
relations groups and various levels of government.
Employing approximately 30 engineers, Praxis
Technical Group, Inc. is one of the most dynamic
and innovative, high-tech companies in Canada.
Mr. Millbank has been a Director of NITA since
its inception in 1988.
Darrell K. Beaulieu is President
of Taidene Corporation, located in the Community of Ndilo, near
the City of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.
He was past Director and President of Deton’Cho Corporation since
1990 to 2000 and served as the CEO from 1997 to 2002. He was also
President and Director of the Denendeh Development Corporation
from 1995 - 1997 and served on the Board of Directors of Northland
Utilities Enterprises Limited, Northland Utilities (NWT) Ltd.
And Northland Utilities (Yellowknife) Limited from 1995 - 1998.
Until recently, Mr. Beaulieu was a founding Director and served
as President of Deton’Cho Diamonds Inc., ( an Aboriginal cutting
and Polishing factory established in Ndilo) from 1998 - 2002.
From 1988 to 1997, Mr. Beaulieu served for two years as Councillor
then eight years as one of the two Chiefs of the Yellowknives
Dene First Nation. Prior to 1988, Mr. Beaulieu employed/self employed
in various aspects of mineral exploration in the Northwest Territories.
Since 1996, Mr. Beaulieu is Co-chair of the “Mine Training Committee”
which was initiated by the Honorable Minister Charles Dent; Education,
Culture and Employment, GNWT. He also served on the NWT -Nunavut
Chamber of Mines from 1998 - 2001.
And as of October 1998, Mr. Beaulieu has been appointed as a Director
to the Business Credit Corporation (a Crown corporation responsible
for encouraging business development and growth throughout the
NWT). Mr. Beaulieu has also been appointed to the Northwest Territories
Business Development Corporation since 2001.
Cliff Azak has recently been appointed V.P.
to the Board of NITA. He is Nisga'a, from
northern British Columbia. The Nisga'a is
poised to be the first Aboriginal group in
British Columbia to sign a modern-day treaty.
Mr. Azak is the former President and Business
Planning Officer of the Gwinaha Development
Corporation, the business development sector
of the Gitwinksihlkw community.
Gail Yvonne Sparrow is a successful
businesswoman, entrepreneur, and recognized First Nation's leader
who is a strong advocate of First Nations rights and welfare reform.
Her active interest in the 'Native' cause underscores her commitment
to her people as well as defines her character and priorities.
Ms. Sparrow is a member of the Musqueam Indian Band. She has been
a vocal member of her band for the last 20 years serving in such
positions as band counselor, chairman of both the Recreation Committee
and the Musqueam Fishing Commission, and most recently, in January
1997 – January 3, 2000 was elected chief of her band. In her capacity
as chief, she sat as the ex-officio to all the band's social and
economic committees.
Since 1990, Gail has served as Vice President of Native Investment
and Trade Association (NITA) located in Vancouver, B.C. NITA is
an organization dedicated to the economic integration of First
Nations communities into the mainstream of Canadian and International
Business.
Ms. Sparrow is founder, President, and owner of Native Personnel
Services, Ltd. (NPS), registered private company established in
1987 and located on the Musqueam Indian Reservation. NPS serves
the Native community in providing consulting, office rental, and
secretarial services for employment vocational training, career
planning, and job search techniques.
As stepping-stones to becoming a business owner and Native advocate,
Gail was employed as a project manager for a Native American firm
in California Tribal American Consulting Corporation. In this
position, she developed and administered employment and vocational
training programs to urban Natives. As a Native employment specialist
for Canada Employment and Immigration Centre, she counseled and
interviewed clients.
Driven by her enduring visions for her people, Gail Sparrow is
a woman on a mission- the realization of First Nations Self- reliance
and self-government. She is optimistic about the future that someday
her vision will become a reality.
