Board of Directors

Chair

Donald E. Worme, K.C., IPC

Kawacatoose First Nation, Saskatchewan

Donald Worme is a Cree lawyer from the Kawacatoose First Nation, Treaty 4, who practices extensively in criminal law and Indigenous rights litigation. Growing up, he received teachings of Cree philosophies, traditions, and spirituality from his grandfather, including the history of Treaty 4. With a view to making things better for First Nation people, he received his Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University of Saskatchewan and his legal practice has been focused primarily on promoting and protecting both the collective and individual rights of Indigenous people in numerous legal and public forums. Mr. Worme is a founding member of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada. In 2009, Donald was appointed Chief Counsel for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with its mandate to spread awareness of the social impact of Residential Schools across Canada. He was one of the University of Saskatchewan’s 100 Alumni of Influence in 2008 and received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2010 for his outstanding achievement in the field of law and justice.

Vice Chair

Jean Teillet, IPC, OMN, MSC, (BFA, LLB, LLM)

Métis, Manitoba

Ms. Teillet is an author, women’s rights advocate, and Indigenous rights lawyer. In October of 2022 she wrote a report on Indigenous Identity Fraud. She has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada twelve times in Indigenous rights cases. Ms. Teillet’s popular history, The North-West is Our Mother: The Story of Louis Riel’s People, the Métis Nation was one of the Globe & Mail’s top 100 books of 2019 and won the Carol Shield’s and Manitoba Day awards. She is the author of Métis Law in Canada and has written for academic journals, the Globe & Mail and Macleans. A frequent public speaker throughout Canada and internationally, Jean has been awarded the highest honour of her people, the Order of the Métis Nation. The Indigenous Bar Association has awarded Jean it’s highest honour, Indigenous Peoples Counsel. She has three honorary doctorates (University of Guelph, Windsor University and Law Society of Ontario). In recognition of decades of work with midwives, Jean has been made an honorary lifetime member of the Association of Ontario Midwives. She is a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and is the great grandniece of Louis Riel.

Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald

Stó:lō Nation, British Columbia

Jo-ann Archibald Q’um Q’um Xiiem, is Professor Emeritus of Educational Studies in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC).  She is also the former Associate Dean for Indigenous Education and former Director of the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP) and the First Nations House of Learning at UBC.  A visionary scholar and agent of change, Archibald has contributed substantially to advancing Indigenous education and research at all levels, provincially and nationally. She has mentored many Indigenous university students and has authored several publications. Her numerous honours include a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Education in 2000, four honorary degrees, university alumni awards, and an American Educational Research Association Teaching and Teacher Education Legacy Award.  In 2018, she became an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Darrell Beaulieu

Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Northwest Territories

Darrell Beaulieu was born and raised in Yellowknife and has served three terms as the Chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, whose traditional territory surrounds the capital area. Before his current role as President and CEO of Denendeh Investments Inc., Mr. Beaulieu was the founding President of Deton’Cho Corporation and Deton’Cho Diamonds and has served on the boards of directors of both the Mine Training Society and NWT Chamber of Mines. At present, Darrell is also on the Board of Directors of the Northwest Territories Law Foundation and Northland Utilities (Yellowknife and NWT), and was appointed the Chair of the Northwest Territories Business Development Corporation by the Government of the Northwest Territories in 2005. He also serves as Chairman of the Akaitcho Business Development Corporation.

James Dekker

Vancouver, British Columbia

James Dekker is an accomplished Human Resources professional, recognized for his expertise in leading complex transformation and organizational change initiatives with a deep background in advisory and consultancy, employee relations, talent management, total rewards, leadership development, organizational design and program management. With his professional background in Human Resources, Mr. Dekker is interested in the ways in which the private sector are incorporating reconciliation objectives into their business planning processes and has been responsible for leading new innovations in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Dekker is a globally focused business and human resources professional and has received several awards and accolades, including the 2010 Public Service Award of Excellence, the 2017 Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability by Corporate Knights, and the 2021 HR Reporter’s Young Influencer’s Award. James is currently an HR Business Partner with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Mr. Dekker has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and holds his Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation through the BC Human Resources Management Association. Mr. Dekker is an off-reserve member of the Minigoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation) from Treaty 4, and currently resides in Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh territory (Vancouver, BC).

Fauna Kingdon

Métis/Ojibwe, Manitoba

Fauna Kingdon is Métis/Ojibwe, raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut and now residing in Winnipeg, MB. Ms. Kingdon is a self-employed consultant working mainly with Indigenous governments and organizations. As well as being on the Indspire Board of Directors, Ms. Kingdon is also the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for the Canada Games Council.

Ms. Kingdon has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hon.) degree from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Professional Accounting degree from the University of Saskatchewan and received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2009 – the only Indigenous graduate in her class. Ms. Kingdon has also obtained Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) and Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designations from AFOA Canada.

In addition to receiving an Indspire Award in the youth category, Ms. Kingdon has received the James W. Clarke Award and the Great West Life Leadership Award from the Manitoba Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Queen’s Jubilee Medal and a Canada Day Youth Award, and has been named both a National Métis Youth Model and a National Aboriginal Youth Role Model. Ms. Kingdon was also awarded the Manitoba YMCA/YWCA Young Woman of Distinction.

Jean La Rose

President/CEO, Dadan Sivunivut Inc.

Jean La Rose is a First Nations citizen from the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak in Québec. He was honoured with a traditional name by a respected Elder in Manitoba, Fred Kelly. The name Animiki was given to him as representing the spirit that drives him forward. Animiki is Thunderbird in the English language.

He grew up in Ottawa where he studied Journalism at Algonquin College and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication at the Université St. Paul. He has worked for a variety of federal government departments such as Secretary of State (now Canadian Heritage), Treasury Board, Health Canada, External Affairs (now Global Affairs) and a few others. He joined the Assembly of First Nations in 1994 and served three National Chiefs (Ovide Mercredi, Phil Fontaine and Matthew Coon Come) until 2002.

He was the Chief Executive Officer of APTN, the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world, with programming by, for and about Indigenous Peoples from 2002 to 2019. He is now the President/CEO of Dadan Sivunivut, the parent company of Nagamo Music Publishing, AnimikiSee Digital Productions, AnimikiSee Distribution, First Peoples Radio, Red Music Rising and All Nations Network, all companies set up by APTN during his 17-year tenure at the network.

He serves on a variety of boards, such as Indspire, Indigenous Screen Office, ‘Namgis Business Development Corporation, La Cité Collégiale in Ottawa and others. His focus is on developing opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Canada that will allow the communities to achieve the full economic potential they have been denied since colonization.

Yvan Guy Larocque

Métis, Manitoba

Yvan Guy Larocque is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation from Sainte-Anne, MB. Mr. Larocque is the Founder of Larocque Business Law Corporation, an Indigenous business law firm with offices in Vancouver, BC and Winnipeg, MB. Mr. Larocque is called to the bar in the province of British Columbia and Manitoba and practices in the fields of Indigenous Economic Development and Governance. He is also an Instructor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, where he teaches corporate and commercial law, as well as acting as a supervising lawyer in the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic. He has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Petty Officer 1st Class) since 2002 and has served in both the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force (in the Regular and Reserve forces). Mr. Larocque earned a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Manitoba, a Juris Doctor (JD) from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, a Master of Laws (LLM) from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and is an alumnus of the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan.

Peter J. Lukasiewicz

Toronto, Ontario

Peter Lukasiewicz is a senior commercial litigator who counsels and represents significant domestic and global clients in complex commercial disputes. He has been repeatedly recognized as one of Canada’s leading commercial litigators by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Best Lawyers in Canada.

From 2016 to 2021 Peter served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, the Canadian arm of Gowling WLG, and was co-chair of Gowling WLG’s international board. As CEO Peter led the strengthening of the firm’s practices domestically, emphasized associate advancement and inclusion and prioritized mental health and DEI.

As the firm’s past CEO, Peter continues to play an instrumental role in supporting the firm’s development by mentoring young advocates, fostering client relationships, cultivating new leaders and supporting strategic initiatives.

Prior to becoming CEO, Peter served on the firm’s national leadership team as the Managing Partner – Clients, with primary responsibility for advancing the firm’s relationships with its clients. Before joining the firm’s national leadership team, he served as the Managing Partner of the Toronto office for 15 years, having previously served as Head of the Advocacy Department in Toronto.

In addition to serving on the Board of Indspire, Peter has served on the Board and as President of The Advocates’ Society, Canada’s premier organization for advocates, and on the Board and as Chair of the Board of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Gordon Peeling

Ottawa, ON

Gordon Peeling has more than 45 years of experience in the public and private sectors in mining policy and natural resource development. He retired from the Mining Association of Canada in 2011 after serving as President and CEO for over a decade and continues to remain active as an advisor and consultant. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Queen’s University and a Master’s (Geology) and Bachelor’s (Economics) degrees from Carleton University. He is a recipient of both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the CIM’s Syncrude Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development.

Madeleine Redfern

Madeleine is a proud Indigenous woman from Iqaluit, Nunavut, with extensive governance and volunteer experience within Indigenous and Inuit organizations.  After graduating from Akitsiraq Law School, with an LLB from the University of Victoria, she was the first Inuk to be given a Supreme Court of Canada clerkship.

Madeleine is a businessperson and social advocate for transformative technologies within the telecommunications, transportation and energy sectors. She has held presidency positions at Ajungi Consulting Group and Nuvujaq Society. She is also a board member with the Trudeau Foundation and Arctic Internet Exchange Point.

One of her most challenging and valued roles was as executive director of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission, a commission that reviewed the effects of federal government policies on Eastern Arctic Inuit between the 1950s and 1980s.

Madeleine’s advocacy, professional, and governance work reflects her passionate commitment to the development and delivery of programs that reflect the values, needs, and priorities of Aboriginal, Inuit, northerners and Canadians.

William Shead

Peguis First Nation, Manitoba

William (Bill) Shead is a member of the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. A graduate of Dalhousie University and the Canadian Forces Staff College, Lieutenant-Commander (Ret’d) Bill Shead, CD served 36 years in the Canadian Navy. In 1975, he was seconded to head the Office of Native Employment to increase the participation of Indigenous people in the Public Service of Canada. Mr. Shead later served as Mayor of Selkirk, Manitoba from 1980 to 1983; Prairie Regional Director General for Veterans Affairs from 1986 to 1992; and Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Shead is currently the Chair of Neeginan Centre (formerly the Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg), Vice-Chair of the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development and Co-Chair of a committee to erect a monument on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly commemorating First Nations’ role in the development of the province of Manitoba.

Paul Tsaparis

Toronto, ON

Paul Tsaparis is retired from a distinguished career in operational leadership with Hewlett-Packard, where in his most recent role as Vice-President of Technology Support, Americas. Previous to that role Paul was President and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Canada for 12 years. He is Past Chair of the Information Technology Association of Canada Board of Governors, and a current board member of Teranet Inc., Ontario Health, Metrolinx  and past board member of Humber River Hospital, and Greenwood College School.  Mr. Tsaparis, is the Chair of the Board of Governors of York University, a member of the WPO/YPO and Dean’s Advisory Council of the Schulich School of Business at York University, where he was honoured in 2004 with an alumni award and in 2013 as their ‘Executive-in-Residence’. He holds an MBA from York University and an undergraduate degree in science and economics from the University of Toronto. Mr. Tsaparis was one of 100 people recognized in the University of Toronto’s 175th Anniversary ‘Great Minds for a Great Future’ Campaign, is a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Elizabeth Zarpa

Inuit, Labrador

Elizabeth is Inuit from Nunatsiavut, Labrador. She received the National Inuit Youth Indspire Award in 2013.

She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria, as well as a Bachelor’s in political science and international development from Dalhousie, Master of Arts in political science from Memorial University and a Master of Laws from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie. Her Master of Laws thesis focuses on the revitalization of Indigenous law and the application of those laws to modern treaties. More specifically, her thesis focuses on Inuit legal orders and its application to the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

At the University of Victoria’s Law Clinic, she worked with clients in the areas of human rights and family law. She engaged in revitalizing Indigenous legal orders through stories with the Indigenous Law Research Unit at the University of Victoria and with Coast Salish First Nations at West Coast Environmental Law in Vancouver.

Elizabeth is called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar where she represented predominantly Indigenous clients on criminal, family, Aboriginal law, Indigenous governance and human rights matters.  In recent years, she was counsel representing Inuit at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She was in-house counsel for the Nunatsiavut Government, and she is currently in private practice in St. John’s, NL as an Associate Lawyer.