Meet Our Board

Kathleen BlueSky is a Cree and Anishinabe Ikwe, mother of 3, and entrepreneur. She comes from the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation. Kathleen is the owner of Seven Feathers Consulting. She holds an MBA from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.

Kathleen has devoted her career as an executive leader to advancing the best interests of First Nations in Manitoba with a commitment to wholistic well-being, economic independence, and self-governance. She is a champion for growing Indigenous economies by building Indigenous entrepreneurs and organizational leaders.

Kathleen has served as CEO for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, working with the Nehetho government in advancing their Aski Pumenikewin (Land Code) and NCN Othasowewin (Constitution). She is co-founder of Wiijii’idiwag Ikwewag (Women Helping Each Other) which secured the first Social Impact Bond in Manitoba in 2019. Kathleen is the Vice-Chair of the First Nations Market Housing Fund, a $300M trust established to support First Nations homeownership through capacity development and credit enhancement.

As the Interim CEO for the Treaty One Development Corporation (T1DC), Kathleen is at the forefront of transforming ideas into realities, charting a path of progress for both the organization and the communities it serves. With an extensive background in finance, strategic planning, and business development, Kathleen takes the lead in providing strategic leadership and direction for T1DC. Her primary focus is on raising capital and fostering the growth of businesses within the organization, all while staying true to the mission of creating a positive and sustainable impact for the Treaty One First Nations.

A member of Serpent River First Nation, Earl Commanda holds over four decades of experience in executive decision-making, policy direction, and strategic planning. His career spans various roles at the national, provincial, regional, and community levels, with a primary focus on advancing Indigenous rights and aspirations. Earl’s track record is characterized by a commitment to teamwork, successful negotiation skills, and a dedication to Indigenous policy development. As Executive Director of the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, Earl led an initiative that brought together 21 Treaty First Nations to achieve Treaty governance over their territory. During his tenure at the Fund, Earl played a pivotal role in marketing the fund to over 100 First Nations, facilitating discussions on capacity development in finance, governance, and housing awareness.

Beyond his professional career, Earl serves as the Chairperson of the Serpent River First Nation Economic Development Corporation Board, overseeing both profit and non-profit ventures for the First Nation. Additionally, he contributes as a volunteer proposal reviewer for the Community Housing Transformation Centre, where he helps assess projects addressing the housing and homelessness needs of Indigenous people.

Michael Rice was born and raised in Kahnawake and is a Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) of the Bear Clan. He is founder and past manager of the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake, the largest Indigenous credit union in North America.

He has worked over 35 years as an access to capital and institutional development specialist in the areas of housing, commercial, developmental business, venture capital and infrastructure financing and is currently self-employed, operating under the name of ATC Innovators.

His housing work over the years has been with the credit union, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Community Infrastructure Branch, Housing as a Business (HaaB), and the Kahnawake Housing Department in initiatives to move First Nations communities to private home ownership.

He currently sits on the Investment Committee of the $150 Million Indigenous Growth Fund and the board of the First Nations Venture Capital Partnership of Quebec. Mr. Rice holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, the University of Western Ontario. He is married with two sons and resides in Kahnawake.

Chief Sidney Peters was first elected as Chief of Glooscap First Nation in 2012. Chief Peters is the seventh child of 14 children of the late Chief Joseph Peters and his wife Doris. Chief Peters has a Technology Diploma in Agricultural Modernization from Truro’s Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

Since his graduation, Chief Peters has worked predominately in Aboriginal housing with various organizations including but not limited to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Native Council of Nova Scotia. In 2006, Chief Peters became CMHC’s Senior Advisor on Aboriginal Housing. In 2008 he moved to The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) as the Manager of Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources.

Throughout his career, Chief Peters has worked closely with not-for-profit groups, band councils, tribal councils, municipalities, and federal and provincial governments. He possesses strong organizational and communication skills, as well as in-depth experience in project management, leadership, team building, motivation and communications.

As Chief of Glooscap First Nation, Chief Peters has focused on accountability, transparency, cultural rejuvenation, economic development and capacity building within his community. Chief Peters and his Council hope to instill a sense of pride in all community members, both on and off reserve. Chief Peters resides in Masstown with his wife Darlene and has two children, Dylan and Joecy.

Errol Wilson is Cree-Ojibway from the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. Currently, a resident of Edmonton, he serves as Manager, Capacity Development at the First Nations Financial Management Board.

He has corporate leadership experience including First Nation clients’ capacity building and sustainable entrepreneur development.

Mr. Wilson has an ICD designation through the Directors Education Program, through the Rotman School of Business, an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Alberta School of Business, and an Agriculture undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba. His lifelong learning also includes certificates in Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials, Indigenous Partnership Development, Public Sector Management, and Advanced Business Counselling.

Mr. Wilson has over 15 years of board governance experience. He currently serves as chair of financial trustees for the Peguis First Nation Surrender Claim Trust. His past board experiences include being a founding director of AKSIS, Edmonton Aboriginal Business and Professional Association, and CANDO, Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers.

Jean Vincent, MSC, FCPA, FCA, CAFM is President and CEO of the Aboriginal Commercial Credit Corporation (SOCCA). The corporation provides commercial financing to Aboriginal start-ups or expanding businesses. Mr. Vincent is also President and CEO of the Aboriginal Savings Corporation of Canada (ABSCAN). The corporation provides Aboriginal people with savings products and loans in the real estate, institutional and commercial sectors.

Jean Vincent was Vice-Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation from 2008 to 2018. He was involved in the creation of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), for which he is currently the Chairman of the Board. He was also a founding member of the Native Financial Officers Association of Canada and Vice-Chair of its Board of Directors. Early in his career, he worked for the National Bank of Canada and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Mr. Vincent has a pilot’s licence and is a member of the Canadian Association of Aircraft Owners and Pilots.

Amy Comegan, an esteemed member of the Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing First Nation in Ontario, is a passionate advocate for the financial success of First Nation communities and organizations. Throughout her career, Amy has made significant contributions in finance and administration within First Nation communities and not-for-profit organizations. Her extensive experience encompasses various sectors, including health, child and family services, and most recently, a Tribal Council providing vital services to nine First Nations in areas such as water and wastewater, infrastructure, education, and economic development.

Amy’s dedication to her field is exemplified by her impressive professional designations, including Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant, and Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager from AFOA Canada. In recognition of her exceptional service to the community, Ms. Comegan was awarded a Fellowship designation by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario in November 2020.

Amy has worked closely with community First Nation leadership and served on the Board of Directors for various First Nation organizations at both national and regional levels. Notably, she has made significant contributions as a Board of Director for organizations such as the First Nations Financial Management Board and the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Ontario.

Walter Schneider stands at the intersection of finance, real estate, not-for-profits, and Indigenous administration and governance. Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the New Relationship Trust (NRT), his career has been marked by roles in both the corporate and Indigenous sectors.

He brings 20+ years of broad experience, perspective, and capability to the Board through education and past roles including as a Vice-President in a global investment bank, a CEO of a shared governance corporation focused on First Nation financial management and the Senior Administrator role at Squamish Nation.

Walter’s professional passion is finance and real estate and bringing critical discourse to colonial influences on First Nations process and participation in various domains including economic development. Walter is a Squamish Nation member and proud to join the corporate leadership team at the First Nations Market Housing Fund to support First Nations well-being and prosperity through innovative housing solutions.

Walter is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant) and holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University – Beedie School of Business, a diploma in Financial Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing and completing the final two course for a diploma in Urban Land Economics – Real Estate Development through Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia.

Natoshia Bastien, a proud member of the Piikani Nation within the Blackfoot Confederacy and Treaty 7 First Nations in Alberta, brings over 25 years of leadership in Indigenous housing, governance, and community development. She is currently President & CEO of Silver Sage Housing Corporation in Regina, Saskatchewan, where she has led innovative, award-winning housing initiatives that expand supply, strengthen governance, and support reconciliation. Throughout her career, Natoshia has worked alongside First Nations across Canada as a consultant, advisor, and executive leader, contributing to housing policy, capital project development, and financial oversight. Her experience includes roles with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Indigenous Services Canada, and the federal Reaching Home initiative. Grounded in her cultural roots and lived experience, Natoshia is committed to advancing self-determination in Indigenous housing and building sustainable, community-led solutions for future generations.