First Nations Lands Advisory Board
Under the Framework Agreement, signatory First Nations established a Lands Advisory Board to assist them in implementing land governance over their reserve lands and resources. Councils of the Signatory Operational First Nations (FNs) determine composition of the LAB. The LAB is currently comprised of 15 elected Directors and the Chairman, serving on staggered terms. Annually, one Director’s position comes up for election from each of three regions. These three regions are British Columbia, Prairie (AB, SK and MB), and Eastern (ON, QC and the Atlantic). The LAB Chairman is elected for a 5-year term; the Directors are elected for three-year terms.
LAB’s primary responsibilities are to:
- Provide strategic direction to the Resource Centre;
- Propose to the Minister such amendments to the Framework Agreement and the federal legislation as it considers necessary or advisable;
- In consultation with First Nations, negotiate a funding method with the Minister
- Perform such other functions or services for a First Nation as are agreed to between the LAB and the First Nation
The LAB Directors also provide the following services:
- Political advocacy to Signatory First Nations
- Framework Agreement presentations to operational, developmental and interested First Nations, Parliament, conferences and other relevant gatherings
- Meetings with provincial and federal governments as well as other organizations and 3rd parties
- Media Interaction
The Lands Advisory Board (LAB) is an elected First Nations organization with the mandate to:
- Conduct policy & planning at the political level;
- Conduct intergovernmental relations/meetings with Canada, Parliament, provincial, regional, and municipal governments, financial institutions, etc., to implement the spirit, intent and meaning of the Framework Agreement;
- Attend conferences and other public gatherings relevant to the promotion and awareness of the Framework Agreement as requested;
- Attend community meetings and/or provide high level political and strategic advice to Chiefs and Council in the development and implementation of land codes;
- Provide advice to First Nations seeking entry into the Framework Agreement, upon request; and
- Conduct political advocacy with signatory First Nations related to the fulfillment of FA responsibilities such as the negotiation of operational funding and Framework Agreement/FNLMA amendments.
Chairman of Lands Advisory Board
Chief Robert Louie
Chief Robert Louie has spent more than 50 years advancing Indigenous self-governance and economic empowerment. As Chief of the Westbank First Nation (WFN) for more than 28 years, he led the negotiation of the landmark Westbank Self-Government Agreement, setting a national precedent. Under his leadership, WFN achieved economic self-sufficiency and sustainable growth. Beyond his community, Chief Louie has served on over 30 corporate boards and is the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, Canada’s largest Indigenous financial institution.
As Chair of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, he has championed land governance and economic development for First Nations across Canada. He has also represented Canada at the World Indigenous Business Forum and advised institutions like UBC and the BC Achievement Foundation.
Honoured as an officer of the Order of Canada, his lifetime of service has inspired a national movement toward Indigenous equity and reconciliation.
Chief Louie has demonstrated bold leadership and created lasting, transformative change.
Directors of British Columbia
Eugene Louie, LAB Elder
Eugene Louie, LAB Elder From Tla’amin First Nation, B.C. Eugene Louie’s ancestral name is pelachiewtwx. He is the LAB Elder and Elder in residence for Vancouver Island University, as well as a faculty member for the Powell River campus. One of his proudest achievements was when the T’la’Amin Nation attained self-government. Elder Louie was Chief when his community entered into the Made- in-BC treaty.
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell, MBA Seabird Island Band
Texwlelexw / Ti’h’ n’a sa’np
Jason Campbell is a proud member of Seabird Island Band from the Peters/Ewen family and an experienced Indigenous executive and land governance leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing First Nations governance, jurisdiction, land management, and economic development.
Jason currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer of Westbank First Nation, providing executive leadership in governance, administration, economic development, and community priorities. He previously served as Executive Director of Seabird Island Band, where he led more than 50 programs and approximately 350 employees and supported significant advances in land governance, economic development, and self-determination.
Jason is in his 9th year with the Lands Advisory Board, serving as a BC Director. His experience with the Board, combined with his executive leadership at the First Nation level, provides a practical understanding of both the opportunities and challenges Nations face in exercising greater jurisdiction and authority over their lands.
Throughout his career, Jason has been directly involved in Land Code implementation, land acquisitions, land-use planning, economic development, local revenue generation, First Nation law development, and governance modernization. He has also supported the development of taxation, education, and child and family jurisdiction, working with First Nations, federal and provincial governments, and Indigenous organizations to advance self-determination.
Jason is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, having previously served as an Assistant Professor in Indigenous business and governance. He serves on the Board of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and has held leadership roles with Stó:lō Community Futures and other Indigenous advisory organizations.
Jason holds an Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership from Simon Fraser University and is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Jason brings both institutional knowledge and current First Nation executive experience to the continued work of strengthening First Nation land governance, jurisdiction, and nation building.
Please use the following email to reach Jason Campbell: jason.campbell@labrc.com
Grand Chief Maureen Chapman
Shxwetelemel-elhot, also known as Grand Chief Maureen Chapman, was born in Clearwater, BC. She spent a number of years in Washington State where she graduated from high school, raised her family, attended community college, and returned to BC in the early 1990’s. Her son, Jesse, and his family reside in southeastern Washington State. After returning to BC, Maureen continued her studies at the University of the Fraser Valley and also began her Council work for Skawahlook First Nation.
Maureen is the hereditary Chief of her Nation and was selected for this responsibility in 1999. Skawahlook First Nation practices a matrilineal system and her successor is being mentored.
Grand Chief Chapman is the President for the Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Government (SXG), which is negotiating a Self Governing Agreement (aka Treaty) with five other First Nations within the Sto:lo Traditional Territory. She also participates on a number of Committees on behalf of the SXG, locally and provincially. Skawahlook First Nation is a member of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), the BC Assembly of First Nations (FNS), and the First Nations Summit (FNS).
Please use the following email to reach Grand Chief Chapman: Maureen.Chapman@labrc.com
Grand Chief Joe Hall
Joe Hall is a Director on the Lands Advisory Board, Chairman of the TEDA Support Society and a Director on the Tale’awtxw Capital Corporation Board.
Highlights of previous affiliations include President of the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs’ Council, Chief of Tzeachten First Nation, President of the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Tribe, Chairman of Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forestry Limited Partnership, Chairman of Centre Creek Management Limited, First Nations Statistical Institute, BC AFN Chief’s Committee on Fiscal Relations, BC AFN Chief’s Committee on Housing, Chairman of the First Nations Finance Authority, Chief Executive Officer for Stó:lō Nation, Chairman of the First Nation Education Steering Committee, Chairman of the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue-Sharing Negotiating Committee, RCMP Commissioner’s Advisory Panel, Chairman of the Seven Generations Environmental Services, Chairman of Shxw kwimel Cha Management Ltd., Chairman of the Tzeachten Finance and Audit Committee, and member of the Chilliwack Official Planning Committee.
Mr. Hall has lectured at the University of Victoria on taxation, participated on the tax panel at the Union of BC Municipalities in Victoria, presented at Pacific Business & Law Institute on Overlapping Claims & Shared Territories and assisted the BC Region DIAND Executive Committee with the development of the “Government to Government” handbook. Mr. Hall was the First Nations lead negotiator with the Province of BC establishing gaming revenue sharing with BC First Nations
To contact Mr. Hall, please use the following email: Joe.Hall@labrc.com
Gordon Planes
Gordon’s traditional name is Hya quatcha, named after his great-grandfather from Scia-new, the salmon people. A former Chief of the T’Sou-ke Nation for over ten years, Gordon also previously held a position as the Back Country Operations Manager of the West Coast Trail for Parks Canada. He is a Coast Salish carver, artist, traditional singer and a captain of T’Sou-ke traditional dug-out canoes for the last two decades.
Gordon has previously taken a three year assignment in working with his community in bringing back their Northern Straits Sencoten language. Gordon and his wife Marcella presently reside in the village of Siaosun and have 6 children and 6 grandchildren. He is actively working closely with the community in renewable energy, food security, cultural renaissance and Economic Development.
Please use the following email to reach Chief Planes: Gordon.Planes@labrc.com
Elected as a B.C. Director for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board in October 2016.
Leah George-Wilson
Leah is a well-known and respected Indigenous leader and lawyer. She was elected Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation for four terms, becoming the first woman to serve in this position.
Leah is currently a director on the Land Advisory Board, where she has served since 2008 and was the first woman elected to that board. She also serves as a director for other organizations: First Nations Summit, First Nation Health Council, Day Scholar Revitalization Society and BC Lotteries. Leah has a deep understanding of Indigenous governance, Indigenous legal orders, community engagement, reconciliation, and government-to-government work.
An exceptional communicator, Leah has negotiated on behalf of her own community at the federal and provincial levels. Leah is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, where she lives; she takes part in community events and is a knowledge holder.
She has been married for 34 years and has a daughter who is currently a Councillor on the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Council.
Please use the following email to reach Leah George-Wilson: Leah.George-Wilson@labrc.com
Directors of the Prairies
Steven Roy Johnston
(Mistawasis First Nation)
Steven Johnston is a member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak in Treaty 6 Territory and an undergraduate of the College of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan. He currently serves as Director of Operations for Peter Chapman Band and as a Director of the Lands Advisory Board.
Peter Chapman Band remains amalgamated with James Smith Cree Nation and is advancing through the de-amalgamation process toward becoming its own distinct Band. Steven is honoured to support Peter Chapman during this important period of governance development, organizational readiness, and Nation-building.
Steven previously served as a Councillor for Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and as a Director of the First Nations Finance Authority. His background also includes six years as Chief Financial Officer for Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, five years as a Director with AFOA Saskatchewan, and extensive experience in Co-Management and Third-Party Management with First Nations in Central Saskatchewan.
He continues to bring this governance, financial, and operational experience to his work with the Lands Advisory Board and to supporting strong First Nations institutions and community autonomy.
Please use the following email to reach Steven Roy Johnston: Steven.Johnston@labrc.com
Austin Bear
Retired Chief Austin Bear served as the Chief of the Muskoday First Nation, located in Saskatchewan, for 14 consecutive terms, and some 30 years when he retired in 2019. He is known as a ground-breaking leader on addictions services, and land management. Austin Bear served as the President/Chair of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (NNAPF) from 2000 to 2026, and Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, a division of NNAPF which works at the national level to strengthen support and promote excellence in the First Nations mental wellness and substance use and addictions in Canada.
Austin’s accomplishments are numerous, and he demonstrates leadership in the field of addictions, in the community, provincially, nationally, and internationally. His involvement with the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) began when he held the position of Coordinator/ Community Worker for the Muskoday First Nation. In the five years of service to NNADAP, he developed alcohol and substance abuse prevention programming for the community.
Austin has enjoyed many years of sobriety and is a Certified Addictions Counsellor. He is known for his leadership most especially because he is a respectful listener and believes in First Nations people. He is well known for his kindness and respect for First Nations people, as he would extend what he had to those less fortunate; he would offer his time to support family wellness throughout his tenure as a Chief. Austin’s long-standing and tireless work to build and sustain partnerships, to build relationships with other First Nations, with Indigenous and mainstream communities and organizations, governments, academic institutions and private sector bodies is his strongest and most effective contribution to First Nations.
Austin Bear was a recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).
Please use the following email to reach Austin Bear: Austin.Bear@labrc.com
Councillor Frank Royal
Councillor Frank Royal, Whitecap Dakota First Nation
(Full bio to follow)
Please use the following email to reach Councillor Royal: Frank.Royal@labrc.com
Elected as a Prairie Region Director for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board at the 2022 LAB AGM.
Chief Gordon Bluesky
Gordon BlueSky proudly serves as Chief of his home community of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (BON), located 45 minutes North of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was first elected in 2022 and re-elected by acclamation in 2024.
Chief BlueSky is focused on making life better for the people of BON, using his wealth of experience in lands governance, resource management, and government-to-government negotiations. He draws from his personal experiences as a survivor of the 60s Scoop who returned from the United States to rediscover his heritage and become a leader in his community.
His early career saw him dedicate nearly two decades to working with BON, Fox Lake Cree Nation, and the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba, where he focused on land claims, reserve creation, and protecting land, environment, and resources. His early involvement with the former Kapyong Barracks land claim that BON initiated in the early 2000s led to him taking on the role of Director of Lands for the Treaty One Development Corporation (T1DC). In that role, he successfully led negotiations to finalize the “Gaawijijigemangit Agreement,” which is a Municipal Development Services Agreement with the City of Winnipeg that secures essential infrastructural services for what it now the Naawi-Oodena Treaty One Joint Reserve. This work and more has earned him recognition from the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association for excellence in Lands Management, as well as an honourable mention by the Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award for helping to create the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective.
Today, as Chief of BON, he continues to stand up for his Nation. He is a leading advocate for the protection of Lake Winnipeg, the South basin of which is part of the traditional territory of BON and other Treaty 1 Nations. He is also focused on making his community safer for BON members, including getting the provincial government to enact important new changes to Highway 59 following tragic motor vehicle accidents, including a long called for reductions in speed limits, an additional controlled intersection, and a redesign of the bridge over the Brokenhead River. He also continues to use his voice to right historical wrongs, challenging Manitoba Hydro’s history of power generation development along the Winnipeg River System, which has never properly addressed the many impacts on First Nations communities, including BON.
Beyond his role as Chief, he regularly acts as Treaty 1 spokesperson on critical public issues, advocating for the rights and interests of Treaty 1 Nations. He has recently been elected as a Board Member of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, where he will help support First Nations communities in regaining control over their lands, natural resources, and environment. As Chair of the Southeast Development Corporation, he oversees a wide range of programming and services for Indigenous people, including health services, housing and advisory services, social supports, employment and training, and student services.
Growing up as the only brother among sisters, he has a deep respect for Ikwewag (women) and their roles as life givers. He is a devoted family man, living with his supportive wife and their three daughters.
Under Chief BlueSky’s leadership, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation continues to move towards a sustainable and prosperous future, always grounded in respect for heritage and community-driven decision-making.
It’s his honor and privilege to serve his people.
Please use the following email to reach Chief Bluesky: Gordon.Bluesky@labrc.com.
Elected as a Prairie (Manitoba) Region Director for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board at the 2024 LAB AGM.
Directors of Eastern Region
Chief Gerry Duquette Jr.
Gerry is from Dokis First Nation, located on the beautiful Upper French River. He graduated from the Native Land Management Program at Cambrian College and began working for Dokis First Nation in 2003 as the Land Code Coordinator.
In 2006, he joined the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA) as the bilingual (French & English) Resource Officer and the Quebec/Labrador First Nations Coordinator. Gerry returned home to Dokis First Nation in 2010 where he accepted the position of Consultation Coordinator. Since 2010, he led the passing of the Dokis Land Code, was the Ratification Officer for the Okikendawt Hydro Project and the Okikendawt Hydro Trust, was a Certified Verifier for First Nation Land Management under the Framework Agreement and is frequently sought after as a resource by other First Nations to support them throughout their Land Code journey. Gerry is currently serving his third term as Chief of his community.
James Cada
Mr. Cada has over 20 years’ experience as Director of Operations (Band Manager/Administrator) for Mississauga First Nation in Ontario. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Governance and Administration through the First Nations Technical Institute/Ryerson University.
Mr. Cada served as an Implementation Committee Member of the Northern Boundary Settlement Agreement, and Negotiation Team member for the HWY/ILA and Flooded Lands Negotiations. He was instrumental in coordinating the development and approval process of the Mississauga First Nation Land Code, Individual Agreement, Individual Agreement Amendment adding the Northern Boundary Lands (40,000 acres) and a draft Land Use Plan. For Mississauga First Nation Mr. Cada has also worked in various capacities on the project management of 2 subdivisions, the administration of the Health Complex, Water Treatment and Filtration Plant, Seniors Complex (6 apartments), Family and Youth Building, Renovation of Education Building, Sports Complex and Ball Field.
Philip Goulais
In February 2007, Philip developed his own Advisory & Contract Services, which he operates from his home on Nipissing First Nation. From August 2003 to 2006 Philip was the Chief of Nipissing First Nation.
Philip served eight years as the Indian Commissioner of Ontario from February 1992 to March 2000, and was Grand Chief of Robinson-Huron Territory from 1982 to 1988. Philip served as Chief of Nipissing First Nation from 1978 to 1992.
One of Philip’s major accomplishments was the 1994 Mississauga First Nation Land Claim Settlement Agreement.
Philip is a member of several boards and committees, including Director to the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, Advisor to Nipissing First Nation’s Nursing Home Project, and Advisor to the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians).
Please use the following email to reach Phillip Goulais: Phil.Goulais@labrc.com
Councillor William McCue
Mr. William (Bill) McCue was Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation from 1993 until March 31, 2005. He retired from that position and is currently a Councillor for the First Nation.
Mr. McCue was previously Chairman of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council as well as being Southeast Regional Chief for the Union of Ontario Indians. He also served as the Ontario representative on ITAB from 1997 to 2007.
He is presently a Director for, and sits on the Finance Committee of, the First Nations Lands Advisory Board. He is a tireless advocate for the continued support of economic self‐sufficiency for First Nations. Mr. McCue is currently a Commissioner for the First Nations Tax Commission, to which he was appointed in 2007.
Please use the following email to reach Councillor William McCue: William.McCue@labrc.com
Chief Kelly LaRocca
Kelly LaRocca, proudly serves as the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, located near the town of Port Perry, Ontario.
Kelly’s educational achievements include an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Kelly also spent time on the west coast, studying Aboriginal law at the University of Victoria, after having practiced as a civil litigation lawyer in the City of Toronto.
Upon returning to Scugog First Nation in 2008, Kelly built her capacity as a Council member and was later elected as Chief in 2013. Chief LaRocca and the MSIFN Council led the negotiation of the commercial gaming and revenue share agreements for the Great Blue Heron Casino, which is owned and operated on the territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These commercial agreements have enabled the community to weather the COVID19 pandemic, and the First Nation looks forward to the completion of its many capital projects that are ongoing. Most recently, a hotel was added to the footprint of the Great Blue Heron Casino, which is the first and only hotel in Scugog Township.
Kelly proudly served as the Portfolio Chief Representative during the claim negotiations arising from the 1923 Williams Treaties, which came to a final settlement in 2018 and is one of the largest treaty settlements in Canadian claims history. Serving under the Chiefs of the Williams Treaties First Nations and the negotiation team was one of the highlights of Kelly’s tenure as Chief.
In 2019, Kelly and the MSIFN Council very proudly established the MSIFN Community Legacy Trust, which ensures that the Treaty Settlement Monies from the Williams Treaties Final Settlement will be put to the use and benefit of the MSIFN community and for future generations.
Like so many First Nations across Canada, MSIFN has been on a permanent Drinking Water Advisory since 2008. Chief LaRocca and the MSIFN Council is extremely proud that MSIFN is nearing completion of their community Water Treatment project, which will soon bring clean drinking water to the people of Scugog First Nation. In 2021, MSIFN commenced its wastewater expansion project for the benefit of community homes and other public infrastructure development.
Upon a Council recommendation to the MSIFN community, the First Nation approved the start-up of the Noozhoo NokiiyanLimited Partnership (NNLP) to manage the community’s economic development opportunities. All business conducted through the NNLP will serve to reinvest into the community. Kelly is an ex officio Director of the Board for NNLP, and she looks forward to promising contributions of NNLP to the benefit to the MSIFN.
MSIFN recently underwent a successful community-based review and update to its Land Code. With 20+ years having self-governance of MSIFN territorial lands through the scope of First Nations Lands Management, MSIFN has endured great success, and the community is well on its way to achieving self-sustainability. MSIFN is also seeking to pass a Custom Election Code. While proving one of its most challenging projects as a community, MSIFN believes that adopting its own customary elections process is the best way forward for greater consistency and strength in governance outside of the Indian Act. The MSIFN community continues in its process under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) and passed its Financial Administration Law in 2019. The FMA financial certification process is well underway.
Kelly is an elected Director for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management and is honoured to be able to assist any community she can to move their lands management processes forward.
While much success has come to MSIFN in its vision as a community, this is as a result of brave decision-making of past and present leadership, the hard work of skilled employees, and most importantly, the collective wisdom of the people of MSIFN. Kelly is elated that she had her daughter Ruby and her son Eli during her tenure as Chief, and the children were with her throughout the gaming negotiations and Williams Treaties final settlement. Kelly lives with her amazingly supportive partner Jonathan and their two children in Scugog First Nation. It continues to be Kelly’s honour and privilege to serve her people.
Elected as an Eastern Director for the First Nations Lands Advisory Board in October 2016