Aboriginal Capacity Builders Ltd

THE ACB TEAM

GEOFF GREENWELL | President

The CEO of 2G Group has been working globally as a facilitator and strategic planner for over 25 years. Geoff came to Canada in 1992 and since that time has worked extensively for Governments, Aboriginal Groups, NGO's and Private Sector organizations as a business advisor, negotiator and facilitator. He was also a two-term municipal councillor in the District of Lake Country (British Columbia) and chaired the district's affordable housing and economic development committees from 2006 - 2012.

Prior to coming to Canada, Geoff worked for twelve years in the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and South America as a senior negotiator for multinational energy companies.

Geoff formed 2G Group in 2001 and works collaboratively with a team of expert associates who offer a variety of services to government, Aboriginal and corporate clients. The team's areas of expertise include: economic development/business training, facilitation, strategic planning, corporate visioning, marketing, business planning, events management, negotiating and mediation, project management, raising financing and land use planning.

Geoff has accomplished many unique things in his life and is renowned as a true business visionary for his record of success with projects he has led. Geoff specializes in taking projects 'from the drawing board' and bringing them to life. His development of Aboriginal Marketplace magazine and the NABOC conference series are ongoing examples of unique ideas that he has turned into successful business ventures. He is the consummate networker, always looking to connect people and ideas, and his enthusiasm for creating equitable business partnerships between Aboriginal and private sector business groups rubs off on everyone who meets him.

Since the inception of the 2G Group in 2001, Geoff has helped structure numerous joint ventures and partnerships between private sector and Aboriginal groups. The 2G Group offers their services globally and some recent notable clients include:

Shackan Indian Band, Witset First Nation, Neskonlith Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Indigenous Bloom Corp, St’at’imc Government Services, Peace Country Fuels, BFL Canada, Governments of New Brunswick, NWT and Nunavut, Northern Savings and Credit Union, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Lloyd & Partners (UK) PLC, Atla Energy Group, Alterna Energy, Syntaris Power, Nigaani Air of Ontario, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Osoyoos Indian Band, Metlakatla Governing Council, Scuka Enterprises, and Pacific Northwest LNG.

Geoff and the entire 2G team have assisted these clients and many others with their respective goals and helped them make informed decisions and achieve critical milestones within theirorganizations.

Recent Project History

Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut – worked with the community of Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut as a consultant to develop the first large scale, environmentally friendly clam harvesting business in the Canadian Arctic. Developed training programs, a lobbying strategy to raise $2million, created a business plan and a marketing strategy for the community and implemented the plan over a four-year period.

Niigaani Air, Ontario – developed a business plan for an airline in response to a Community Futures RFP calling for the provision of a scheduled air service between several remote communities in northern Ontario to assist their economic development prospects. Facilitated workshops and stakeholders meetings. The plan was chosen by CFDC as the "best option" for the communities.

Northern Savings and Credit Union – worked with NSCU to train their staff about the Indian Act and lending to First Nations communities as well as how to develop a specific First Nations marketing plan.

Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, Ontario – developed a business plan and raised capital to open a chain of gift stores and food outlets in casinos in Ontario as a means of raising revenues for the Friendship Centre.

Endaa-aang Tourism, Ontario – developed a business plan for an eco-tourism development on Manitoulin Island consisting of cabins, tipis, wilderness adventures and cultural offerings. The plan was implemented in phases by the Sucker Creek Band.

Spallumcheen Indian Band – created the business plan for the Quilakwa RV Park and lobbied for funds which were successfully granted by Aboriginal Business Canada. Also developed a marketing strategy for the operation.

Kitkatla First Nation – worked with the community of Kitkatla on the lobbying strategy and acquisition of a decommissioned DFO Marine Base to convert it into an incubator for small businesses in Prince Rupert.

Gitxaala Treaty Society – worked with the table of hereditary chiefs on a variety of economic development projects including the Prince Rupert Port Authority expansion, the Forest and Range Agreement and purchase of a floating eco-tourism lodge.

Westbank First Nation – Developed a restructuring plan for the Sensisyusten community school. Evaluated the Grizzly Wood business plan and offered suggestions to mitigate losses from the operation.

Okanagan Nation Alliance (Tribal Council of the 7 Okanagan Bands) – Created a "Business Development Unit" which was responsible to develop feasibility studies, raise government funding, marketing and communication policies, manage projects and develop reports to funding organizations. Represented the ONA at various business meetings. Organized conferences and events to showcase the nation's economic development potential.

Okanagan Training and Development Council – Organized and facilitated the "Workforce Connects" Aboriginal Human Resource conference in Kelowna. The conference was very well attended and heralded as a huge success by the sponsors – Service Canada, INAC and BCAWS.

2G Holdings Ltd – Chief Operations Officer role in the development of residential sub-divisions and commercial property in First Nations communities across Northern BC (ongoing).

New Sky Insurance – Developed a strategic plan for Jardine Lloyd Thompson to create global partnerships in the insurance industry with Indigenous people (ongoing).

Atla Energy Corporation – Developed the partnership model for the First Nations Energy Partnership between member bands of the Okanagan, Shuswap, Ktunaxa and Colville Nations (ongoing).

Metlakatla and Lax Kw'alaams First Nations – Developed a business model to attract funding to the annual Tsimshian Business Networking Conference.

Osoyoos Indian Band – Developed business strategy to attract government and private sector business to the NK'MIP conference centre.

Robert Louie | Chairman

Robert Louie, LL.B, OC, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow Okanagan College is the former Chief (24 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate development and finance matters and has focused primarily on working for First Nations on land matters throughout Canada. Over the 24-year span as Chief at Westbank First Nation, Robert was President/Director for 20 plus corporations which included construction, forestry, commercial/retail, residential, recreational, and institutional.

Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board (30 years) and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self governance. Robert is also the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, which is the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. Robert is a Founding Director and is a shareholder in the Public Company – Decisive Dividends (DE) on TSX Venture.

Most recently, Robert is a Founding Partner in Indigenous World Finance LLP, a Board Member with Ecora Engineering, and is Chairman of Aboriginal Capacity Builders.

Robert is a former practicing lawyer who specialized in native law and was a summer Law Instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He is also a former Task Group member elected by the Chiefs in BC serving 4 years on the B.C. First Nations Summit Task Group and was actively involved in B.C. Treaty negotiations representing First Nations.

Robert was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada on October 5th, 2006 and on June 1st, 2019, Robert was honored with the recognition of Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College. Some of the other numerous boards and special appointments Robert has been active in include: Indigenous advisor representing Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum, where he networked with other leaders promoting Indigenous economic development and world trade; Board Member with the BC Achievement Foundation and also sat on the Executive Committee; Board of Governor member with UBC; President's Advisory Council member with UBCOkanagan; Board Director on the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; President of First Nations Finance Authority Inc.; Board Director with All Nations Trust Co; one of a nine member Premier's Advisory Council with the Premier of B.C.; Board Director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society.

Robert has been the recipient of many awards and distinguished presentations including: Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business; Distinguished Alumni Business Administration, Okanagan College; Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal; Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership from Aboriginal Financial Officers Association & Xerox Canada; Business Person of the Year, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; President's Award, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; Recipient of Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canada and the B.C. Academic Scholarship Award.

Robert is the owner/proprietor of Indigenous World Winery, Indigenous World Spirits and Kelowna West Manufactured Home Park along with other business endeavours.

David Berry | Vice-President – Finance

David Berry is a finance investment specialist and still is widely regarded as the most successful trader in Canadian History. Over his 10 year career at Scotia Bank trading its largest proprietary book from 1995-2005 Mr Berry increased Scotia’s market share from virtual obscurity to approximately 70%, numbers unprecedented in history in any market and numbers that have never been even closely rivaled since. Mr Berry was also responsible for over 40% of the bottom line P&L for the entire institutional equity department of Scotia Capital during those years earning in excess of $75 million each year for the bank, again numbers unprecedented to that that point and not rivalled since. His unique abilities allowed him to command a compensation package which resulted in him becoming the highest paid employee at ScotiaBank and the highest paid trader in Canada. Since leaving Scotia, Mr Berry has been investing his personal capital and largely takes active roles in his investments. Mr Berry has investments in a broad number of fields including Technology, resources, Real Estate, Medical technology and biotechnology. Mr Berry is founder and lead investor of Terrafarma inc, Thrive cannabis, Alexa translations and is a partner with Mizrahi Developments inc.

Most recently Mr Berry has been focused on indigenous driven opportunities. He has either co-founded or seed-invested numerous investments including real estate development, tobacco, gaming and healthcare. Mr berry is co founder and partner of Ohkwari group which is the majority shareholder of the indigenous world medical Center development in Kelowna BC, in partnership with the Westbank band as well as the hospital development in partnership with six nations.

Mr Berry has a mathematics honors degree from Queens University, an MBA from Rotman School of Business, a Chartered Accountant designation and a Certified Financial Analysist designation. Mr Berry is also a committed philanthropist and is the cofounder of Kids In Sports foundation in Canada. Mr Berry has three kids and lives in Toronto Ontario.

TEWANEE JOSEPH | Communications and Policy Development

Tewanee is a member of the Squamish First Nation, and is half Maori. He served eight years on the Squamish Nation Council, and has a talent for facilitation and coordinating diverse groups to identify and achieve their goals. He has utilized his skills to work on a broad range of initiatives including First Nations federal legislation, First Nations Land Management, Strategic Communications and Governance.

Recently, Tewanee served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Four Host First Nations Secretariat for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Tewanee worked with the Vancouver Organizing Committee and its partners to ensure unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning, hosting and staging of the 2010 Games. In this role, he spearheaded the largest re-brand of Aboriginal people in Canadian history, and led the team that overcame countless obstacles and doubt to create a world renowned brand, and a new model for inclusivity.

His goal is to carry on these teachings and share best practices long into the future.

Gwen Bridge | Natural Resources and Land Use Planning

Gwen Bridge, CEO of Gwen Bridge Consulting works as an associate with the Aboriginal Capacity Builders Team.

Gwen is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation and has 20 years of experience working for indigenous peoples in the USA and Canada in natural resource project development and management, indigenous governance, strategy and planning, organizational development, land and conservation planning, and policy analysis. Her areas of expertise include negotiation of government to government agreements, indigenous governance, Title and Rights protection strategies, and policy development. Gwen has thorough knowledge the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the evolving First Nations policy environment, and federal and provincial conservation and land management legislation and policy.

Gwen has extensive experience working with First Nations and federal provincial and regional governments on project and relationship advancements. Gwen has experience in implementing indigenous governance and decision making into agreements, and the development of organization structure and functions to reflect best practices and indigenous principles.

Gwen’s recent clients include: Conservation Northwest, Corfield & Associates, First Nations Fisheries Council, First Nations Health Authority, First Nations Technology Council, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Okanagan Indian Band, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Osoyoos Indian Band, Sanchez Wood & Associates, Stantec, University of Northern BC, Upper Nicola Band.

Gwen holds a Master of Science with a Major in Renewable Resources from the University of Alberta, and a Bachelor of Arts, with a Double Major in Environmental Studies and Physical Geography from the University of Victoria.

CYNTHIA MITZIMBERG | Retail Marketing Specialist

With over 30 years of direct retail marketing experience, Cynthia specializes in turning around under-performing and failing retail operations. She also assists businesses wishing to open new retail stores with advice on product positioning, store design and layout, as well as the installation of POS systems and staff training.

Cynthia is Tsimshian from the north-coast of British Columbia, and stills calls Terrace, BC her home town today.

CHRIS LOEWEN | Principal Grant Writer and Funding Specialist

Chris Loewen is the president of Loewen & Caine Management Services, an organization that has, for over 25 years provided financial, management and capacity-building services to First Nation communities and other First Nation organizations with a focus on working with communities to help secure their financial health and to develop their internal capacity. He has worked as A Co-Manager, Third Party Manager and Advisor in First Nations in Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia. Mr. Loewen has provided financial advice, policy and procedure expertise and capacity building proficiency. Roles include the reduction of deficits, the preparation and implementation of budgets, financial coaching for Band Councils, program directors and band staff, management of government funding, payroll, development of policies and procedures, the preparation of Remedial Management Plans and accessing funding.

Chris worked with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank procuring and managing the distribution of food to Third World Countries in Africa, and South and Central America. He worked with the local governments to ensure fair and equitable food distribution. He established, taught and managed an Alternative High School for at-risk youth. There he developed and facilitated an “on-the-job” training course for his students with local businesses. He adapted the school curricula to integrate with on-the-job experiences. He worked with various group homes for at-risk youth in an effort to assist in the transition to independent living. Chris also worked at an Aboriginal Child Welfare Agency (West Region Child & Family Services) in Winnipeg as they went through the transition from provincial control to “selfcontrol” of their children in care.

Mr. Loewen currently volunteers for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association where he designs and facilitates Grief Sessions for those who have recently lost a spouse. He is also working with the homeless in Kelowna. Chris is interested in mediation services, dispute resolution, policy development, leadership and governance and effective communication.