b'JUDGESwas my objective. I wanted to havewould ultimately be part of the firstentrepreneurial drive. Theres athe infrastructure in place, the roads,successful land claim agreement inspirit within. the water, the sewage, and we hadB.C. and Canada, with theto negotiate and put those in place,Nisgaa people.Bears Lair, according to Louie, will set a assert our Aboriginal rights, precedent in how both Indigenous and Louie comments.When Geena Jackson called Louienon-Indigenous people view business. in 2021 about judging Bears Lair,Its going to resonate, and not only with His fierce commitment to his Nationhe saw it as another opportunity tothe Indigenous peoples, but everybody, would see Louie butt heads more thansupport the Indigenous community. Ihe says. Its going to be something once with both provincial and federalwanted to support the Indigenoustheyre going to be looking forward to governments. But he always dug inentrepreneurs, Louie says of hiswatching, and people are going to learn his heels, unafraid of the bureaucracydecision to join the show as a corefrom that. Theres going to be a lotthat barred his way to getting what hisjudge. This is like reconciliation; Iof pride.Nation needed, be it access to waterwanted to give back to our people. reserves or expansion of its sewage system. You want to challengeLouies approach to choosing winners me? Im going to do it, Louiecircled around the shows social impact recalls telling a government officialtheme: How did [the business] preventing the enlargement of thecontribute or what was the purpose? sewage system.Were they contributing to the It was this assertive passion foroverall good of Indigenous peoples? advocating for Indigenous rights thatWere they going after Indigenous led the federal Minister of Indianemployment? Was it the community at Affairs Tom Siddon to call on Louielarge? How much confidence did they to advise his government on thehave in the business? unfolding Oka Crisis in 1990. You have to show no fear and go right upMuch has changed for Indigenous there and say, Here I am, lets see ifentrepreneurs in the lengthy time that we can do a deal. That was the adviceLouie has been in business, he says. I gave him at the time, The landscape has transformed fromTABATHA BULLLouie recalls. a restricted and uphill battleground, to one where there is more support,Tabatha Bull is a Anishinaabe member That wouldnt be the only time Louiesmore mentorship, more role modelsof the Nipissing First Nation, Ontario expertise would be sought out byand a groundswell of creativeand has been the president and CEO government ministers and lawmakers.young Indigenous talent willing toof the Canadian Council for Aboriginal After the Oka Crisis, he was asked tothink outside the box. IndigenousBusiness (CCAB) since 2020. She is an advise the first Indian Affairs Ministerentrepreneurs are really coming out ofelectrical engineer from the University of B.C. on land claims agreements andthe woodwork, he notes. Theres anof Waterloo who spent 14 years at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the last four of which were dedicated to leading their First Nations and Mtis relations team. Bull also sits on several other boards and committees, including Queens Universitys Engineering Circle of Advisors, the Positive Energy Advisory Exceptional people, Council, the MARS Energy Advisory Council, the C.D. Howe Institutes creating bioproducts Energy Policy program, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. I for a more sustainable world went into engineering to work with communities and build that bridge between engineering and projects and communities, Bull says. info.mpc@mercerint.comIn her career as an electrical engineer, Bull found the most rewarding work 780-624-7000 in being that bridge, particularly www.mercerint.com on renewable energy projects and in building energy capacity with Indigenous Nations across Ontario.28A CCAB PUBLICATION2022'