Motivate your spirit, call on your strength

Mel believes that with hard work, you can achieve anything. His personal and professional successes have left a lasting impact on the Fort McKay First Nation and greater Wood Buffalo region. Over the years, Mel has built a thriving company that now employs more than 600 people, safeguarded his community during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lobbied governments for the protection of traditional territories. Mel has also led the development of Nation-owned businesses that provide sustainable revenue. Through his work, Mel inspires others to find the strength within themselves to uplift their communities.

You too can be a hero in your family, community and workplace. In 1996, Mel rallied volunteers and founded the Fort McKay Fire Department. His team trained hard and won two national championships and four back-to-back provincial championships—a testament to the power of effort and teamwork. With an average age of only 23, these volunteers had no hesitation when they were called into action during the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, the most costly natural disaster in Canada’s history. For eight days straight, the crew worked tirelessly to save the community of Grayling Terrace. Lack of fire preparedness and inadequate funding is an issue for First Nations across Canada, resulting in preventable harm. Mel shares the inspiring journey of how Fort McKay strengthened its resources and mobilized its people. Through his story, he will ignite your spirit, empowering you to become a hero in any area of life you choose.

There is a light at the end of your tunnel. Mel is a survivor who faced racism and sexual abuse. His parents were residential school survivors, and their trauma resulted in his own trauma. Mel grew up as the oil sands in Northern Alberta were being firmly established as one of the world’s largest oil reserves. In 1963, industry brought with it a bridge to his remote community of Fort McKay, at which point everything changed. Mel witnessed the transition of men forgoing trapping to work in the oil sands. Every payday was a nightmare with the increased access to alcohol and other negative influences industry brought with it. Mel was surrounded by it, with many lasting mental health impacts for him and his community. While Fort McKay continues to experience growing pains and increased drug and alcohol use, Mel has found an alternative path. His success is a product of hard work and personal growth. He is a beacon of hope and light, encouraging everyone to seek support when they need it and reminding them that success is achieved through healing.

One of Canada’s most accomplished former Chiefs, Mel is in demand as an advisor to First Nation governance and executive leadership teams to consult on agreements and initiatives. As Chief of a high-profile First Nation on one of the world’s largest oil reserves, Mel regularly dealt with top executives and led the Fort McKay Group of Companies' diversification strategy, which included an extensive housing development. He improved corporate structures, safeguarded the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, lobbied governments for the protection of traditional territories, built mega Nation-owned businesses that provide sustainable revenues, and was instrumental in three pipeline deals that have become models for industrial development on traditional lands across Alberta. Mel has more than three decades of experience in project management, business development and construction engineering, and is president of Fort McKay Alcor, a company with more than 600 employees. From emergency preparedness to economic development, diversification and capital projects, Mel’s experience and understanding of socioeconomics help Indigenous communities maintain tradition while successfully navigating the changes of the modern world.