Man of action, firefighting hero, traditional teacher

In elementary and junior high, Mel took his books to the trapline where he was on his own to learn and study. In high school he endured long commutes and 12-hour days to achieve his diploma. In college he was the only Indigenous student in his program. A second-generation residential school survivor, Mel endured both racism and abuse throughout his youth.

Despite these difficulties, Mel refuses to dwell on the past.

After completing his education, he launched a career at Syncrude Canada, later serving two terms as Chief of the Fort McKay First Nation and founding several companies along the way. He now has more than three decades of experience in project management, business development, construction engineering and entrepreneurship. He has led negotiations with Canada’s top executives, fought legal battles to safeguard his community’s resources, implemented protective measures to regulate community access during COVID-19, and initiated the Fort McKay Group of Companies' Diversification Strategy, including an extensive housing development. His latest passion is the Awake Cultural Camp, which he developed to preserve and pass on traditional knowledge.

The breadth and diversity of Mel’s experience—from his childhood on the reserve to his successful entrepreneurial career and dedication to his community—make him uniquely qualified to lead conversations on perseverance, inner strength, maintaining tradition while navigating the changes of a modern world, and much more.

With humour and humility, Mel Grandjamb shares his business acumen, generosity and community-minded spirit, motivating and empowering listeners to take control of their lives and invest in their healing and success.