Kluane Adamek – Aagé (she/her)is a citizen of Kluane First Nation and honours the Matriarchs who welcomed her into the Dakl’aweidi (Killer Whale) Clan. Family grounds her work and values; she and her husband, Scott, live in Whitehorse, Yukon with their daughter, Tayāna Copper-Jane, and hold close their wider family.



The teachings of her grandparents, to stay grounded, be consistent, and never compromise integrity, have shaped her ability to walk in what her Grandmother called “both worlds.” These teachings remain the foundation of how she shows up: with humility, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to future generations.



Kluane’s work centres on bringing people together and creating space for voices too often left out. As the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief from 2018–2025, she helped lead the advancement of a national First Nations climate strategy and represented northern and Indigenous perspectives in key national and international policy discussions.



In all of her work, Kluane brings forward perspectives rooted in her values, lived experience, and the realities of northern and Indigenous peoples. Whether serving on the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Major Projects Office or as a Trustee for the Kluane First Nation Trust, she works to make complex systems more accessible, inclusive, and responsive. She is deeply committed to creating space for women, young people, and the next generation to shape decisions that will impact them most — always grounding her leadership in values, relationships, and responsibility.

PJ Akeeagok is the Founder and President of Arctic Strategies Inc., leading Indigenous‑driven governance, infrastructure, and Arctic policy initiatives. As former Premier of Nunavut, he led the Nunavut Devolution Agreement, the largest land transfer in Canadian history, and secured the $1.5B implementation contract that strengthens Inuit governance for generations. He previously served two terms as President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, where he secured the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and its $255.5M Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, alongside major reconciliation, conservation, and community development initiatives. Today, he continues to drive Indigenous‑led nation‑building with clarity, credibility, and long‑term impact.

Antoine Rhyn is the Regional Manager of Contract Services at Defence Construction Canada, supporting the delivery of critical infrastructure for the Department of National Defence. He oversees procurement activities across the North, the National Capital Region. With a background in civil engineering and experience in both industry and public‑sector environments, Antoine combines technical expertise with strategic leadership in complex, mission‑critical projects. His work focuses on innovative procurement, strong governance, and collaborative delivery to advance resilient defence infrastructure. Antoine brings practical insights into how industry can engage in Canada’s evolving defence infrastructure investments.

Tim Brown is the Director of Economic Advancement at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), where he has worked since 2020 advancing Inuit-led approaches to housing, infrastructure, and economic development in Nunavut. His work focuses on developing long-term, transformative solutions that strengthen Inuit participation, build regional capacity, and support coordination with federal partners on major investments across Inuit Nunangat.

Having called Nunavut home since 2000, Tim brings more than two decades of northern experience to his work in policy, governance, and strategic development.

Conrad has more than 30 years of management experience in First Nations’ capital investment & finance, the natural resource sector, large national and international companies, as well as hospitality and restaurant businesses.

At Dakwakada Capital Investments LP he leads the team responsible for undertaking and managing private investment in properties, funds, and businesses on behalf of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Trust. He joined DCI in 2023 from forestry company Teal Jones, where he was Director of Indigenous Partnerships and Strategic Relations, responsible for the firm’s relationship with First Nations in whose territories that company operates. Prior to that he was CEO of the K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), for the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations (GNN) in Port Hardy, BC. He first joined the GNN as an economic development officer and built KEDC from the ground up – taking it from one employee and a single business line to 150 employees in six lines in a few years. He joined GNN from BC’s then Ministry of Forests and Range, where he was District Compliance Leader & Operations Manager. Growing up in Alberta, Conrad spent his formative years in agricultural and ranching. Conrad was previously a Registered Forest Technologist and also has his 4th class Power Engineer’s ticket and his Chef’s papers.

Patrick Duxbury advocates for nation building through Inuit-led economic development efforts. He has over 23 years of experience providing strategic advice and operational support to Indigenous and northern organizations and businesses. His sectoral experience includes mining, defence, contaminated sites and infrastructure. Patrick currently serves as Executive Director of the Inuit Development Corporation Association (IDCA), a post that he has held since 2018. In this capacity, he helps the association to champion Inuit prosperity by executing its mission to create business development opportunities for IDCA’s seven development corporation members.

Patrick holds degrees from the University of Guelph and McGill University. Before moving to Ottawa with his family in 2018, Patrick previously resided in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Montreal and Southwestern Ontario. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys the outdoor sports that Ottawa has to offer, and he is also an enthusiastic visual artist and musician.

Richard Eden is the Executive Director of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, where he advances economic opportunity, investment, and partnerships for Yukon First Nations. His career spans entrepreneurship, media, and technology, including founding and scaling multiple ventures. Richard is known for bridging conversations between industry, government, and Indigenous leadership, making him a natural fit to guide complex discussions across energy, tourism, and investment

Tom Garrett serves as Senior Project Advisor to Nukik Corporation, where he has provided strategic advice and support to Inuit leadership on the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) for over nine years. He has helped guide the project’s evolution into the largest clean energy infrastructure initiative in Nunavut, one that stands to deliver reliable power, high-speed digital connectivity, and lasting economic opportunity. As a major nation-building project for Nunavut, the KHFL represents a generational investment in strengthening communities, advancing Inuit self-determination, and securing a stronger future for the North.

Tom is also Principal with Chadwick Consulting Ltd., a Manitoba-based firm specializing in Indigenous relations and northern issues. Tom brings over 15 years of senior central government experience with the Province of Manitoba, in key advisory positions and specializing in project management and stakeholder relations, as well as planning, media, and government relations. He leverages extensive experience in policy development, legislative process, and government decision-making processes to provide strategic advice in support of economic development, transformative initiatives, and community priorities. His work has taken him across northern Manitoba and Nunavut, where through consultation and collaboration, he has built key relationships with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including Indigenous leaders, non-profits, the private sector, governments, and environmental organizations.