Community Planning and the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN)

Glinis Buffalo, RPP – Panel Moderator
Chief Mel Grandjamb – FMFN
Councillor Raymond Powder – FMFN
Mike Evans – Director, Government Relations, FMFN 

Join the moderator and guest panelists to explore the FMFN’s experiences and successes in collaborative and successful community planning and responsible industry growth that respects Treaty rights and the exercise of traditional land uses and cultural practices.

In January 2020, FMFN and the Government of Alberta launched the fourth attempt to develop policy that would support the exercise of constitutionally recognized and affirmed s.35 Treaty rights and traditional land uses. FMFN co-chaired with Alberta Environment and Parks Ministry a multi-stakeholder planning table that included the oil sands and forestry industries and other Indigenous communities to explore policy options to meet mutually agreed upon outcomes.

The April 2020 decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal to overturn, for the first time, an oil sands project approval that threatened Moose Lake emphasized the importance of the Treaty 8 partnership. FMFN is proud of its many community planning success stories including but not limited to the Moose Lake Access Management Plan (MLAMP) announced by Alberta in February 2021. This Plan supports the exercise of Treaty rights and traditional land uses by providing land-use and resource development direction for industry and regulators for the 10-kilometre zone special management area that surrounds its Moose Lake reserves. 

In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day and APPI’s commitment to truth and reconciliation, we are excited to share the Fort McKay First Nation's story.

This presentation qualifies for 3.0 structured learning units.

Non members are welcome to join us!

Mel Grandjamb was elected chief of Fort McKay First Nation on April 5, 2019.
Prior to serving the Nation, Chief Grandjamb worked in the construction industry for 30 years, earning professional designations in Building Construction Engineering Technology and Project Management from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. As a volunteer, he founded the AWAKE Cultural Camp Series that teaches traditional lifestyle skills like hunting, fishing and trapping to youth. He has also been a very successful hockey coach.
Since taking office, Chief Grandjamb has been a fierce advocate for the protection of the Treaty rights of the members who elected him and of all member Nations of Treaty 8. He presided over the most significant court victory won by a First Nation in Alberta’s history. Chief Grandjamb is the proud father of four children and also has one grandchild.

Councillor Raymond Powder was elected to his sixth consecutive term on Council in 2019 and, in another year, will have served Fort McKay for two decades. He is a powerful advocate for education, Moose Lake, health,  and economic opportunities on behalf of members. 

Mike Evans has been the Director, Government Relations, at Fort McKay First Nation for the past three years. He has worked for Indigenous communities, the provincial and municipal governments on a wide variety of land use plans since the mid-1990s.  

Glinis Buffalo is a proud member of Samson Cree Nation, Maskwacis, and is the Director of Land Use and 
Environmental Planning with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta. Glinis has over 16 years of planning 
experience and has worked with all levels of government, private sector and industry; and she strongly 
believes thoughtful Indigenous inclusion must involve on-the-land land use planning and traditional 
knowledge. Glinis is a Registered Professional Planner with the Alberta Professional Planners Institute; 
lastly she enjoys being on the land with her family.