Prince George, B.C. – The new Aboriginal Business and Investment Council is ready to help move projects forward that create jobs across British Columbia.

The 13-member council is led by Chief Councillor Ellis Ross, who was appointed chair of the council in December 2011.

As part of ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’, the council will identify alternative business models that encourage economic development in Aboriginal communities across the province, supporting greater participation of Aboriginal people in the economy. The council will provide investors with the tools they need to engage and partner with B.C. First Nations.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell says “when we talk about economic development and investment in the province, building relationships with Aboriginal communities and understanding their perspectives are necessary first steps."

Northern representation of the council is as follows:

Arnold Bellis – North Coast- is the chief executive officer and president of Gwaii Wood Products.  

Roger B. Harris – Skeena – a Principal of Harris Palmer, a consultancy providing strategic advice, community engagement and government relations to clients. Previously, Harris was the vice president of Aboriginal and Community Partnerships with Northern Gateway Pipelines and a B.C. MLA representing the riding of Skeena.  

Corrina Leween – Nechako Lakes – was Chief of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation between 2003 and 2011. She has worked for the Lake Babine Nation for several years as its general manager and housing coordinator.

Chief Derek Orr – Prince George/Mackenzie

Chief Derek Orr is Chief of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. Orr serves as a director on the board of Duz Cho Logging and Duz Cho Construction as well as on the boards of Summit Pipelines and the McLeod Lake Indian Band Exploration Corporation.

Sidney A. Peltier – Skeena – is the owner and president of White River Helicopters Inc. and Pelair Helicopters. He  is the vice president of the Northwest B.C. Métis Association, a director of the Kermode Friendship Society, and a committee member on the Métis Consultation Project Team Enbridge.