Council of Advisors
Council of Advisors
The Council of Advisors provides Carbon RX the grounding and guidance that mirrors First Nations inherent stewardship and sovereignty required to implement the path towards Environmental , Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
CHIEF REGINALD BELLEROSE – CHAIRPERSON – Council of advisors
Leading Carbon RX’s First Nation’s initiative is Chief Reginald Bellerose, who after 17 consecutive years of serving as Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation put his name forward as a candidate and was the runner up for the title of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Canada.
Chief Bellerose has a distinguished political history of fulfilling a stewardship role for key First Nations organizations and institutions. He currently serves as Chair of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group (SITAG), and he currently sits on a diverse number of boards, committees, and commissions.
Chief Bellerose has been critical in advancing key initiatives that have positively impacted First Nations across the country. He has sponsored significant national resolutions on the floor and has been politically active on a number of high-profile issues nationally and regionally.
Chief Bellerose holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Concordia University in Edmonton. He balances formal education eloquently with teachings and knowledge shared by Chiefs and Elders that he has worked with over the years.
He offers his wealth of experience and proven successes to Carbon RX, as First Nations liaison to navigate a diverse and complex political & economic reality from a perspective that was forged over 17 years of serving First Nations people.
CHIEF willie sellars – Council of advisors
Willie Sellars was born and raised in Williams Lake, BC and is a member of the Williams Lake First Nation (“WLFN” or “T’exelc”) of the Secwepemc Nation. Elected to WLFN Council at the age of 24 in 2008, Willie was one of the youngest elected Councilors in WLFN history. After serving 10 years on Council he was elected as the Chief of the Williams Lake First Nation in 2018.
In his previous work experience, Willie worked as a Wildland Firefighter for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations before returning to his community to assume the position of Special Project Coordinator in the WLFN Economic Development Department.
While Chief in 2020, Willie oversaw the negotiation of British Columbia’s first government-to-government agreement under section 119 of the BC Cannabis Control and Licensing Act. Willie is a Director and President of WLFN’s two cannabis entities, Sugar Cane Cannabis and Unity Cannabis.
Willie is also a published author of “Dipnetting with Dad,” which won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, and was shortlisted for the Chocolate Lily, Shining Willow, and Ontario Library Association awards. His second book, “Hockey with Dad,” released in the Fall of 2021.
Sara Loft, MPA, BA – Council of Advisors
Sara Loft spent several years with the Federal Government before her role as a Special Advisor to the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. She joined Ishkonigan Inc., a leading national firm specializing in Indigenous Business and was involved in many aspects of the company’s growth on an international level as the Vice President of Business Development.
She has recently created her own company, Tawi:ne Consulting Inc. specializing in Indigenous Engagement and Private Partnerships and is the acting CEO for Bellerose & Associates. Sara has an in-depth knowledge of Indigenous issues on a local and national level, coupled with her education and experience. Sara has proven results and expertise in the areas of renewable energy, management and administration consulting services, First Nation and Métis engagement and negotiation, project management, federal procurement, resource development, First Nation economic development, and regulatory overview.
Through her work with the Office of Social Innovation at Queen’s University, Sara has contributed to the design of programs aimed at Indigenous business education leveraging shared values by emphasizing corporate-community responsibility, and the promotion of community development. Social responsibility has been important throughout Sara’s career, including contributing to community initiatives assisting with community youth education programs, Indigenous community events aimed at health and wellness, and volunteering with Indigenous urban programs. Sara has an MPA from Queen’s University, a BA from Ryerson University, and a certificate in Negotiations and Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor. Sara is from the Mohawk Nation, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON
Nathan Ballantyne - CEO of the TIPI Group of Companies - Council of Advisors
Nathan is a successful entrepreneur and businessman. He started and has grown the Tipi Group of Companies into a large and respected group based out of Winnipeg, MB that services Canada from coast to coast.
