Who We Are

Isadore Day

Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini, is an Anishinaabe from Serpent River First Nation. He is of the Genozhe ndodem (Northern Pike Clan). He brings many years of political and policy expertise. A former Regional Chief of Ontario, Lake Huron Region Grand Chief and Vice Chair of the North Shore Tribal Council, he has served 15 years as an elected leader for First Nations and has handled various high-level policy files. He is hereditary to Chief Shingwauk, Wiindawtegowinini and Genebek, who signed the Robinson-Huron Treaty and the Manitoulin Treaty and were allies to the British Crown in the War of 1812.

Chief Day has been involved in various boards and committees; at both regional and national levels over the past two decades while remaining a strong grassroots visionary. With a background in Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration and Governance – he is a firm believer that education that is culturally rooted and is bridged into mainstream disciplines is essential to success. His most noted accomplishment was repatriating First Nation children back to his First Nation from mainstream foster care systems. He has been an energy policy leader, community developer and a tireless advocate for First Nation treaty rights.

Isadore Day’s main focus is on Nationhood rights and Sovereignty; and specifically, the improvement in First Nation health, social, and economic conditions of current and future generations. Isadore is emphatic that the Indian Act is colonial oppression and at the root of what must change in all First Nations – he vows to maintain and refine his life’s mission to be focused on reconstituting Indigenous Nations on Turtle Island.

Isadore Day is the former Chief of Serpent River First Nation and a former Ontario Regional Chief over the span of 15 years involved in First Nation leadership.  He was the Chair of the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee on Health and established the AFN Task Force on Cannabis. He is now the Founder and CEO of Bimaadzwin, a consulting group focused on Nationhood, and an advocate for First Nation participation in the mainstream cannabis industry as a means to create long-term community prosperity and employment.

A former Chief of the Serpent River First Nation and former Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Ontario, he works with all levels of government and industry, as well as numerous associates to ensure the economic development and autonomy of First Nations. In addition to facilitating and building partnerships between First Nations, public and private entities, he seeks to develop opportunities in the clean energy sector, including a hydrogen transportation and industrial corridor in Northern Ontario.

Onekanew (Chief) Christian Sinclair

Christian Sinclair was elected as Onekanew (Chief) for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in September 2016. Onekanew Christian Sinclair, the Onuschekawak (council) and the administration of Opaskwayak Cree Nation achieved First Nation Financial Board Certification certification—adopting and implementing finance and governance standards.  After getting his community out of debt and third party management, Onekanew Christian Sinclair shares business models of success and encourages an approach of calculated risk with high return on investment.

Christian Sinclair is a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN).  In 1988, Christian graduated from Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) and then went on to serve in the Canadian military until 1995, participating in tours of duty in Cyprus (1990 Recon) and Somalia (1992-93 Special Forces).​

In 1999, Christian co-founded the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that showcased athletes, coaches and officials in Manitoba the opportunity to participate in multi-sport competition, the host community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN).  In 2002, Christian was hired as the General Manager of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Winnipeg.  The event was the most successful NAIG ever hosted and ended with a surplus of over $1.3 million.  As a result of the legacy planning from the 2002 NAIG, today—there is a scholarship program, accessible to Manitoba’s Indigenous youth. 

After NAIG 2002, Christian began working in the corporate sector with Indigenous groups across Canada, focusing on corporate development and positioning for major natural resource projects related to hydro, mining and oil and gas.  In 2003, Christian was named as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40.

Christian went on to complete a Masters in Project Management from University of Winnipeg, as well as Negotiations and Leadership from Harvard Law School.  He incorporates traditional knowledge and teachings from the people he has worked with and he acknowledges the importance of balancing these practices in his work.

In 2013, Christian made a career change to work as an independent business advisor.  With a wealth of organizational knowledge, experience earned on the battlefield and proven in the corporate boardroom and First Nation Council Chambers, Christian Sinclair is a highly sought after negotiator and project manager for both Indigenous communities and mainstream corporations seeking to engage in major resource development. He is able to effectively bridge the needs and goals of industry and traditional land rights holders into mutually beneficial win-win opportunities for sustainable prosperity and lasting business partnerships for all involved and for future generations.

In 2016, Christian Sinclair was elected as Onekanew (Chief) for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Since then, Onekanew Christian Sinclair has been appointed as one of the co-chairs of a task force created to lead the process of implementing the Manitoba government’s Northern Economic Development Strategy. He co-chairs the One North consortium in Manitoba that will be a key stakeholder in the ownership of the rail line from OCN to Churchill. Onekanew Sinclair sits as a Director for National Cannabis Corporation, the first deal of its kind on the TSX. Christian was recently appointed to the National Lands Advisory Board, as the representative for Manitoba.

What is Economic Reconciliation?

Economic reconciliation is for all peoples in Canada. It seeks to engage an entire community in an inclusive process of developing shared understanding and agreed-upon values. All people have an opportunity to learn from each other.

Economic reconciliation builds upon local heritage and positions communities within broader contexts. The benefits of economic trade at regional and international levels are widely recognized. Economic reconciliation builds on local strengths to forge strong paths within a larger community.

Economic reconciliation employs a holistic view of prosperity. Material prosperity is an important dimension of prosperity. However, material wealth, including how it is generated and spent, is placed within the context of community wellbeing and values.

Learn More at ReconcilliationCanada.ca