Cadmus Delorme

Cadmus Delorme, a Cree and Saulteaux, is a citizen of the Cowessess First Nation. Mr. Delorme was Chief from 2016 to 2023. In 2023, Mr. Delorme received an honorary degree from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Institution. In 2021, Cadmus achieved an Institute of Corporate Director designation. In 2016 he received a Master of Public Administration from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and in 2013 a Bachelor of Business Administration along with a Certificate in Hospitality, Tourism and Gaming Entertainment Management from the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv). 

Mr. Delorme served in several capacities while a student in high school and university, including vice-president and president. In 2012, Cadmus was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his student leadership sand the hospitality he showed to Kind Charles III and his Queen Consulate Camilla when they visited FNUniv in 2012. In 2012, Mr. Delorme was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee. In 2015, Cadmus was named one of CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40, which celebrates the province’s new generation of leaders, builders, and change-makers under the age of 40. During Mr. Delorme’s time as Chief his focus was on political sovereignty, economic self-sustainability, and cultural rejuvenation. In April 2023, Mr. Delorme decided to not run for a third term and now is Partner to One Hoop Consulting Group and Partner to Flowing River Capital Group which focuses on enhancing Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #92, Business and Reconciliation.  

Mr. Delorme lives with his wife Kimberly, brother-in-law, daughter and two sons on the Cowessess First Nation. 

Matthew Foss

Vice President Research & Public Policy at Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) 

Matthew Foss is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. He brings over 25 years of public policy experience, specializing in energy economics along with research and public policy development. Mr. Foss currently serves as the Vice President of Research & Public Policy for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and is an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy.  

 Matthew’s focus at the CCAB is on advancing Indigenous business through research and advocacy related to procurement, international trade, celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs and natural resource development. Prior to joining CCAB, he ran his own energy economics and public policy consulting business for several years and served as the Chief Energy Economist for the Alberta Government.  

Indigenous Women Empowerment Panel 2024:

Christine Marie, Awāsis Boutique

Christine Marie, a Filipino/Métis Mom of two, launched Awāsis Boutique in Feb 2018 as an online shop. Awāsis means child in Cree. It is the first Indigenous inspired baby and kids fashion shop in Western Canada. After seeing a gap of Indigenous inspired clothing for babies/kids on the market in Canada, she set out to fill this gap. To not only provide little ones with fashion pieces that connect them with their language and culture, but to also educate others about the Indigenous culture. 

Christine started off with sewing baby drool bibs, aprons and blankets. Along with a selection of onesies and toddler tees featuring phrases in Cree and English languages. She has since expanded her product selection with pieces for the entire family to keep up with the demand. Now recognized as a National brand, a selection of products also include products made with authentic, Indigenous themed fabric prints. You can find some of the goods in all of the Wanuskewin Gift Shops, Ready Set Baby, Groovy Mama Shop + the USASK store. 

A teacher by trade, she did not know how to launch a business, start an online shop and begin an Instagram page. She set out to only work part time hours as her children were 1 and 4 at the time. The plan was to slowly build her business, so that she could still make the most of the time with her boys and be ready to dive in full time when they were both in school. Sept 2022 marked the transition into full time hours. Hiring on 3 part time staff to keep up with the demand. 

Awāsis Boutique would have not grown like it has over the last few years without the incredible support of customers, suppliers and collaborations. In June 2021, A successful “Every Child Matters” tee campaign was launched. Within 45 minutes, 600 tees sold. Proceeds of $9,375 were donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. By the end of September, an additional 

$15,000+ was donated to the Legacy of Hope Foundation + the SPSchools Literacy program. In the Summer/Fall of 2022, over $30,000 was raised from a successful orange tee campaign in collaboration with The Jilly Box/Jillian Harris. In 2023, Awāsis Boutique opened their first retail space at 808 Broadway in Saskatoon. As of 2024 over 100K has been donated back into the community. 

Christine is passionate about making an impact beyond the business sector. To be able to do her part at revitalizing the Indigenous language, which was lost, be intentional about educating others about the culture, give back to organizations that support all things babies/families and act on the calls of reconciliation by engaging in relationships/business partnerships with non Indigenous people. 

Awāsis Boutique has been featured in:

• Style Canada
• Your Morning Show
• APTN
• The Toronto Star
• Global Saskatoon
• EagleSpeaker newspaper
• Global National
• CTV News
• The Star Phoenix
• CBC Radio
• CBC Indigenous
• Usask Alumni
• C95, CKOM radio stations
• The Birds Papaya
• Sasktel
• MNP

Speaking/Canadian Anthem Experience:

• Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Sask Polytech
• Hearts Desire Gala
• Chamber of Commerce Business Panel
• TCU Financial Group Young Leaders Summit
• Huskies Athletics
• Shine Collective
• YWCA Women’s Breakfast Panel
• Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies

Randi Noble

Randi’s passion for amplifying Indigenous voices and advocating for women’s empowerment is reflected in her work. She collaborated with Brandi Hofer and Lloydminster Health Foundation on the “Join Hands Choose Love” initiative, a 3,000 sq. ft. Truth and Reconciliation mural in downtown Lloydminster that raised funds to support local mental health programs. Randi’s journey began in a very different field, as she initially pursued the Heavy Oil Operators Program at Lakeland College. Later, she shifted her focus to the arts, completing her education at Mount Royal University. 

Her diverse career includes time with Newcap Radio, the Meridian Source, and the Lloydminster Catholic School Division. Now, at Red Bicycle Communications, she brings together her experience in oilfield, farming, and advertising, providing fresh perspectives and creative solutions. Randi also recently achieved Certifications in Coaching Out of the Box and Level Up Leadership. 

Deeply rooted in her community, Randi is an active volunteer at local events. A farm girl at heart, she finds inspiration in the simplicity of the prairies, combining her love for photography, nature, and animals with a strong commitment to family and community. 

Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee is a nehiyawiskwew omihkwapikew, Plains cree artisan specializing in canvas tipis. Tipi Pegs was incorporated in March 2024. Indigenous woman owned manufacturer of treated & untreated canvas tipis, operating on the Ermineskin Cree Nation Indian Reservation, in Maskwacis, Alberta. It is located at the center of Maskwacis, Alberta near the busy Bow & Arrow gas station located off Highway 2A.  

Lee has twenty-three years of experience learning and making tipis, training twenty-five years as a native artisan, including fifteen years of experience as a hide tanner. She has been making tipis professionally since 2018 and has gained knowledge in manufacturing and selling her products. Tipi Pegs currently offers small, medium and large treated & untreated canvas tipis and tipi liners as its core product, training is focused on canvas tipi instruction and appreciation of tipis as a way of connecting to the outdoors and being on the land.  

Fireside Chat

Some of our past speakers include:

• Ashley Callingbull – Miss Universe Canada 2024
• Blaine Mirasty – Cree North Adventures
• Keith Henry – Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
• Shae Bird – Indigenous Tourism Alberta
• Cody Demerais – Life is Limitless
• Sylvia Vineham – Vineham’s Cleaning Services Ltd. and Smiiley B Swaggin Bags
• Monica Brunet – Saskatchewan Metis Economic Development Corp
• Mike Young – Integrated Indigenous Energy Management
• Erin Close – Synergy Credit Union Human Resource Manager
• Nick Crighton – Executive Director of the Indigenous Manufacturing and Contracting Network
• Chief Cadmus Delorme
• Thomas Benjoe, B.Admin. Pro. Dir. President & CEO, FHQ Developments
• Jacob Faithful
• Mallory Yawnghwe
• Niilo Edwards
• Michael Linklater, 3×3 World Tour Basketball Player,  Entrepreneur,  Community and Youth Activist-Proud Indigenous-Life long Learner.
• Jim Boucher, 2018 Canadian Energy Person of the year
• Chief Clarence Louie, Chief of Osoyoos Indian Band
• Devon Fiddler, Founder and Chief Changemaker of SheNative Goods Inc.
• Heather Abbey, Founder of ShopIndig.ca
• Dallas Soonias, volleyball player who competed for the Men’s National Team.
• Clint Davis, VP of Aboriginal Banking at TD Bank Group
• Terry Bird, Lead Advisor First Nation & Metis Initiatives for K+S Potash.
• Shaun Soonias, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network
• Zane Hansen, President & CEO of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
• Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Chief of Lac La Ronge Indian Band
• Kelly Lendsay, BSPE, MBA, CAFM, ICD.D President & CEO INDIGENOUS WORKS (formerly the Aboriginal Human Resource Council)
• Ken Coates Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan campus and Munk Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.