KENN ROSS94 Withrow Avenue, Toronto ON M4K 1C9

(416) 523.8385 / kenn_ross@yahoo.ca

Objective: Seeking senior Indigenous relations role within the private, non-profit or government sectors.

CITIZENSHIPCanadian—Status Indian, Millbrook Mi’kmaq First Nation, Truro, Nova Scotia.British

BUSINESS EXPERIENCEAdvisor, Indigenous Relations, Ontario Power GenerationAugust 2015—Present (contract)

This role is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the Indigenous Relations Program and ensuring that OPG’s initiatives are monitored and effective.

Represent the Indigenous Relations function on interdisciplinary OPG project teams (e.g., business development, human resources, procurement) with internal stakeholders to arrive at a consensus on controversial issues.

Oversee the delivery of the Indigenous Relations Program, including the preparation of an annual program report for submission to the Board of Directors, the updating of the Indigenous Relations Policy, and creating a computer assisted learning (CAL) module on Indigenous Relations.

Establish and build relationships with various government departments and agencies, communities and aboriginal leaders regarding issues management, e.g., Deep Geological Repository, Western Waste Management Facility, Darlington Refurbishment.

Develop and recommend policies and programs for Indigenous Relations within OPG, e.g., Progress Aboriginal Relations (PAR) in association with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Conduct research to better understand the Indigenous grievances, recommend negotiation approaches and assist in the drafting of Business Cases for Senior Management approval.

Advisory role on topics such as Indigenous policy topics such as employment and procurement.

OPG representative for the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario (AABO) Clarington Committee.

As a member of the OPG Native Circle, plan the annual National Aboriginal Day events and adjudicate the post-secondary John Wesley Beaver Awards.

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Senior Manager, Aboriginal Relations, Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para Pan Am GamesApril 2012—August 2015

Responsible for the active inclusion of Aboriginal people, their leaders, communities and organizations in Games activities, celebrations and ceremonies. Achievements included:

Negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with First Nation and Metis partners outlining their participation in the Games and their Domestic Dignitary status.

Management of fourteen member Aboriginal Leadership Partners (ALP) collaborating with TO2015 to deliver Aboriginal programming.

Co-ordination of three ALP working groups: Arts and Culture, Youth, and Economic Development.

Crafted and implemented Aboriginal Participation Plan for the Games.

Crafted and implemented TO2015 Aboriginal Policy.

Oversight of various Aboriginal projects, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Aboriginal components for Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) General Assemblies, Youth mural at Pan Am Aquatic Centre, Youth delegate participation at North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), Torch Relay participation, Aboriginal cultural pavilion logistics and programming.

Relationship management between Aboriginal stakeholders and various TO2015 functional areas, e.g., Community and Cultural Affairs, Sport, Procurement, Brand Management, Communications, Spectator Experience, Transportation, Integrated Security Unit.

Licensed product development with Aboriginal proponents.

Issues management with various government partners including Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Secretariat, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Aboriginal and Northern Development Canada, Sport Canada and the City of Toronto.

Manager, Aboriginal Business Resource Centre (ABRC), Miziwe Biik Development CorporationNovember 2003—March 2012

The ABRC, as part of the MBDC, serves the needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs within the Greater Toronto Area as well as taking on various projects with a strategic focus. Achievements included:

Development of the proposed Thunderbird Aboriginal Arts Centre in the City of Toronto, linking efforts of consultants and potential partners, such as Waterfront Toronto, Infrastructure Ontario, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, TO2015, among others.

Co-ordinated Aboriginal arts and culture programming as part of 1812 Bicentennial with the City of Toronto and Heritage Canada.

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Operational role in the delivery of affordable home ownership instruments to Aboriginal people in partnership with the City of Toronto’s affordable housing office and the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Research, development and launch of a micro-enterprise loan fund for Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

Led workshop information sessions, forums and individual business coaching for Aboriginal entrepreneurs, re: business plan writing, guerilla marketing, sales basics, branding, cash flow, small business income tax preparation, leveraging the Internet, among others.

Special projects: FashionNation, Thunderbird Fine Arts and Craft shows, Artist Internship Program, annual Toronto Business Association Awards.

Past Member, Voluntary Sector Advisory Committee on Employment—working with Service Canada to improve the delivery of employment services to Canadians.

Conceptualized Miziwe Biik Development Corporation initiative.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Director, Aboriginal Economic Renewal Initiative (AERI)March 2001—October 2003

Responsible for the vision and results achieved by AERI (non-profit) through partnership development between Aboriginal businesses and communities and the private sector.

Resource Consultant, Workplace Equality, Human Resources Division, Bank of Montreal1993—2001Key role in the development and delivery of various Aboriginal employment programs.

COMMUNITY

CCAB, juror Lifetime Achievement and Youth Awards; juror, Aboriginal Economic development Corp Awards, 2015—to date.

Aboriginal Sports and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO); coached Boys U16 soccer team at 2014 Regina North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), bronze medal.

East York and High Park Soccer Clubs: House League and All-Star Coach, Outdoor and Indoor, Certified Levels One and Two by the Ontario Soccer Association, April 2006—2015.

Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Past President, Board of Directors June 1992--February 1997

EDUCATION & TRAINING

BA Specialized Honours English, Glendon College, York University, 1989—at graduation awarded the inaugural bp nichol Creative Writing Prize.

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