Gina Wesley

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Gina Wesley, and I am the Director of Economic Development and Commercial Operations for Lac Seul First Nation.

When I was asked what I am most proud of in my role, I found it difficult to point to just one project or accomplishment. What truly stands out to me is seeing the priorities identified by our community move from ideas and plans into real action. For me, economic development begins with listening. It starts with understanding what our members need, what challenges they face, where opportunities are being missed, and what kind of future they envision for Lac Seul. Once we understand those priorities, our responsibility is to create pathways to achieve them.

Through our Strategic Plan and Leakage Study, our members provided us with a clear direction. They spoke about opportunities they wanted to see in the community, but they also shared the barriers that prevent people from accessing meaningful employment and economic success. One of those barriers was transportation. Employment opportunities may exist in nearby communities such as Sioux Lookout, but those opportunities are out of reach if people cannot get to and from work reliably. In response, we pursued funding and developed the Lac Seul Transit Program, helping to connect our members with employment and services.

The studies also highlighted areas where money was leaving our community and identified opportunities to build local economic strength. These findings are helping guide initiatives such as the development of a community-owned accommodations facility and the exploration of acquiring businesses operating within our territory. What makes me proud is not simply that we completed studies or strategic plans, but that we are actively using the information provided by our members to make informed decisions and create meaningful opportunities.

None of this work happens because of one individual. Our Economic Development Department has grown into a team of dedicated professionals, each bringing unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. One of my priorities as a leader is creating an environment where people feel empowered to contribute ideas, take ownership of their work, and continue developing professionally. Building capacity within our department means building capacity within Lac Seul itself. It strengthens our ability to pursue opportunities, manage our own projects and businesses, and respond proactively when development opportunities arise.

This capacity is especially important as major economic opportunities continue to emerge throughout our territory. Our role is not simply to observe development happening around us but to ensure that Lac Seul is actively involved and positioned to benefit from it. We have participated in Impact Benefit Agreements, exploration agreements, transmission-line projects, and various partnerships. However, the true measure of success is not the agreement itself. The real question is what tangible benefits those agreements create for our people. Do they generate jobs for our members? Do they create procurement opportunities for our businesses? Do they provide training and skill development? Do they create pathways for ownership and long-term participation? These are the conversations that guide our work because economic development should leave a lasting legacy for our community.

Ultimately, that is why I love what I do. I care deeply about Lac Seul and about creating opportunities that will benefit future generations. To me, self-sufficiency does not mean doing everything alone. It means creating more opportunities for our members, increasing community ownership, strengthening local expertise, and ensuring that the benefits of development continue long after a project is completed.

While there is still much work ahead of us, I am incredibly encouraged by how far we have come. When I look at the progress we have made and the opportunities that lie ahead, I am excited about the future of Lac Seul First Nation.

I would also like to recognize the people who make this work possible. Although my name may be associated with this nomination, the achievements I have spoken about tonight belong to many people. I am grateful for our dedicated staff, our leadership, our community members who generously share their ideas and perspectives, and our partners who have helped move these initiatives forward.

Being nominated for this award is a tremendous honour. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening at Lac Seul First Nation and the vision our community continues to pursue together.

We are building something meaningful, something sustainable, and something that will benefit generations to come. I am proud to be part of that journey, and I am excited to see where it leads us next.

Miigwetch.

Gina Wesley, Lac Seul First Nation