ABOUT

Anishinaabek Nation member from the Serpent River First Nation in Robinson Huron Treaty is currently in his fourth year at the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin Treaty Secretariate as Executive Director. He served ten years at First Nations Market Housing Fund as Program Manager for Credit Enhancement and Capacity Building.

Prior to that Earl was the Director of theHousing and Infrastructure at Assembly of First Nations from 2004 to 2009. Past managerial experience includes Executive Director at N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, Sudbury; Executive Director at Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (formerly Grand Council #9) - Timmins, Ontario; Health Commissioner - Union of Ontario Indians - Curve Lake First Nation.

Earl has held a positive volunteer record of serving on Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation Board as its first Chairperson during its initial five years. He also has a long political history as well - being the former Chief of his community Serpent River First Nation for twenty years that includes serving 17 years as Chair of the Mamaweswen - North Shore Tribal Council and served as Grand Council Chief of the Anishnawbek Nation. Earl has a passion for being part of improving the lives of our people through his various roles in health, community, economic development and now through the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin Treaty organization. He welcomes the opportunity to serve on the SRFN LP Board.

Mr. John "Jr" Brousseau, a respected elder and dedicated community member, was born in Macleod, Alberta, in 1943. He is the son of Armand Brousseau and Esther Meawasige, tracing his Indigenous lineage through his mother’s family, with his grandfather being Alec Meawasige. Mr. Brousseau currently resides within the territory of Serpent River First Nation, where he remains an active and influential figure. His commitment to the economic well-being of his community is demonstrated by his service on the board of the Serpent River First Nation Limited Partnership and the Agawa LP Board. Furthermore, his association with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is long-standing, having been invited to join the board and involved with the organization since its initial founding.

Mr. Brousseau's professional journey is characterized by a strong work ethic, beginning at a young age. His first job, at the age of 14, was as a horse drawn skitter operator, a testament to his early entry into the workforce. Seeking broader opportunities, he relocated to Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 15. For approximately one year in the city, he was employed by a trucking company, where his duties encompassed delivery of baskets and boxes for produce, and managing the delivery logistics. Following this, he spent three to four years gaining invaluable experience in the trucking industry, working for his uncle's company.

Upon his return to Serpent River First Nation, Mr. Brousseau embarked on the career path that would define a significant portion of his life: as an Electrician. He initially secured work with an electrical company contracted to a mine located in Spragg, a position he held for three years. This tenure marked the formal beginning of his specialized trade. Seeking further advancement, he moved to Sudbury, Ontario. Initially, he worked as a Journeyman for three years, quickly demonstrating leadership skills that led him to supervise a team of men.

His expertise and willingness to travel for work led him to various mining operations across Canada. Notably, his mining experience included a six-month tenure with Redpath in Newfoundland. He also traveled frequently for work in Thunder Bay. This extensive and varied experience culminated in a dedicated 17-year period of employment and leadership at Rio Algom, where he solidified his reputation as a skilled and reliable professional in the mining sector.

Following his retirement from the demanding world of the mines, Mr. Brousseau leveraged his lifetime of experience to establish his own business. This enterprise proved successful and he operated it for an impressive 24 years, continuing his entrepreneurial work until the age of 74.

On a personal level, Mr. Brousseau was married in Cutler in 1969, at the age of 25. He and his wife have raised two children, JJ and Jennifer, establishing a deep and enduring connection to the community and their family legacy. His life reflects a powerful combination of commitment to family, successful entrepreneurship, and dedicated service to the Serpent River First Nation community.

Firman Latimer is the Grandson of Arthur and Katherine Commanda. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University.

Firman has devoted his professional career to supporting First Nation community economic and business development. He is an experienced Indigenous business developer who has worked directly for several First Nation communities over the past 12 years in West Canada. Firman is also the Founder and President of First Nation Power Development Inc. which is a registered Indigenous organization established to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the renewable sector.

He has held key roles in successfully establishing and managing First Nation-owned enterprises that include:

● First Nation Power Development is in the process of acquires viable renewable projects and establishes structures that create equal or majority Indigenous ownership with controlling interest for our strategic community partners.

● The O’Chiese Business & Investment Centre, which currently manages a variety of business and limited partnerships, including oil and gas services, retail, heavy equipment and fluid hauling, high speed internet, gaming and property management.

● The Okanagan Indian Band Group of Companies, which was started to run the Band’s economic activities; markets include forestry, real estate development, aggregate and construction supplies, and (under negotiation) critical utilities.

Firman understands the First Nation community’s environment, which has contributed to his success in building businesses and economies in these areas. In his senior management and executive positions, he has been responsible for building and managing governance structures that grew to overseeing 100-plus employees in a variety of business operations with a combined annual revenues of over $40 Million per year. He has experience in business start-up, First Nation-led industry negotiations, strategic business planning, business venture structuring, and project management, and has been actively involved in raising capital and overseeing business operations. He has led business development ventures relating to land development, commercial development, energy exploration, oil field services, timber harvesting and forestry licenses management, retail, gravel pits and aggregate operations, contracting and heavy equipment, and casino and hospitality.

Zane Johnston is the Youth Director of the Serpent River First Nation Limited Partnership Board. He is a proud Anishinaabe from Serpent River First Nation who currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Zane graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Sociology. He is back in school working towards getting his honours for this degree and is hoping to further his schooling with a masters or degree in environmental management.

He is currently working for Indigenous Services Canada as Jr Policy Analyst in their Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector where he has been employed for over 5 years. Zane is also a member of The Waterways Collective providing land-based programming to Indigenous Youth.

It has always been my passion to work for and support Indigenous Peoples.

Ever since I was young I have wanted to work towards supporting Indigenous Peoples and my community succeed and advance towards self-determination.

I think that the Serpent River Limited Partnership is well placed to start creating economic opportunities for capital growth and community growth through the various partnerships that are created. I am very happy to be a part of this board and look forward to the ways that we can advance Serpent River First Nation and its peoples.

Coming soon.