Ken Cameron is the former Chief of the Saulteau First Nations. From the beginning of his entrepreneurial ventures, Ken’s goal was to change the perception of Indigenous companies by promoting employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people.
As Chief, Ken led important initiatives in business, clean energy, wildlife preservation, government regulatory policies and community health. He was part of a team behind the revitalization of Saulteau’s civil construction company 4 Evergreen Resources as well as the development and establishment of Saulteau owned companies Aski Reclamation, a reclamation services company, and Northwind Supplies, an industrial supply company based in Chetwynd, BC.
In 2017, the Twin Sisters Native Plants Nursery business partnership between Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations, was recognized with a BC Indigenous Business Award. Established in 2012 with a goal of being a leader in native plant propagation and distribution in the province, Twin Sisters serves as a model for other Nations to emulate. In his acceptance speech, Ken respectfully referenced how fitting it is that women, known as ‘life-givers’, were leading the way with this important reclamation venture.
Under his leadership, the community was awarded a multi-million dollar grant for the construction of a new Cultural Centre and took steps to address food security and sustainability. In 2018, he led the development of the largest First Nations majority-owned wind energy project in BC and implemented a solar project in his community, installing photovoltaic panels on Elders’ homes.
A mentor to young Indigenous entrepreneurs, Ken has spent his life committed to improving the lives of people in his community and beyond, mandating maximum procurement on projects to benefit the Saulteau First Nations partnerships and member-owned businesses. Ken continues to support community-based initiatives such as the “Linda and Krystina House”, a transition house for women and children in need of safe housing.
With a deep knowledge and respect for his Indigenous culture and the natural landscape of the region, Ken has made a positive impact in one of the most important economic regions in the natural resources sector, while balancing environmental sustainability and economic growth for Indigenous communities.
