Leadership

Sheldon Wuttunee
​President/CEO 

Sheldon is a member of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, in west-central Saskatchewan, where he has previously served as Chief. He served his community in the capacity of Chief for two consecutive terms from 2006 to 2010. Sheldon was involved in the founding of the Battlefords’ Agency Tribal Chiefs, a Tribal Council consisting of 6 First Nations.

Sheldon Wuttunee, previously served as an Educator/Principal from 2001 – 2006. In September of 2009 Mr. Wuttunee accepted the position of President/CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence. While in the seat as a Chief Sheldon Wuttunee was a Board Member of the Indian Resource Council of Canada, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority SIGA, Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Tribal Council, and the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence.

​Sheldon Wuttunee holds a Bachelor of Education degree (With Distinction 2001) from The University of Saskatchewan, as well as possesses many education awards: Bates Award (U of S – Department of Education), Aurora Award (Indian Teacher Education Program 2001), Circle of Honour Award (FSIN – Post Secondary 2002) as well as a recipient of a First Nation award for Social Responsibility in 2009.
Participated in an International Internship to New Zealand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2001-2002)

Melissa Wuttunee
​Executive Assistant/Office Manager

Melissa L. Wuttunee has worked for the last decade in the field of Business Administration. Melissa has held corporate positions with the Federal, Crown, Municipal, as well as at the First Nations Band level in the areas of Finance, Management, and Administration. In May of 2008, Ms. Wuttunee accepted the position of Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence.
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​Melissa Wuttunee has her Management Studies II Diploma from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), and also has attended the College of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan. Melissa was also selected amongst 9 Canadians to participate in an International Internship to New Zealand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2005-2006)

Steven Rowe
Strategic Engagement Coordinator

Steven was born and raised on Treaty 6 territory and specializes in the development and implementation of strategies to advance First Nations’ participation in natural resource management and energy development. Steven has a strong background in project management that is founded on the good relations and trust he builds with First Nations partners, industry and government stakeholders. Steven is regularly called upon to provide advice, analysis, and lead strategic planning to support decision-making by First Nations leadership, lands and resources staff and consultation departments.  Steven is an experienced communicator and facilitator in a range of complex and difficult situations and was recognized by the province of Alberta for his lead role in crisis communications during the 2011 Slave Lake wildfires and played a key role in the co-development of energy infrastructure emergency response planning coordination between industry and multiple levels of government in the Montréal area in 2017. In 2018, Steven had the honour of being blanketed by Treaty 4 Elders for his work to advance meaningful Indigenous oversight over important cultural areas impacted by energy infrastructure development.  Early in his career, Steven was awarded the 2001 Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.  Steven has a master’s degree in conflict studies from Kings College London (UK) and throughout his 25+ year career working in government, academia, media, and industry across Canada and in Europe, has developed a deep understanding of the politics and economy of natural resource and energy development.  Steven is dedicated to applying this knowledge to advance positive outcomes for First Nations communities in their traditional territories and Treaty lands that reflect their unique and distinct cultures and knowledge.