1. KENN ROSS
94 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.
CITIZENSHIP
Canadian—Status Indian, Millbrook Mi’kmaq First Nation, Truro, Nova Scotia.
British
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Advisor, Indigenous Relations, Ontario Power Generation
August 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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2. Senior Manager, Aboriginal Relations, Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para Pan Am Games
April 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 Corporation
November 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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3. • 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 Montreal
1993—2001
Key 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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