CLFN Woman Appointed on National Energy Board

National Energy Board responsible for approving pipelines

A Cold Lake First Nations woman, Wilma Jacknife, has been appointed on the National Energy Board of Canada. As one of four temporary members of the National Energy Board, Jacknife will be traveling along the  proposed route of the Energy East Pipeline, speaking and consulting with the affected communities along the way.

Prior to this appointment, Jacknife, an Indigenous Lawyer, served as legal council for CLFN for eleven year.  Her work concentrates on Indigenous and First Nations Law, First Nations Governance and negotiating Impact Benefit Agreements.

It is nice to see one of our own achieve such an accomplishment. Congratulations Wilma. – Chief Bernice Martial CLFN

According to the National Energy Board website, during Jacknife’s time as legal council for the Nation, she worked on various large economic and business development projects, including settlement of the Cold Lake First Nations’ long-outstanding land claim; designation of a parcel of reserve land for business and economic purposes; and the development of the Casino Dene as its anchor tenant.

Wilma’s professional background would definitely make her an excellent member to the National Energy Board”. – Councillor Dwayne Nest CLFN

She also negotiated impact benefit agreements with major resource operators in the Cold Lake region that resulted in economic and social development of community members and the development of First Nation–owned businesses, including Primco Dene LLP and its business divisions, which currently employ about 800 people, 80 percent of whom are First Nations, in camp servicing and related commercial enterprises in the Cold Lake area.

Wilma holds a Doctor of Juridical Science from the University of Arizona, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia and two Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta. She is a Member of the Indigenous Bar Association and Member of the Law Society of Alberta.