Melody Lepine

Ms. Lepine is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) from Fort Chipewyan, Alberta. Her traditional teachings in environmental stewardship at a young age motivated her to advance studies in environmental conservation sciences at the University of Alberta and Royal Road University. This balance of teachings in both traditional environmental knowledge and western science has become Melody’s key strength in her professional career. As the Director of the MCFN Government and Industry Relations (GIR), she is responsible for overseeing all government and industry consultation pertaining to resource development within the Mikisew Cree territory. For the past 16 years, she has been managing hundreds of government and industry consultation files, many of which include oil sands environmental impact assessments, regulatory interventions at hearings, and part of the development of consultation protocols, indigenous knowledge studies, cultural impact assessments, negotiating impact benefit agreements and developing a community based environmental monitoring program in her community.