AELC Leadership - Founding Board Members

Cheryl Recollet, MSc, EP

President – Director

Cheryl has been the Environmental Coordinator for the Wahnapitae First Nation since 2009. Her primary role there is to develop and coordinate community based environmental management as well as implement environmental components of formalized mining relationships. These include co-chairing joint site-specific environmental committees; reviewing regulatory regimes such as Certificates of Authorization, Permits to Take Water, Site Specific Standards; as well as coordinating environmental capacity development efforts. Cheryl also coordinates Taighwenini Technical and Environmental Services group, a team offering environmental services to Wahnapitae First Nation’s industry partners.

Cheryl has also been involved with the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA) since 2009 with the development of the CAMA youth panel, and continues to coordinate the youth initiatives. Cheryl is the founding President of the Aboriginal Environmental Leadership Circle (AELC), an environmental Circle launched in November 2014.

Cheryl holds a Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Environmental Assessment from McGill University. Her graduate research focussed on First Nation decision making authorities within environmental assessment regimes. Cheryl also recently fulfilled requirements for the Executive Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of Windsor and the Stitt Feld Handy Group, holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Geography and Anthropology (Laurentian University), a Certificate in Applied Geography (Laurentian University), as well as a Diploma in Native Lands Management (Cambrian College); a program that highlights the jurisdictional challenges often associated with First Nation land bases. Throughout her academic career, Cheryl has gained valuable employment experience in varying capacities within First Nation communities and organizations in Canada.

email: cheryl@aboriginal-environment.com

Joseph Wabegijig

Vice President - Director

Joseph is a Civil Engineering professional, his industry sector experience spans: environment, mining, First Nation, non-profit, commercial and residential building sectors. Currently, part of his role is to reduce the environmental impact of remote project camps in severe austere or challenging project site environments. His personal passion is to build positive relations between First Nations and Industry. In 2013, he volunteered as a young professional (Role model) for the Technical Youth Career Outreach Project (TYCOP); an initiative created by the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) to empower Aboriginal youth to pursue careers in science, engineering, technology, mining, trades environmental careers which has been his most rewarding endeavour.

email: joe@aboriginal-environment.com