National Aboriginal Achievement Award Recipient

In 2008 Chief Jim Boucher was recognized at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for his work in the field of Business and Commerce.  This award recognized his tireless efforts to help his community develop and prosper all the while remaining sincere and honoring the traditions of the First Nations people.  Chief Boucher is considered one of the most influential people in Alberta, and one of the most successful Aboriginal leaders in Canada.  

Fort McKay is situated in the heart of Canada’s Athabasca oil sands. Some say it is surrounded by industrial development. Chief Boucher, however, recognized as a young chief in the 1980s, that the community’s location not only posed issues, but also offered enormous opportunity. As a result, he has strategically taken advantage of Fort McKay's
geographical location to enhance the community’s
social and economic conditions through effective
partnerships with industry and government and by
developing and sustaining successful First Nation
owned businesses that create economic wealth and
opportunity.   

Chairman of the Board of the Fort McKay Group of Companies
Chief Boucher is Chairman of the Board of the Fort McKay Group of Companies (FMGC), which operates six limited companies, 100% owned and controlled by the Fort McKay First Nation, and is involved in a number of joint venture partnerships. Under Chief Boucher’s vision and leadership, the FMGC has grown into one of the most successful First Nation-owned business ventures in Canada, boasting annual revenues in excess of $100 million.

Fort McKay Industry Relation Corporation (IRC)
In 1998, following the announcement that the Athabasca oil sands would be aggressively developed; Chief Boucher directed the formation of the Fort McKay Industry Relations Corporation (IRC). The IRC’s mandate was to build relationships with industry so Fort McKay would benefit from oil sands development, to design and facilitate consultation processes and to advocate on behalf of Fort McKay in matters relating to environmental protection and social and economic development. Because of Chief Boucher’s foresight, Fort McKay now has 7 environmental and 6 socioeconomic agreements with oil sands, forestry and mineral companies.

Athabasca Tribal Council
In 1988, he was instrumental in the formation of the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) was developed to give voice to the collective interests of the region’s five First Nations. In 1999, Chief Boucher led the ATC in an initiative to extend oil sands-based opportunities to the other four First Nations through the multi-sectoral Athabasca Tribal Council All Parties Core Agreement – a partnership among the five First Nations, the federal, provincial and municipal governments and more than 20 industrial developers.    

Accomplishments
Chief Boucher has always recognized that Fort McKay’s success required his participation at the provincial, national and international levels. This insight combined with the respect governments and corporate leaders have for his leadership abilities, has provided Chief Boucher with opportunities to serve the interests of Fort McKay on a larger stage.  His accomplishments at various forums include:  

• 2008 Recipient of the Business and Commerce Award at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
  
  
• In 2003 Chief Boucher was recognized as of the 50 most influential people in Alberta by Venture Magazine
  
  
• Served as the Chair of the Athabasca Tribal Council for 11 years
  
  
• Was one of the founders of the Treaty 8 First Nation of Alberta.  From 1997- 2001, he sat on the Executive Board of Chiefs for the Treaty 8 First Nation of Alberta. He strongly supported the Treaty 8 bilateral process. From November of 1999- June 0f 2001, he was Grand Chief of the Treaty 8 First Nation of Alberta.
  
  
• In 1993, he served on the Alberta Pacific Environmental Review Board.
  
  
• In April of 2002, he received the Celebrating Excellence Distinguished Achievement Provincial Award from the public Institutes of Alberta.
  
  
• He was invited to join former Prime Minister; Jean Chrétien on a business trip to Japan in 1999.  This trip had the objective of promoting Canada in order to increase trade between Japan and Canada.

One of Jim’s most significant accomplishments was the signing of Fort McKay’s Treaty Land Entitlement Settlement Agreement in 2003. Jim’s strategic and conciliatory approach to this all-important matter reduced the amount of time it took to negotiate and finalize the Settlement. The Settlement corrected errors in relation to the allocation of land for Fort McKay First Nation when Treaty 8 land surveys were completed in 1915. This validation was fought for since 1986, and achieved in 1999, allowing the Fort McKay First Nation to proceed with the negotiation process to achieve the settlement. The Settlement gave Fort McKay 23000 acres of land.  Some of these lands contain oil sands resources that, when developed in the future, will provide a significant source of revenue for Fort McKay First Nation. The settlement also provided a $40 million economic compensation included for loss of land use.  A “Heritage Trust” has been established to preserve the funds for future generations and provide annual investment income for all members of Fort McKay First Nation.

Basis for Success
Chief Boucher says the basis for much of his success comes from “the combination of perseverance and having the right attitude.” Those who have worked with and for him will say his success is also due to his clear vision, consistent direction, his loyalty, and mentorship abilities.  To many, his is not only a chief, a peer, a supervisor or a client -- he is an ‘Elder’ in the best and truest sense of the word. 

Family Matters
On the home front, Chief Boucher is the proud parent of son Jonathan and daughter, Jenica Boucher. He is the equally proud grandfather to Kayden Boucher.

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