Board Members

Board Composition
The GRRB consists of six members, six alternate members and a chairperson. Each Board member is nominated to serve a term of not more than five years and members can be reappointed. Persons serve on the Board through a nomination and appointment process set out by terms of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA 12.8.3):
Nominations
The Gwich’in Tribal Council acts on behalf of the Gwich’in to nominate persons to serve as Board members. Often the GTC nominations to the Board are persons of Gwich’in heritage.Nominations on behalf of government are made by the Government of the Northwest Territories and by the Government of Canada.
The Board members themselves nominate their Chairperson and must select someone who is a resident of the Gwich’in Settlement Area.
Appointments
All nominations are sent to the Governor in Council and to the Executive Council of the Government of the Northwest Territories, who then jointly make the appointments of GRRB members as Governor in Council appointments. The GRRB describes itself as a co-management body because there is intentionally a balance of appointments from Gwich’in and government nominees: three members and three alternate members of the Board are appointed from nominations made by the Gwich’in and three members and three alternate members are appointed from nominations made by government.Decision Making
As a body and as individual Board members, the GRRB acts in the public interest independent of member nominating agency or department. Members are not considered to have a conflict of interest simply because they may be public servants or employees of Gwich’in organizations. Having a mix of member appointments from Gwich’in and government nominations provides the diversity and balance needed to allow the Board to make informed decisions.
Board STRUCTURE
GRRB CHAIRPERSON | ||
Name | Expiry Date | Nominating Party |
Vacant |
| GRRB |
FULL MEMBER APPOINTMENTS | ||
Name | Expiry Date | Nominating Party |
April 12, 2022 | GTC | |
February 6, 2023 | GTC | |
William Koe – Acting Chairperson | August 27, 2024 | GTC |
August 27, 2024 | Canada | |
August 27, 2024 | Canada | |
Vacant |
| GNWT |
ALTERNATE MEMBER APPOINTMENTS | ||
Name | Expiry Date | Nominating Party |
February 6, 2023 | GTC | |
June 19, 2024 | GTC | |
Vacant |
| GTC |
August 27, 2024 | Canada | |
August 27, 2024 | Canada | |
Vacant |
| GNWT |
Board MEMBERS
GRRB Chairperson – Vacant*GRRB is currently seeking expressions of interest for this appointment* |
GTC Full Board Member – Margaret Begg
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GTC Full Board Member – Sam Bullock
In 1992, Sam and his wife Renata created Bullocks’ Bistro, a 35-seat fish ‘n’ chip eatery in Yellowknife’s Oldtown. The restaurant was sold in April 2016. As a small business entrepreneur and owner, Sam understands day-to-day challenges of Northern business and current wildlife issues and is keenly interested in legal aspects of Northern commercial fishing. It is a duty and an honour for Sam to serve as a Board member. He looks forward to assisting in the many urgent issues before the Gwich’in nation.
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GTC Full Board Member and Acting Chairperson – William Koe
William was elected to the Chief and Council working in various departments for the Tetlit Gwich’in Council. At the time, all Board members were put to work in different departments. In 1995, he decided to take on another challenge. William put his name forward to run for Chief, was successful and served his people from 1996 to 1999. Shortly after, he ran for Mayor and served for two years up until 2001. In 2010, he once again ran for Chief and successfully served two terms, completing his tenure in 2016. In September 2018, William accepted a position with the Government of the NWT as a Community Wellness Worker. He is still working in the position. William is also the Mayor of Fort McPherson. |
Canada Full Board Member – Doug Doan
Now retired from government, Doug and his wife live in Yellowknife.
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Canada Full Board Member – Burt Hunt
Burt now volunteers as chair of his town’s Municipal Planning Commission and as president of a group that provides horse riding opportunities for handicapped children and adults. He retains a keen interest in northern issues and in environmental issues particularly and is looking very forward to renewing acquaintances in the GSA and contributing to the excellent work of the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board. |
GNWT Full Board Member – Vacant*appointment for this position is currently underway*
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GTC Alternate Board Member – Charlie Snowshoe
A hunter and trapper in the Fort McPherson area, Charlie is very active in his community. He has held many other positions including: Representative on the Tetlit Gwich’in Renewable Resources Council; Vice chair of the Mackenzie Beaufort Delta Beaufort Sea Land Use Planning Commission; Band Counselor; Member of the Peel River Alcohol Society; Mayor of the hamlet of Fort McPherson; Settlement Council of Fort McPherson Counselor and Chairperson; Vice-President, Northern Region, for the Dene Nation; Board member of the Western Arctic Visitors Association (WAVA). Charlie was also involved in the negotiations on the Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement, the Yukon overlap and the Dene Metis and Gwich’in land claims. |
GTC Alternate Board Member – Roger Fraser
After high school, Roger spent the first 20 years working for Back Bay Welding in Yellowknife. Then he decided to further his education and obtained a diploma in Natural Resources from Arctic College. He was hired by the Federal Government as a Fishery Officer and a Forestry and Wildlife Officer for the Territorial government for 27 1/2 years (the last seven and a half years in management). Roger retired two years ago and started a small business. He has also volunteered for many years with different groups, including: Chair of the North Slave Housing Board, sits on the Aboriginal Advisory Board to the RCMP and Chair for the Yellowknife Gwich’in. Roger looks forward to serving on the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board, using his knowledge from his many years as a Forestry/Wildlife Officer and a traditional hunter/trapper to help preserve the renewable resources for many generations to come. |
GTC Alternate Board Member – Vacant |
Canada Alternate Board Member – Myra Robertson
Term expiry: June 27, 2024 |
Canada Alternate Board Member – Ron Allen
Since then, Ron has been working in the private sector as a consultant/contractor doing program reviews, staffing, occasional biological field work for GNWT, teaching Canadian Firearms Safety Courses, seasonal equipment operation and maintenance for a lodge, etc. His hobbies tend to be hunting and fishing related and he likes to be “on the land” frequently. |
GNWT Alternate Board Member – Vacant*Appointment for this position is currently underway* |
GNWT Former Full Board Member – Elizabeth Hansen
Liz was a Gwich’in participant and a retired teacher of 33 years. She had been a Board Member since May 2001. She also dedicated her time to various traditional knowledge projects, including the Khaii Luk (Travaillant Lake traditional fishing knowledge) Study. |