Dianne Tookenay, Senior Consultant
Competencies: First Nations relations, economic development, and resource management
Dianne Tookenay is an experienced professional specializing in First Nations relations, economic development, and resource management. She has held various roles across multiple organizations, focusing on fostering collaboration between First Nations communities and industry stakeholders. From February to July 2024, Ms. Tookenay served as a First Nations Relations consultant for Coniagas Battery Metals, where she collaborated with geological contractors to engage First Nations communities, ensuring compliance with provincial mandates and garnering support for the company’s projects within traditional territories. Between October 2015 and July 2024, she provided First Nations engagement services for Granada Gold Mine Inc., acting as a key liaison to maintain strong corporate relations with the communities associated with the company’s primary assets.
Similarly, from July 2015 to July 2024, Ms. Tookenay managed the consultation and accommodation processes for Nord Precious Metals, ensuring the company’s projects respected the rights and interests of the respective First Nations communities. Earlier in her career, she held positions such as Mineral Development Advisor for a First Nations Tribal Council (August 2012 to May 2014) and Mining Impact Benefit Agreement Coordinator for Matachewan First Nation in 2011. In these roles, she facilitated responses to mineral exploration activities, coordinated community consultations, and oversaw the implementation of impact benefit agreements.
Ms. Tookenay’s extensive experience underscores her commitment to integrating First Nations perspectives into resource development and economic initiatives, ensuring that projects are conducted with respect for Indigenous rights and community interests.
Deb Keen
Competencies: Indigenous rights, healthcare strategy, policy development, and reconciliation-focused partnerships
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Deb Keen is a trusted advisor and leader in Indigenous healthcare strategy, policy development, and reconciliation-focused partnerships. Specializing in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis health initiatives, Deb has successfully led large-scale projects that drive systemic change and foster meaningful collaboration between Indigenous communities, governments, and healthcare organizations across Canada.
As a seasoned First Nations Consultant, Deb offers expertise in program development, funding frameworks, and culturally responsive healthcare strategies. Her work has been instrumental in shaping self-determined Indigenous health priorities, ensuring that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis voices are at the forefront of decision-making.
Previously, Deb served as Director of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Cancer Strategy at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, where she built and maintained partnerships with 29 Indigenous governments and organizations. She spearheaded a $26-million national initiative to improve cancer prevention and care for Indigenous populations and developed a reconciliation plan for healthcare institutions to work effectively with Indigenous partners.
Her career has also included leadership roles in public health, cancer prevention, policy advocacy, and research, where she has directed multi-disciplinary teams and led pan-Canadian projects focused on Indigenous health equity.
Deb holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario and has completed extensive training in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultural competency, equity in healthcare, and system-level change management.
As a consultant, Deb is committed to supporting organizations in building respectful, effective, and sustainable partnerships with Indigenous communities. Her approach is deeply rooted in reconciliation, cultural safety, and the recognition of Indigenous rights to self-determined healthcare solutions.
For organizations seeking a strategic, experienced, and culturally competent Indigenous consultant, Deb Keen brings the leadership, expertise, and collaborative approach needed to make a meaningful impact.