Appointee Biographies

DARREN HARPER

Darren Harper is an Indigenous executive, entrepreneur and strategist, known for his work advancing relationships, trust and meaningful outcomes across the energy, resource and infrastructure sectors. Darren brings a deep commitment to Indigenous rights, cultural awareness and collaborative governance to every engagement. With more than 15 years of senior-level experience, Darren has built his companies and consulting practice on the principle that strong relationships come first, business second and an approach that creates transparent, inclusive, and sustainable opportunities for Indigenous communities and industry partners alike. Darren’s areas of expertise include strategic thinking and advisory across resource, energy and linear infrastructure projects; Indigenous protocol and cultural awareness; negotiations and mediation to find zones of possible agreement; and constructing enduring partnerships between Indigenous communities, government agencies, and private-sector organizations. As a recognized thought-leader, Darren has worked internationally, including at forums such as the United Nations, where he has represented Indigenous interests on the global stage. He is also the first Indigenous board member of the Thunder Bay International Airports Authority (YQT) where he provides governance oversight and strategic advice to one of Northwestern Ontario’s major infrastructure hubs. In his roles he excels at bridging cultural contexts, translating between Indigenous worldviews and corporate/government frameworks, and leveraging his entrepreneurial acumen to deliver value-driven outcomes. His leadership style is grounded, people-first, and future-oriented.