Community Affairs First Nations

CLIFF GRANT

****-*** ******** ******, *********, BC V6B 1A8 778-***-**** ************@*****.***

Haisla Nation Member 676*******

Career Profile

Accomplished, goal-oriented leader with over twenty years of experience encompassing the areas of Indigenous relations, resource development, community affairs and stakeholder engagement. MBA Candidate through SFU Bachelor’s Degree, complemented by an Accredited Media Relations Certification. Proven leadership and influential abilities, exemplified through proficiency in leading multi-disciplinary teams and influencing diverse groups within the organization and in external environments. Exceptionally strong strategic, tactical planning, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Comprehensive understanding of essential concepts of First Nation governance. Strong background in the CMHC Section 95 Housing Program. Unique strategist, with expertise in developing and implementing conflict management strategies between parties. Exceptional interpersonal skills, with proficiency in developing and maintaining professional relationships, representing industry interests and maintaining effective media and public relations. Strong business acumen, reflected in a career track record of exemplary achievements.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

● Aboriginal Relations ● Community Affairs ● Team Leadership ● First Nations Governance

● First Nations business functions (education, social, culture, financial, health and wellness, lands and resources and economic development) ● Capacity Development

● Conflict Management Strategies ● Policy review ● Analytical problem solving ● Effective written communication skills ● Strategic Planning ● Project Management

● Budget Management ● Community Awareness ● Provincial Aboriginal Committee Coordination

● Aboriginal TV Series Development (Closer to Home – Aboriginal Housing Series)

● Arrears Management ● Proposal Evaluation

● Staff Training & Development ● Research Projects

● Program Development ● Effective facilitation and consensus building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), West Vancouver, BC

Director, Strategic Relations, February 4, 2019 – October 2, 2024

Provide leadership to all AHMA departments and Board of Directors on First Nation governance, culture, and traditions

Review BC Housing Reconciliation documents

Review all AHMA policies and edit to accommodate current environment

Update AHMA’s vision, operational goals, objectives and strategic plans

Development and establishment of corporate goals, objectives and strategies related to enhancing the success of the AHMA Strategic Plan

Informed of developments on the areas of government relations and stakeholder relationships to help AHMA operate with initiative and innovation in anticipation of major program and funding announcements

Collaborate with other Directors to develop performance measures and monitoring of AHMA’s activities

Identifies key projects that have significant impact on the organizational goals and objectives and develop plans to push projects to completion

Develop pathway for AHMA towards an autonomous (For Indigenous by Indigenous) future

Review final financial budgets for submission to BC Housing for approval

Provide briefings for Executive Leadership Team and CEO (BoD)

Develop Engagement strategy to build strong relationships to accommodate Ministers, MLA’s, MP’s, Mayors to gain support for the AHMA Urban Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy – A $7.3 Billion ask to become an autonomous organization that reports directly to the Minister of Housing and not BC Housing

Provide direction and guidance to department directors, review annual work plans, review proposals/grant writing to ensure compliance with AHMA values and vision

Review employee handbook with annual revisions

Research BC First Nations communities prior to meeting to identify their needs and work towards solutions that benefit all

Presentations (Local, Provincial and National) to establish AHMA identity and gain endorsements for the strategy

Meet with Stakeholders to build long-term sustainable working relationships: ISC, FNHIC, CMHC, BC Housing, FNHA, FNESC, MCFD, MIRR, Health Canada, BC Hydro, Fortis, BCNPHA, CHF-BC,

Meet with universities across Canada to design and apply for research grants for projects pertinent to Urban Indigenous Housing

National working groups to influence National Housing Policies

HAISLA NATION COUNCIL, Kitamaat, BC

Manager, Education and Employment May 2017 – December 218

Manage Departments - Education, Employment, Active Measures, Haisla Driving School, Culture and Language, Curriculum Development, Data Entry, Working Warriors, Capacity Budget, Summer Students

FNLP Board of Directors

Industry, Post-Secondary and Government Liaison

VANCOUVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION, City of Vancouver, BC

Aboriginal Planner, Temporary-Fulltime, April – September 2016

Research land and financial supports to develop affordable housing in Vancouver

CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORPORATION, Vancouver, BC

Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Capacity Development, 1999-2015

Have worked with AHMA in the past to provide capacity development workshops.

Managed provincial housing committees and coordinate housing forums and related services for diverse groups including First Nations stakeholders and government representatives

Organized and delivered numerous housing workshops – Basic Home Maintenance, Property Management, Arrears Management, Client counseling, Build Strategic Housing Plans to Improve operations

Developed partnerships with provincial educational institutions to deliver building inspector training and property management for FN individuals.

Conducted community meetings aimed at raising awareness of Aboriginal Housing issues.

Demonstrated strong influential abilities in persuading and influencing diverse groups within the organization and in external environments.

Represented organizational and industry’s interests with the public on a local, provincial and national level

Developed and implemented conflict management strategies to address and resolve a diverse range of group situations.

Interfaced with stakeholders regarding major resource projects and regulatory processes for resource development.

Developed annual work plans and managed budgets.

Implemented strategies to facilitate effective public relations and media relations.

Evaluated proposals for research and project development funding.

Delivered courses for a certificate program for Community Economical Development Professionals - Sustainability Development and CED for Simon Frazer University (2005-06).

Coordinated new research projects, such as FN Housing Authority and Arrears Management.

Encouraged innovation in various housing projects implemented in British Columbia & the Yukon.

Coordinated training development and promotional electronic, audio-visual, and print materials.

CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORPORATION, Vancouver, BC (continued)

Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Capacity Development, 1999-Present

Key Accomplishments:

Project management with consultants to develop a salary grid for all AHMA community project managers.

Acquired recent consulting experience with the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs pertaining to energy efficiency policies for government implementation to First Nation leadership.

Currently working in tandem with a foreign development company, while assisting with the production of economic development projects.

Contributions toward designing a remote sustainable community project (high-tech wastewater, wind, solar and geothermal energy), which will be showcased on a national level.

Leveraged hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through strong relationships with partners.

Lead a multi-disciplinary team to facilitate access to skills development and information transfer in all aspects of Aboriginal housing in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Developed a TV series called Closer to Home (currently being aired on APTN and CBC) focused on Aboriginal Housing Issues across the nation.

Coordinated a Memorandum of Understanding signing between Federal, Provincial and FN Governments regarding Aboriginal Housing On/Off Reserve.

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, Vancouver, BC

Coordinator, First Nations Professional Sciences Access Program, 1995-1998

Liaised with UBC Faculties and FN communities to provide services for students.

Developed highly effective programs and culturally relevant curriculum for students.

Presented written program reports to the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training.

Mentored and counseled students; hired and supervised five staff members.

Key Accomplishments:

Developed a program allowing FN students to bridge high school courses to a science-based faculty (Engineering, Science, Forestry, and Agriculture).

Facilitated partnerships between FN House of Learning, UBC Faculties and Departments and the Provincial Ministry.

Raised funding through BC Hydro to build a private computer lab for students

Built a mentoring program for student entering the faculty of Applied Science for all engineering students

Presented FN educational issues at educational conferences throughout North America to audiences of different ages and backgrounds.

Prepared more Aboriginal students to enter science related disciplines than had been previously achieved in the entire history of the university, over a four-year period.

MINISTRY OF FORESTS, Terrace, BC

Administrative Office Forestry Coordinator/Unit Crew Supervisor, 1991-1995

Liaised with various parties, including the Ministry of Forests, the Kitamaat Village Council and decision makers in the aboriginal community regarding issues such as archaeological overviews, tree farm licenses, wood lots, and job opportunities.

Promoted opportunities aimed at the economic development of FN in the forest sector.

Developed a framework of practices allowing district staff to implement government policies aimed at providing direct assistance to FN.

Key Accomplishments:

Successfully implemented the Ministry’s policies for First Nations.

Designed and implemented training programs, subsequently enhancing FN job creation and economic development.

EDUCATION

MBA Candidate, Simon Fraser University 2017 - Present

Aboriginal and Business Leadership

Bachelor of Education, Biological Sciences & Physical Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

CERTIFICATIONS

Accredited Media Relations Certification

Aboriginal Leadership and Management Development

Conflict Resolution Certification

Project Management Certification

Alberta Ministry of Education Teaching Certification (1993-present)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Spotlight on Leadership Fundamentals of Effective Leadership (refresher course)

Industrial First Aid Certificate, Level C

Level I and II Coaching Certification Ice Hockey and Basketball

BC Umpire Certification Baseball and Softball

Software Proficiency: Microsoft Office, Lotus Smart Suite, and Reflections Mainframe

MEMBERSHIPS

Kitamaat First Nation Band Member, Status Number: 676*******

VOLUNTEER WORK

The Kettle Society

Board of Directors (2 terms)

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services

Volunteer Support Work (past 10 years)

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