Stacia Loft 

Course Developer; Director, Indigenous Initiatives & EDII programs, Queen’s Law 

Course Developer; Director, Indigenous Initiatives & EDII programs, Queen’s Law

A graduate of Queen’s Law (Law’20), Stacia Loft directs the Queen’s Faculty of Law Indigenous Initiatives & EDII Programs office, as well as serving as Deputy Grand Chief for the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.

Her work at Queen’s Law and in Indigenous communities champions holistic change management policies, with a focus on the development of long-term initiatives that build community and strategic partnerships.  

As course developer, Loft brings a global perspective to Indigenous economic reconciliation, via work for the Province of Ontario, holding various elected First Nation positions, and working with Indigenous youth in Toronto as well as the Commonwealth of Dominica.

She also brings her experience as Deputy Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) to course development, with its direct experience in advocacy and treaty rights issues. Loft’s prior work empowering communities and supporting meaningful pathways to prosperity includes roles as Manager of Justice Programs at the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, as a Band Councillor of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and as an articling student with Amnesty International.

Saga Williams

Principal, AS Williams Consulting; Senior Advisor, External Relations, FNMPC (Member of Curve Lake First Nation) 

Saga Williams is the principal and owner of AS Williams Consulting. She is a band member and resident of Curve Lake First Nation and, through her maternal relations, a member of the Namekosipiing Anishinabeg in the Treaty #3 area. After graduating with an Indigenous Studies (Hons.) degree from Trent University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, Saga was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000.

With over 20 years of experience, Saga has successfully implemented high-profile initiatives in energy, mining, economic and policy development, and land claims settlements.

Saga served a three-year term as an elected Councillor for her community, holding three portfolios and chairing several community-based committees. Her work with First Nations governments and leadership positions has given her expertise in governance structures, policies, and processes. Saga teaches as an Osgoode Hall Law School Adjunct Professor, introducing first-year law students to Indigenous rights and reconciliation, coaches students in the national Indigenous law moot, chaired a national non-profit youth services board, and sits as a Director on several publicly traded mining boards.

Recently, Saga joined the First Nations Major Project Coalition Team, focusing on membership support and outreach, and advising on First Nations involvement in the critical mineral and energy sectors.

Sara Mainville

Managing Partner, JFK Law 

Sara Mainville has been a member of the Ontario bar (2005), the BC bar (2022), and the Saskatchewan bar (2024), with specific matter approvals to practice in Nunavut and Quebec. She holds a Management/Public Administration degree from Lethbridge, a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University, an LLM from the University of Toronto, an Advanced Negotiations certificate from Harvard University, and certificates in ADR, Media Training, and Entertainment Law from Osgoode PD.

During her early practice with a well-known Anishinaabe law firm, Sara completed her LLM and a thesis titled: Manidoo Mazina’igan: An Anishinaabe Perspective Treaty 3, one of the earliest examples of Indigenous constitutional research by a legal practitioner.

Sara works with First Nations and Inuit clients, practicing within both Indigenous legal orders and the Canadian constitutional order. She is seen as a subject-matter expert on Crown-Indigenous relations, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaty 3, and Anishinaabe Inakonigewin. Sara views herself as a lifelong learner, engaging with communities, reading voraciously, and listening intently to understand Indigenous knowledge systems.

Sara serves on the boards of the Ontario Bar Association and the Shine Network and was formerly on the boards of Ecojustice and the Catherine Donnelly Foundation. She loves teaching and is part of a team at JFK Lawyers teaching Nation-building and Inherent Jurisdiction at Osgoode Law School in Toronto. Sara is also the Managing Partner of JFK Law LLP. 

Sara Loft, Law’25

Principal, Tawi:ne Consulting 

Sara Loft is the Founder of Tawi:ne Consulting, an Indigenous-owned company specializing in Indigenous engagement, consultation, project management, policy/governance, and capacity development. She brings extensive experience in Indigenous relations, including her role as Special Advisor to the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Her firm’s understanding of Indigenous community complexities, culture, traditions, and protocol makes Tawi:ne Consulting Inc. an invaluable resource for Stria Lithium.

Ms. Loft has in-depth knowledge of Indigenous issues on local and national levels from her work with government and the private sector, specializing in Indigenous engagement, consultation, and partnerships. Her education and experience have proven results in resource development, renewable energy, First Nation economic development, management and administration consulting, First Nation and Métis engagement and negotiation, project management, federal procurement, and regulatory overview.

Through her work with the Office of Social Innovation at Queen’s University, Ms. Loft has contributed to programs aimed at Indigenous business education, emphasizing corporate-community responsibility and promoting community development. Social responsibility has been important throughout her career, including community youth education programs, Indigenous community events for health and wellness, and volunteering with Indigenous urban programs. Sara has an MPA from Queen’s University, a Bachelor’s from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a certificate in Negotiations and Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor. Ms. Loft is from the Mohawk Nation, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON. 

Cherie Brant

Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law at BLG

Cherie Brant specializes in Indigenous law and commercial practice across diverse sectors, including major energy infrastructure, transmission, and mining projects. She collaborates with First Nations organizations, advising on economic development activities such as project development and financing for significant initiatives. Cherie is a trusted advisor to developers, borrowers, lenders, and governments, guiding them through complex permitting and approvals processes where projects may impact Aboriginal rights and interests.

Cherie frequently provides strategic advice to governments and authorities, addressing barriers to participation faced by First Nations communities in the broader economy. Industry clients in the natural resource, energy, and infrastructure sectors seek Cherie's counsel when developing projects or partnerships with Indigenous groups and addressing constitutionally protected interests of Indigenous nations within Canada.

Tabatha Bull

CEO of Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)

Tabatha Bull is Anishinaabe and a proud member of Nipissing First Nation near North Bay, Ontario. She is the President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, working with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses to strengthen the Indigenous economy and Canadian market. As a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce board, she is committed to improving business competitiveness across all sectors. Tabatha joined CCAB in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer.

An electrical engineer from the University of Waterloo, Tabatha led the First Nations and Métis Relations team at the IESO, Ontario’s electricity system operator. She supports and advises Canada’s energy sector, academics, and organizations to ensure collaboration with Indigenous leaders, communities, industry heads, and government. Tabatha is a member of the Positive Energy Advisory Council and the C.D. Howe Institute’s Energy Policy program.

Passionate about improving Indigenous lives and staying connected to her community, Tabatha serves as a director on the board of Wigwamen Housing Inc., Ontario’s largest urban Indigenous housing provider. She is also active on the board of Young Peoples Theatre in Toronto and the Canadian advisory group to UN Women, promoting women’s economic empowerment in G7 countries.

Clint Davis

President and CEO of Nunasi Corp; lecturer on economic reconciliation at Smith School of Business 

Clint Davis, CEO of North35 Capital Partners, empowers Indigenous governments and economic development corporations to achieve growth by leveraging their unique advantages. Previously, he was Vice-President of Indigenous Banking at TD.

An Inuit from Labrador, Clint chairs the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies, driving economic success with fourteen companies and over $50 million in annual revenue.

Clint holds degrees from Acadia, Dalhousie, and Harvard, and is a Canada-U.S. Fulbright scholar and recipient of multiple prestigious scholarships. 

Abram Benedict

Ontario Regional Chief, Chiefs of Ontario 

Abram Benedict is an Indigenous professional constantly seeking ways to make a meaningful impact. His current position as Ontario Regional Chief shows he is very passionate about communities all across Ontario and Canada. Abram continually strives for the well-being and development opportunities for Indigenous people.

Abram Benedict is a dedicated community leader and serves as the Ontario Regional Chief, supporting 133 First Nations across Ontario. With a strong background in leadership, he spent nine years as a District Chief and another nine years as the Grand Chief for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

Abram Benedict achieved significant milestones during his tenure as Grand Chief, including successfully settling a $239 million land claim. He is renowned for building relationships based on mutual respect and continues to advocate for the rights and well-being of Indigenous communities throughout the region.