LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
Leadership Profiles
Headman Floyd North
Project Director
Oversees consultation, partnerships, cultural governance, and land-based operations.
Floyd brings decades of experience in the Natural Resources, Exploration, Mining, and Forestry sectors. As both Project Director and Headman of Kiciwapa Cree Nation, he provides strategic leadership grounded in advocacy, collaboration, and respect for Indigenous rights. Floyd’s strong relationships with government, industry, and First Nations across Manitoba continue to advance KCN’s vision for responsible development and self-determination
Headman
Donnell Nice
Exploration Manager
Supports site monitoring, cultural safety, community representation, and exploration coordination.
Donnell serves as Headman and Exploration Manager for Kiciwapa Cree Nation. He oversees exploration activities across KCN’s territory, ensuring community participation and workforce development remain central to every project. With extensive experience in fieldwork and logistics, Donnell leads by example — strengthening partnerships between industry and Indigenous communities through hands-on collaboration and respect.
Headman Joe Cook
Natural Resources Manager
Supports land stewardship and community responsibilities through environmental protection rooted in Cree values.
Joe is both Headman and Natural Resources Manager for Kiciwapa Cree Nation. He combines traditional knowledge with modern environmental practices to guide KCN’s stewardship of land, water, and wildlife. Joe’s leadership ensures that sustainability, cultural values, and respect for the land remain at the heart of every initiative, connecting the Nation’s past and future through land-based stewardship.
Janessa Kosar North
Chief Executive Officer
Leads Nation governance, strategic partnerships, organizational development, and Nation-building initiatives.
Janessa leads Kiciwapa Cree Nation’s strategic direction and partnerships with an entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented approach. With experience in business and partnership development, she excels at turning ideas into action and building strong, lasting relationships. Her growing focus on Indigenous law and governance ensures that KCN’s progress is guided by innovation, accountability, and self-determination.
Lacee Buechler
Office Manager
Manages Nation administration, communications, coordination, and organizational systems that support day-to-day operations.
​Lacee manages KCN’s administration with precision and professionalism, overseeing financial processes, communications, and daily operations. With leadership experience in First Nations governance and specialized training in bookkeeping, she ensures the smooth and transparent functioning of all organizational activities. Lacee’s commitment to accountability and continuous learning makes her an essential pillar of KCN’s leadership team.
Travis Buechler
Economic Development Manager
Advances Nation-led business development, joint ventures, revenue opportunities, and long-term economic growth.
Travis leads KCN’s economic development initiatives, connecting Nation-owned ventures with local training, employment, and partnership opportunities. His background in industry operations provides practical insight into how community and corporate interests can align for mutual success. Travis works to ensure that every project contributes to long-term capacity-building, infrastructure growth, and sustainable prosperity.
Stephen Huyghebaert
Operations & GIS Coordinator
Improves internal systems, supports operational workflows, develops GIS mapping tools, and builds SOPs for land-based information management.
Stephen supports KCN by improving internal systems, streamlining operational workflows, and coordinating cross-department processes. He leads GIS mapping and the development of land-based information tools that strengthen reporting, planning, and environmental oversight. Stephen builds SOPs, organizes data structures, and supports technological improvements that help the Nation work more efficiently. His role bridges operations, mapping, and system development to ensure that programs across KCN have the tools, processes, and information needed to succeed.
Mysti Kosar
Financial Operations Coordinator
Oversees Nation financial tracking, project reporting, payment processing, and funding compliance across all programs.
Mysti supports Kiciwapa Cree Nation’s financial management and reporting, ensuring clarity and consistency across departments. She brings a strong background in accounting and financial operations with major organizations, contributing valuable expertise in reconciliation, budgeting, and process improvement. Her organized approach strengthens transparency, accountability, and efficiency within KCN’s operations.
Colin Robinson
Director of Research, Policy & Development
Supports governance, policy development, intergovernmental coordination, long-term planning, and nation-led research.
Colin serves as the Director of Research, Policy & Development for Kiciwapa Cree Nation. He leads strategic research, policy frameworks, and development planning that strengthen KCN’s governance, economic growth, and long-term vision. Colin works closely with leadership, departments, and community members to ensure decisions, partnerships, and nation-building initiatives are guided by strong research, cultural alignment, and forward-looking strategies.
Departments
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Governance & Administration
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Exploration & Environmental Oversight
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Forestry & Natural Resources
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Economic Development
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Research, Policy & Development
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Finance
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Media & Communications
Governance Principles
Respect
Cultural grounding
Transparency
Collective decision-making
Land and community protection