Full Name
Chris Sicotte
Title
Executive Director
Company
National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association
Speaker Bio
Chris Sicotte is a proud Cree/Métis and member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (formerly known as Nelson House First Nation), Treaty 5 territory, with family connections to the historic communities of Cumberland House and the Red River Métis Settlement. Chris is the Executive Director of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (“NATOA”), a position he started in October 2022. Prior to this role Chris worked for 30 years in the financial services (banking & insurance) industry. Over the course of his career, he has worked in locations across Canada, including Winnipeg, Brandon, Norway House Cree Nation, Cree Nation of Chisasibi (James Bay Cree of northern Quebec) and Saskatoon. Since 2002 he has been focused on working directly with First Nations governments, Tribal Councils, Economic and Business Development Corporations, Métis governments and Entrepreneurs in providing financial services and advice.
Chris has and continues to serve on numerous Boards and committees. He is the current Board Chair of Sparrow Hawk Developments (the economic development arm of Peepeekisis Cree Nation). In June 2022, through an Order in Council, Chris was appointed a Director of the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) for a 4-year term and in March 2024 was appointed Vice Chair. He is also the former Board Chair of Kahkewistahaw Economic Management Corporation, former Chair of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, former Chair of the City of Saskatoon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, and former Board Chair of AFOA Canada.
In May 2023 Chris participated in the AFOA Canada/Harvard University “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” course at Harvard Business School. As one of 83 participants from across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand he had the opportunity to live on campus for a one-week intensive course designed to empower and inspire Indigenous leaders. This was a unique learning experience and allowed him to network with Indigenous leaders from around the world.
Chris is a speaker and presenter on Indigenous Economic Development, Indigenous Finance, and Urban Reserve development. He remains active as a community builder between the Indigenous and newcomer Canadian communities and the inter-faith community of Saskatoon. In recognition of his volunteer activities Chris was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) in March 2023.
Chris currently resides in Saskatoon (Treaty 6 territory) with his wife Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte and is stepfather to 4 adult children. He is the proud grandfather of 4 grandsons: Albert (“AJ”), Dayshawn, Joseph, and Samuel and one granddaughter Desta. He also holds black belts in 2 martial arts (Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and the Filipino martial art of Kali) and is an advanced brown belt in the Filipino art of Sikaran.
Chris has and continues to serve on numerous Boards and committees. He is the current Board Chair of Sparrow Hawk Developments (the economic development arm of Peepeekisis Cree Nation). In June 2022, through an Order in Council, Chris was appointed a Director of the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) for a 4-year term and in March 2024 was appointed Vice Chair. He is also the former Board Chair of Kahkewistahaw Economic Management Corporation, former Chair of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, former Chair of the City of Saskatoon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, and former Board Chair of AFOA Canada.
In May 2023 Chris participated in the AFOA Canada/Harvard University “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” course at Harvard Business School. As one of 83 participants from across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand he had the opportunity to live on campus for a one-week intensive course designed to empower and inspire Indigenous leaders. This was a unique learning experience and allowed him to network with Indigenous leaders from around the world.
Chris is a speaker and presenter on Indigenous Economic Development, Indigenous Finance, and Urban Reserve development. He remains active as a community builder between the Indigenous and newcomer Canadian communities and the inter-faith community of Saskatoon. In recognition of his volunteer activities Chris was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) in March 2023.
Chris currently resides in Saskatoon (Treaty 6 territory) with his wife Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte and is stepfather to 4 adult children. He is the proud grandfather of 4 grandsons: Albert (“AJ”), Dayshawn, Joseph, and Samuel and one granddaughter Desta. He also holds black belts in 2 martial arts (Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and the Filipino martial art of Kali) and is an advanced brown belt in the Filipino art of Sikaran.
Speaking At
