ABOUT
Four Our Future Indigenous Economics Ltd. (“Four Our Future”) is an Indigenous-owned corporation founded by Indigenous leaders in Canada. Four Our Future specializes in developing and implementing sustainably-focused strategic plans, business plans and community economic development models.
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Our team identifies and addresses the dichotomy between Western-corporate business models and more ‘holistic’ Indigenous/community development models. We draw from our collective experiences living, working and learning from over 300 of Canada’s 630+ Indigenous governments.
Meet The Team
Chief Operating Officer: David Fierro
Adviser:
Chief Gibby Jacob
Employment and Training Manager:Gail Bitternose
Chief Gibby Jacob, whose ancestral name is Kákeltn siyám, carries the title of hereditary Chief and is a member of the Squamish Nation located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Chief Gilbert "Gibby" Jacob is one of the most influential Native leaders in Canada. He is a man with quiet power and was twice recognized as a significant member of society and honoured with Vancouver Magazine's Power 50 Award. The Squamish Nation with the leadership of Chief Gibby Jacob will be worth $5 Billion from business revenue, royalties and real estate assets by 2021.
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Chief Gibby Jacob helped broker the deal that established the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, as well as the 2010 Olympic land Legacy and amongst other Legacies that resulted in the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations gaining several tracts of land in the Whistler community.
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Chief Jacob's knowledge and experience provides direction and liaison duties for special projects and files. This includes negotiations between the various levels of government (Ministerial, Deputy Minister levels), stakeholders, partners and the Nation on projects dealing with natural resources, accommodation, and consultation.
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CEO:
Tamara Goddard
Tamara has an extraordinary understanding of Nation Building, Indigenous business, First Nations governance, culture, and history. Of the Saulteau First Nation in North Eastern BC, she continues to work on identifying and creating solutions to build healthy Indigenous economies in British Columbia. Tamara completed her Master's Degree in Indigenous Business & Leadership at SFU. Tamara’s primary focus is the study of traditional Indigenous ideologies and how these systems can thrive again in partnership with current economic systems.
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Over the past 15 years, Tamara has performed extensive research pertaining to the gaps between First Nations, Government, and Industry. Tamara utilizes this research in her work with multiple First Nations and Aboriginal Organizations towards developing and implementing development strategies and growth partnerships. With this experience, Tamara now works on economic development projects such as hotels, affordable housing, power, food and water security technologies, and ecological restoration opportunities.
Tamara was president of Mahigan Research and Development Inc. for 10 years prior to coming to work to champion the launch of the Four Our Future Indigenous Economic Platform.
Lead Innovation Researcher: Rian Bevan
Rian Bevan is a research analyst for innovation and sustainability, and co-founder of the Here2Help Community non-profit. His background in dialogue, geography, and sustainability with a community focus help inform his work. Rian excels at analyzing and interpreting new technologies and their potential impact and influence on businesses.
David ( Xa Xa Smanxwt) is a member of the Okanagan Nation. With more than 20 years of experience and a multi-disciplined education, David Fierro specializes in biological systems from a First Nation’s perspective. David works diligently with corporations, industry and First Nations to develop and implement elegant and economical solutions in regard to developments on First Nations Traditional Territories.
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David has worked in the role of Environmental Assessment, economic solutions, and negotiations for entities such as the Squamish Nation, Saulteau First Nation, St’at’imc First Nation, and First Nations Forestry Council. In this role, he reviews applications for development from residential and commercial to industrial. He deciphers environmental assessments and protects traditional values on behalf of First Nations. He has also worked on with multiple First Nations in collaborations such as:
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· Environment Canada, Musqueam, Tsleil-waututh, Squamish regarding an Environmental Assessment for the Burrard Inlet
· Coast Salish First Nations towards the Howe Sound Marine Use Plan
· New Relationship between BC Government and First Nations in the Forestry Industry
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Working between proponents such as BC Hydro, Port Metro, LNG, Fortis, Forestry and Mining and First Nations has allowed David an innate understanding of the delicacy and importance of engaging with First Nations as development partners prior to attempting to develop. David’s skills and experience were essential to the work of Mahigan Research and Development as extensive research has evidenced that future industries and developments on First Nation’s Territories in BC will require higher environmental standards to proceed.
Gail L. Bitternose is a Nehiyaw (Cree) woman from the George Gordon First Nation, in Treaty 4 Territory, south central Saskatchewan. Gail relocated to Calgary 30 years ago to pursue a Fashion Design career and welcomed her second baby.
Gail remained in Calgary and raised her two daughters: Charity Rose; and Brittany Michelle. Gail is now Kokum (Grandmother) to Farrah, Dene/Cree of the Tsuut’ina Nation, Alberta. While Gail is working to complete her MBA in Community Economic Development, she is consulting with First Nations in a business development advisory role.
Gail is Co-chair for the Alberta First Nation Women’s Council on Economic Security (Alberta Indigenous Relations Ministry). Gail’s activities revolve around family, studies and is involved in several projects. She is interested in assisting First Nations businesses and she promotes Indigenous entrepreneurism. While she has several projects on the go, she always makes time to work on other skills such as design, beading, research, and developing projects for a bustling, busy, creative family. Ekosi. Aho.