SENIOR VP OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
Member of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

Jesse McCormick

Jesse is the Senior VP, Research, Innovation & Legal Affairs for the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, a non-political and business focussed coalition of over 100 First Nations organizations working to advance the capacity needs of member First Nations in the broad areas of economic participation and environmental stewardship.  The First Nations Major Projects Coalition is dedicated to creating pathways to reconciliation by advancing opportunities for First Nations to obtain ownership stakes in major projects that run through their territories.  In order to ensure that major projects meet member First Nations standards of environmental stewardship, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition also works to build capacity and promote Indigenous-led environmental assessment processes.

Jesse has previously served as the Director of Policy and Indigenous Relations for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Director of Rights Implementation for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.  In those roles, he contributed to the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, the reform of Canada’s environmental assessment processes and the passage of federal legislation to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Jesse has also served at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as a Senior Indigenous Fellow.  He holds degrees from the University of Guelph, the University of Ottawa and the Harvard Law School.   As a proud citizen of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation and the Oneida Nation (Wolf Clan), Jesse is committed to the achievement of reconciliation through the implementation of rights, treaties and responsibilities.

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: 2022