A proud member of the Fort McKay First Nation, Raymond attended post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan and Alberta including religious studies at Briercrest Bible College, Business Administration at Keyano College, and attended Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. (SAIT). In recent years, he has furthered his education completing a certificate of Aboriginal Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence at the Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta.
Raymond has always felt a strong duty to give back to the First Nation in appreciation for all the support he received in terms of his education and career. Raymond has devoted himself to promoting and enhancing the opportunities for his First Nation.
Raymond cites working with the people of Fort McKay, and his opportunity to make a difference one step at a time as what he values the most. What makes him proudest about the community is knowing that Fort McKay is making significant strides in creating a better life for the Nation and its people.
During his spare time, Raymond enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, watching hockey, keeping physically and spiritually fit, and enjoys time with friends and family.
Contact
Email: chiefpowder@fortmckay.com
David Bouchier, a proud member of the Fort McKay First Nation, is serving his fourth term as an FMFN Councillor. Councillor Bouchier is the Founder, President, and Co-Owner of Bouchier. The company was established 25 years ago with nothing more than an idea, a used dozer, and a passionate, entrepreneurial spirit and has grown to be a leading provider of integrated site services in the Athabasca Oil Sands region. Bouchier is committed to being a good neighbour and this includes supporting and developing local communities.
Born and raised in Fort McKay, Councillor Bouchier has been honoured with numerous awards, including the Fort McKay Entrepreneur Award and Ernst & Young’s Oil and Gas Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is committed to Fort McKay’s long-term success with a focus on diversification of the economy and supporting Indigenous youth and elders.
Contact
Email: david.bouchier@fortmckay.com
Crystal McDonald is a proud Fort McKay band member who has lived her entire life here and is now raising her own children as part of the community. This is Crystal’s third term in governance as she was first elected as a Fort McKay First Nation Councillor in the 2015 election.
As a Councillor, she is dedicated to ensuring that all voices are heard and bringing forward questions and concerns. She is committed to accountability, transparency, and accessibility at the decision-making table. Ensuring the proper resources for capacity building for both the Nation and individual members is one of her priorities. Elders, youth, housing, Moose Lake access, family and mental health supports, and opportunities for business diversification are also among her main areas of concern.
Before becoming a Councillor, Crystal worked at the Mothers of McKay Daycare facility for ten years. While working at the daycare she was also on the Fort McKay Group of Companies Board of Directors for six years.
Crystal is very involved in the community. Each year her family hosts the Lawrence Bull Powder SLO Pitch Memorial Tournament during the Fort McKay Treaty Days.
Contact
Email: cmcdonald@fortmckay.com
Bobby Shott was born and raised in Fort McKay. This is his first term as a Fort McKay First Nation Councillor.
Prior to joining the Fort McKay First Nation governance team, Councillor Shott was a member of the Executive Team of the Fort McKay Group of Companies. With over 20 years of experience working in the oil sands and construction, he has advanced both independent business and community ventures. He led the sales and development initiatives across the organization, establishing relationships with industry that continue to grow the business for the betterment and prosperity of his community.
As a Fort McKay First Nation member, Councillor Shott is committed to securing opportunities for the First Nation that benefit the community and open career paths for members.
Contact
Email: bshott@fortmckay.com
Melinda Stewart was elected to a second term with Fort McKay First Nation in April 2023.
Before first being elected to office in 2019, Councillor Stewart’s career path took her from the oil sands operations to community engagement. In all roles, she focused on relationship-building, open communication, safe and sustainable growth strategies, cultural safety, and sustainability.
Councillor Stewart believes that investments in education, culture, housing, and wellness are investments in the health of FMFN members and the sustainable healthy growth of the nation.
Councillor Stewart and her family live in Fort McKay. They balance the hustle and bustle of work, school, and family life with cultural teachings, traditional practices, and time on
the land.
Contact
Email: mstewart@fortmckay.com
