Monique Fry

Ey Swayel, my name is Monique Fry, and I am from the Xwchíyò:m First Nation on my grandfather’s side and from the Shíshálh Nation on my grandmother’s side. Both Nations are located on territories that are currently known as the province of BC. I have more than 16 years of experience in cross-cultural communication with a focus on successful engagement and partnerships with Indigenous communities. I hold both a BA and an MA from the University of Calgary (UofC) in Communication and Culture, with a focus on International Indigenous Studies with Culture and Society. I have worked in cross-sectoral spaces all my career- including non-profit, urban Indigenous, social investment, energy, tech, and post-secondary education. I value transparency, ethics and protocols, and centering Indigenous ways of knowing into all my work and life. I have been called a Cultural Mediator by Elders in the community for my work to bridge the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. I currently reside with my family in Mohkintsis, Treaty 7 territory, just outside of Calgary, AB. I do community engagement and strategy work with NGO’s, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and philanthropic foundations through our 100% First Nation owned company called Sustainative Inc. Along with my husband Christopher Fry, we co-teach a graduate course in the School of Public Policy at the UofC, in the Sustainable Energy Development MSc program. As the Lead Indigenous & Industry Relations with Resolve, I have been supporting The Resource Exchange and FPIC Solutions Dialogue. I have had the honour to facilitate and participate in ethical spaces in Canada, United States, South Africa and Zambia on the cross sectoral spaces of Indigenous and customary land rights, sovereignty, conservation and land stewardship, and community trusts. There is much to be shared and learned from one another locally and globally.