Derek Chum

Derek Chum is a proud member of the Moose Cree First Nation. He has a wide range and years of experience working with Indigenous clients and communities. He is former corporate and commercial lawyer and provided strategic and business advice to Indigenous communities and enterprises across Ontario. He serves as Chair of the Moose Cree Group of Companies, the business arm of the Moose Cree First Nation, which provides employment and opportunity for Moose Cree members through its various business ventures. Derek served on the board and was Chair of Five Nations Energy Inc., the first Indigenous-owned and operated transmission line in Ontario. Derek was also the President/CEO of Amisk Kodim Corporation which structured the Indigenous contracting opportunities for the $2.5 billion Lower Mattagami River Project, a partnership between Moose Cree First Nation and Ontario Power Generation.

His recent leadership role as the Vice President of Indigenous Relations at Hydro One involved a range of responsibilities from developing strategies to community engagement on a number of capital projects. Derek was also worked to ensure Hydro One met its commitments under the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program. During his time at Hydro One, the company achieved Silver Level PAR Certification reflecting its commitment to hiring Indigenous employees, providing procurement opportunities to Indigenous owned businesses and investment in Indigenous communities along with integrating the Indigenous Relations departments across the organization.