Chief Evan B.G. Taypotat is the elected Chief of Kahkewistahaw First Nation and a strong advocate for Treaty and inherent rights, self-determination, strong governance and economic self-determination. He has served as an Infantry Officer with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and as Principal of Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Regina, and an Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership from Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. He also serves as Honorary Colonel of the Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Chief Taypotat provides leadership to a Nation of more than 2,300 members worldwide and is focused on building Kahkewistahaw’s future through culture, governance, Treaty implementation and economic self-determination.
For this session, Chief Taypotat will provide the leadership and Nation-building perspective on Kahkewistahaw’s growth, sovereignty and long-term vision, providing context for how planning and land governance can support the Nation’s priorities and create meaningful outcomes for current and future generations.
Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan are increasingly leading planning initiatives that address growth, governance, infrastructure, housing, and economic development. At the same time, municipalities and planning practitioners are seeking practical approaches to collaboration
and implementation.
This session provides a Saskatchewan-based example of how planning can move beyond policy and visioning to become a practical tool for community-building, infrastructure investment, and long-term development. Participants will leave with actionable insights and implementation-focused strategies directly applicable to their own communities and professional practice.
