Ellis Ross has led the 1,500-member Haisla Nation to new levels of prosperity and confidence in his three years as elected Chief Councillor and six years previously as elected councillor. Moving beyond the generational poverty and social challenges they have faced, the Haisla have new confidence and hope for the future.

Mr. Ross is demonstrating, daily, how respectful relationships with governments and third parties can produce meaningful benefits to the average Haisla member. His vision is becoming reality through investments in education, community facilities, job creation and economic partnerships.

In 2012 Ellis Ross was named as the inaugural Chair of the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council. In 2013 he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and spoke on behalf of all the recipients at the Vancouver ceremony.

Last year he was the only First Nations leader among 25 Canadians invited by then-Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to a public policy/Budget retreat. The Haisla became, in 2013, the first BC band to receive ten years of block funding from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in recognition of the Haisla’s exceptional management of Band finances and affairs.

Ellis Ross is showing how a First Nation can work with industry, government and local communities. His forward thinking and ability to build relationships for economic development and high-paying jobs has helped encourage business to prepare to invest more than $15 billion into Kitimat for LNG projects.