Indig Inc`s 2019 Tokyo Delegation
The next Indig Inc delegate to join the Trade Mission as one of the official Powwow Dancers is Mitch Mercredi
From July 21-28, Indig Inc will be in Tokyo, Japan participating in cultural showcases, offering vendor opportunities, touring Japanese organizations, creating exciting new content (videos + photoshoots), and enjoying guided opportunities with the Trade Commissioners and Tourism Japan!
Biography:
Mercredi has lived in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) all his life, born and raised in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta and a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Mitch moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1996 with his family and graduated from Father Patrick Mercredi High School.
Culture - his Aboriginal culture is very important to him, learning both Dene and Cree traditional ways of life. He currently sings and drums at many events, promoting the beauty of the Aboriginal culture in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Mitch started dancing at Pow Wow’s to introduce the beautiful culture and history to his children as they entered the Pow Wow circle and were recently initiated at the Fort McKay Traditional Pow wow in 2017. He and his son are Grass Dancer’s and his daughters are both Jingle Dress Dancer’s. Mitch also teaches boys how to sing and dance Pow Wow, with the Fort McKay Northwind dancers and would like to see more boys and young men come out and dance.
Volunteer – Past President for the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association. NAABA is a non-profit organization that consists of a growing interest group of Aboriginal Businesses, committed to enhancing and creating an environment, which promotes businesses, jobs, and training for the betterment of all Aboriginal people in the region.
Career – Worked with the family business at Lakeshore Contracting Ltd. and Lakeshore Helicopters Ltd. as General Manager. An Aboriginal owned Construction company that is capable of undertaking light to medium civil earthworks in the RMWB. Also, a Helicopter company that offers commercial services to several industries including Oil and Gas, Research and Development, Power line, Mining, Environmental, Forestry, Construction, Cargo and Chartered flights.
Today, Mitch is the Business Development Manager for Acden, which is owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and its ventures proudly support the First Nations administration and member programs. With 18 companies and over 3,000 employees, Acden is one of the largest Aboriginally owned corporations in Canada and they have the diversity, resources and capacity to tackle projects of any scope. By vertically integrating its services and companies, they offer their clients a scalable, one point of contact solution.
Family – Married to his beautiful wife Crystal for 10 years and have three amazing children. He enjoys being a dad, husband and is very excited that his kids are starting to be involved with after school programs such as swimming, lacrosse, hockey and ringette.
Being selected to go to Tokyo, Japan would be a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful culture in North America (Canada) through dance and song. It would be a great honour to represent my Nation, Community and Country at such a world event
