Annual Conference

Welcome to the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC) 53 Annual Conference. The NACC annual conference includes our general meetings and tradeshow.

Date: August 12 – 14, 2025

Location: Canad Inns Polo Park

Our Annual Conference is a chance for member communities to gather, network, and learn. By sharing issues and ideas with neighbouring communities, we strengthen our collective voice.

Empowering Communities for Sustainable Change

Last year’s conference theme was about embracing change to better the communities we live in. Our 2025 theme expands on the progress we’ve made in embracing change – Empowering Communities for Sustainable Change. We want communities to feel empowered in making decisions that will effect lasting change. Collectively, our decisions bring positive outcomes for the communities we represent. And we hope this year’s theme empowers councils to move forward with confidence.

Meeting Minutes from the 2025 Annual Conference

August 12–14, 2025 – Minutes of the 53rd Annual General Meeting

A Message From the President

Dear Members and Delegates,

It is with great pride and gratitude that I welcome you to the 2025 Annual General Conference. This year, our theme—Empowering Communities for Substantial Change—builds upon the momentum we created in 2024, when we committed ourselves to Embracing Change.

Over the past 12 months, the NACC Board has undertaken a deep and comprehensive transformation. We have reviewed and updated every policy and procedure, modernized our bylaws, and restructured key elements of our governance to ensure that our organization remains responsive, transparent, and forward-looking.

We’ve also focused intently on building and rebuilding relationships. I’ve personally met with government ministers and key stakeholders, restoring partnerships that had faded and forging new ones with purpose and intent. These relationships are essential as we work to expand our influence and effectiveness across all the communities we serve.

But moving from embracing change to empowering communities has not come without its challenges. Real, substantial change demands perseverance, collaboration, and trust. It requires us to listen more deeply, act more decisively, and remain steadfast in our vision—even when the road is uncertain.

Still, I am confident that we are on the right path. Together, we are laying the groundwork for meaningful, community-driven transformation. And this conference is an important step in that journey—an opportunity to share ideas, align our efforts, and strengthen the bonds that unite us.

Thank you for your continued support, your passion, and your commitment to progress.

Let’s move forward—together.

Sheryl Matheson

President

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Welcome Community Delegates, CAO’s and Honored Guests,

This coming September, I will be celebrating 1 year as Executive Director for NACC. Some of you may recall I was in attendance at last year’s Annual General Conference, however it was not until the end of Conference where I had accepted the role as Executive Director.

A little about me…I retired in December of 2023 after a 28 year career with a National organization that had me in a leadership role that stemmed across western Canada. In June of 2024, I joined NACC as a volunteer to assist with the Annual General Conference in the absence of an Executive Director. Trust me when I say, I was not looking for a 2nd career but rather something “small” that allowed my mind to continue to operate in a (somewhat) rational and productive manner. In addition, I was looking for something that showed me that what I was doing made difference and had a positive impact on improving the quality of life for someone else. Hence, here I am.

This year’s conference theme, “Empowering Communities for Sustainable Change” has allowed me to continue my work with purpose. This past year, we have undertaken many overdue changes to intensify both our internal and external position and foundation of the organization. Our work has allowed us to strengthen our relationships with our membership communities and partners alike. We have reviewed and updated the organizations bylaws and policies aligning them with the core values of NACC. We have traveled to the regions creating open forums for councils to join us to discuss issues and concerns. We have met with 6 ministerial departments on more than one occasion sharing the resolutions brought forward by communities and working on solutions. We have established a positive and transparent working repour with our allies to ensure the needs of communities are met. And through this all, we have only begun.

You will continue to see change in the months to come. Positive change.
The official launch of the new NACC website will take place in the months to come and a new 3 year Strategic Plan will be unveiled by the end of 2025 providing us with a path to the future. We have much to look forward to. I want to thank the Board for their support and trust in me. I am grateful.

Please come say hello when you get a chance as I look forward to meeting you. Enjoy the Conference and I am always only a call or email away.

Respectfully,

Andrea Kwasnicki

Executive Director

A Special Thank You to Our Master of Ceremonies, Michael McMullen MBA, ICD.D

Michael’s work history includes time as the Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President (EVP) of Ashley Global Retail based in Tampa Bay; EVP for The NorthWest Company managing their 132 store Northern portfolio; he led WareHouse One: The Jean Store from bankruptcy to over 100 locations as CEO/President and was one of three Division Managers for Ikea North America.

Michael founded MCM Consulting Limited in 2013. MCM's client portfolio includes firms operating in numerous sectors.

Michael has travelled extensively across Canada, visited and conducted business in over 150 northern communities from coast to coast to coast in many of our First Nation &Indigenous communities and nations.

He Chaired the Canadian Chamber of Commerce & is now a Governor of the Chamber of Commerce. In 2019 was honoured and inducted to CCC’s Emeritus Leadership Circle. Michael currently serves as Vice-Chair/Secretary of First People's Economic Growth Fund and on the Board of Health Partners Canada. He has previously chaired and served on a number of Not-for-Profit boards including Diabetes Canada. In 2025 Michael was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal and Diabetes Canada National Volunteer of the Year.

Michael has been married to his lovely wife Deb for ( 47 of years) they have one son, 2 daughters, and 4 grandchildren.

Michael is a published author, with his third book, Leaving Lisa debuting this month.

With Appreciation to Pahan Pte San Win for Offering the Opening Prayer

Pahan Pte San Win is a spiritual caregiver to incarcerated youth at the Manitoba Youth Centre. With a degree in social work from the University of Calgary, Pahan has provided counseling support to residential school survivors, women who have experienced abuse and incarcerated men. Her storytelling pursuits include awards for best writing by an Indigenous Student, Grant MacEwan College; host and producer of the Good Medicine Radio Show for CKLB Radio in Yellowknife, NT; and a blog titled, I Married a Holy Man. Pahan’s vision to have a Sundance of Women that honours our stolen sisters was realized in 2017 and continues until 2020.