2026 FNPGC Conference Speakers

Daniel J. Bellegarde is a citizen of Little Black Bear’s Band of the Assiniboine-Cree in Treaty 4 Territory, southern Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Regina, Faculty of Administration, and has completed extensive specialty and professional development training.

He has held senior leadership roles including Socio-Economic Planner, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, President, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and First Vice-Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), holding portfolios in Treaty Land Entitlement, Specific Claims, Gaming, Justice and Policing, International Affairs, and Self-Government.

Daniel has served on numerous boards and committees, including the national Board of CESO, and as a Commissioner, Indian Specific Claims Commission (1992–2009), serving as Co-Chair (1994–2000).

He previously served as Senior Governance Coordinator, Treaty 4 Governance Institute and General Manager, Wakayos Holdings Inc. (General Partner with Little Black Bear’s Band).

Now semi-retired, Daniel remains active as Justice Coordinator, Little Black Bear’s Band and Chair, File Hills First Nations Police Service Board of Police Commissioners.

Keith Blake is the 5th Chief of Police of the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, serving since May 16, 2013, and leading sworn and non-sworn members in community-centered policing for the Tsuut’ina Nation. With 24 years of distinguished service in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police across Alberta, including work in seven First Nations communities, he brings a deep respect for Indigenous cultures and a vision for a justice system that addresses root causes of crime while honoring tradition. His leadership extends nationally through roles as former Vice-President of the First Nation Chiefs of Police Association, member of the Assembly of First Nations Policing Task Force, and Executive Sponsor of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police Policing with Indigenous Peoples committee. A strong advocate for Indigenous policing, Chief Blake has helped co-develop essential service legislation and continues to champion sustainable, collaborative, and culturally grounded approaches to public safety across Canada.

Dale Cox began his policing career in 1976 as an RCMP Auxiliary Constable in High Prairie, Alberta, becoming a fully sworn RCMP member in 1979. He spent 30 years with the RCMP in Saskatchewan and Alberta, serving in general duty, highway patrol, specialized investigations, drug enforcement, major crimes, the National Undercover Unit, and district management for the Western Alberta District.

In 2008, Dale retired from the RCMP to become the inaugural Chief of Police for the Lakeshore Regional Police Service (LRPS), a self-administered First Nation police service providing full policing services to five First Nations along Lesser Slave Lake in northwestern Alberta. He served as Chief for 15 years until his retirement in April 2024.

As founding Chief, Dale built LRPS from the ground up. The LRPS planning and implementation model was later recognized by the Federal First Nations Policing Program as a new national standard for First Nation police services.

Deputy Chief Cory Dayley is in his 24th year with the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and is a member of the senior executive management team at CPS. He has extensive experience in various areas of policing, including intelligence, counterterrorism and extremism, organized crime, guns, gangs, covert operations, cybercrime, incident command, professional standards, and training/use of force. Currently, he leads the Bureau of Support and Community Service, overseeing the Fleet and Facilities Division, IT Services Division, Information Management Division, and Strategic Partnerships Division.

Amanda Neveu is an Anishinaabekwe and proud member of Batchewana First Nation, born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, with deep ties to the lands and waters of Northern Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. Amanda began her public service career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where she spent over a decade as a Detachment Assistant, gaining extensive experience in operations, administration, and community-facing work. In 2021, she joined the Anishinabek Police Service, aligning her professional path with her commitment to community connection, cultural engagement, and member wellness. Outside of work, she values time with her children and family, and finds peace at her cottage on Lake Superior.

Dr. Jill Price is a Research Associate at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), located on Treaty 4 and the homeland of the Métis, where she leads a team evaluating internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT), a free and confidential online mental health treatment developed with and for first responders, public safety personnel, and their families.

Acting Deputy Chief Derek McIntyre is a committed leader with 29 years of service in urban policing, currently serving as a Project Lead in the Office of the Chief, Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Derek specializes in leveraging data, technology, and evidence-based approaches to drive organizational change, operational efficiency, and strategic development.

He has led major initiatives including the development and implementation of the EPS Diversion & Desistance Branch, the Mental Health Apprehension Transfer of Care protocol, and several advancements in service delivery for vulnerable populations.

Derek’s commitment to inclusive workplaces is reflected in innovative partnerships with neurodiverse employees, resulting in recognition as the recipient of the CACP/Axon Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award for 2025.

One of Derek’s most valued personal and professional achievements came in 2021 when Elder Ruth Cardinal De Ubiera performed a star blanket ceremony for Derek in recognition of his work with Indigenous women at Buffalo Sage Wellness Lodge in Edmonton.

Lacy Runner is the Health & Wellness Services Director for the Tsuut’ina Nation, providing culturally grounded mental health support, including equine therapy, to Treaty 7 and 8 Nations upon request. Drawing on her Dene and Secwepemc teachings, she uses a hybrid practice model to support healing, and also serves as a trainer and facilitator with the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute across North America. A certified First Nations Health Manager with the First Nations Health Managers Association, Lacy advocates for recognition of the Treaty Right to Health and equitable access to services addressing Indigenous Social Determinants of Health. She holds a Master of Counselling Psychology, is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, has a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Indigenous Studies, and is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychotherapy at Yorkville University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, specializing in trauma-informed and equine-assisted therapy for children and youth.

Amtul Siddiqui is a longtime advocate for diversity, social connection, and cross-sector partnerships, with over 25 years of leadership in the not-for-profit sector. Her career includes senior roles with the Calgary Health Foundation, Vivo, and the Canadian Red Cross, where she served as national fundraising lead for the 2013 Alberta Floods and the 2016 Alberta Fires. She is currently Executive Director of the Bethany Care Foundation, supporting innovative, community-centered approaches to aging well. Amtul holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Idaho and previously interned with the United States Department of the Treasury before settling in Canada. A deeply committed volunteer, her service includes the CIBC Run for the Cure, RCMP multicultural committee, Vivo Board of Directors, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She currently serves as Chair of the Calgary Police Commission and President of the Canadian Association of Police Governance, and was recently appointed to the Order of Merit of the Police Forces Committee. In March 2025, Amtul was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her significant contributions to Canada and community leadership.

Sherri A. Thomas is Chair of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, the governing authority of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, where she has served for over a decade providing leadership, governance oversight, and strategic direction. With more than 20 years of experience in health management, Sherri is also Executive Director of the Ginew Wellness Center, an Indigenous-led organization delivering integrated, culturally safe health services. Her leadership bridges health and public safety systems, emphasizing community-driven, Indigenous-led approaches. During her tenure with MFNPS, she has championed initiatives including the Operational Review, strategic planning, and crisis and emergency management, prioritizing governance models that ensure communities are actively engaged and that policing services are culturally safe, responsive, and sustainable. Outside of work, Sherri values time with her partner, two sons, and grandchild.

Dwayne Zacharie has worked for the Kahnawake Peacekeepers since 1997. He is currently the Chief Peacekeeper. He is responsible for the administration of all policing functions. In 2013, he was elected President of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association of Quebec. In 2016, he was elected President of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association (FNCPA), both of which are national organizations that represents stand-alone First Nation Police Services across Canada. In October 2018, he was re-elected President of FNCPA. Their roles are to build capacity in order to raise the standards of policing services offered to Native communities. On October 31st 2019, Chief Dwayne Zacharie was inducted into The Order Of Merit Of The Police Forces by Governor General Julie Payette. The Order was established in October 2000 to recognize a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of Canadian police services.