Bob has a varied and diverse practice centrally focused on Indigenous nation building initiatives.
Bob is an experienced litigator with an extensive background in development and construction and a long and accomplished history of managing a broad range of high-profile and complex matters. He has appeared before all levels of Court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Bob has experience in public/private partnerships; development and construction; mergers and acquisitions; economic development; government relations; strategic communications and tourism.
Bob has a deep commitment to advancing Indigenous causes. He is grateful to have been able to spend time with elders, knowledge keepers and leaders and be guided in advancing his understanding of their remarkable cultures, their challenges and their aspirations. He has been profoundly honoured to be invited to participate in ceremony and was deeply humbled to receive a Cree spirit name – Kahkoki Pihesew Napwe – or “Diving Thunderbird Man.”
Bob strongly believes that we must work to right historic wrongs and move towards a more just and equitable relationship with our Indigenous peoples. We are in an essential time of nation building in the pursuit of forging a path towards Indigenous self-governance, sovereignty and economic independence.
Prior to joining MLT Aikins, Bob served 10 years as the Executive Vice President for the Katz Group of companies where his primary role was to manage the continued development of the company’s sports and entertainment business, including the development of a sports and entertainment district in downtown Edmonton. In this role he acted as a member of the Negotiating Committee for the successful public/private partnership between the Katz Group and the City of Edmonton for the funding and construction of Rogers Place arena; was the Katz Group and OEG Inc. (formerly known as Oilers Entertainment Group) lead representative on the Project Leadership Team which was responsible for oversight of all aspects of the design and construction of Rogers Place; led the negotiation of all major contracts with project partners and oversaw the creation and implementation of the project management process which delivered Rogers Place on time and on budget; was responsible for the oversight of the master planning and zoning of ICE District; played a leadership role in media and public relations related to Rogers Place and ICE District; was responsible for the oversight of the design of public realm spaces in ICE District; and was a member of the Management Oversight Committee for the oversight of the design and construction of the JW Marriott ICE District. Bob has played a leadership role on behalf of ownership in the oversight of more than $1 billion in development which has served to revitalize the downtown core of Edmonton.
Bob lead the successful negotiation of a Master Agreement Framework with the City of Edmonton for the construction of a private sector-funded Prairie Sky urban gondola system connecting Whyte Avenue, the river valley and Jasper Avenue and subsequently lead the negotiation of a highly complex real estate agreement with City Administration.
Bob is inspired by city building initiatives that make Edmonton a better place to live for its residents and enhance Edmonton’s position on the global stage as a place to invest, build corporate head offices and reinforce it as a year round destination for tourism.
In addition, Bob is actively engaged in of a wide variety of areas of Indigenous law, including nation building initiatives; economic development; experiential tourism; major infrastructure projects; Indigenous gaming; rights based claims; and litigation.
Having previously been a member of CEO’s Advisory Board for Treaty 8 Economic Development Corp, Bob stepped into the role of Interim CEO for 18 months. He is inspired by the vision of the Sovereign Nations of Treaty 8 Alberta and contributed to supporting their aspirations of ensuring sustainable economic development, self-determination and wellbeing at the grassroots level.
Bob has coordinated and facilitated economic development and nation building sessions with Indigenous Nations involving a multi-disciplinary team of experts in architecture and master planning; environmental sustainability and human wellness, commercial feasibility and accounting, Indigenous rights and government relations.
Securing equity in major infrastructure projects is an opportunity for Indigenous Nations to derive stable generational revenues to support the cause of nation building and Bob has been active in several such negotiations. Bob been involved in negotiating with industry to structure 51% First Nations-owned entities in various sectors.
Bob has assisted Indigenous communities with a wide range of economic development activities including infrastructure and project development, renewable and legacy energy development, mining, ecosystem management, tourism and real-estate development (including urban reserves). He has contributed to maximizing impact at the grassroots level within community through career building activities, supporting individual entrepreneurism, creation of Nation-owned businesses and securing equity in projects and assets. Bob has an extensive history of assisting Indigenous peoples with high-profile and complex negotiations with industry and government and supporting access to capital and grant funding.
- Advisory Committee, Prairie Link High Speed Rail Between Edmonton and Calgary
- Chief Strategy Officer, Prairie Sky Gondola Corp
- Board Member, Alberta Powerline Board
- Facilitator, multi-disciplinary nation building visioning sessions with Indigenous communities
- Committee Member, Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Awards
- Member, Downtown Recovery Coalition
- Member, Winter City Advisory Board
- Recognized as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People, People Venture Magazine (2010)
- Appointed King’s Counsel (2005)