Justin Napoleon

Justin Napoleon is a distinguished leader, entrepreneur, and former Chief Councillor from Saulteau First Nation, located in Moberly Lake, British Columbia. Justin is a committed advocate for community prosperity, helping Sedgwick’s clients navigate complex government, Indigenous, and procurement challenges with expertise and lived experience.

Under Justin’s leadership, the Saulteau First Nation achieved significant milestones. Notably, in March 2022, Justin negotiated on behalf of the Treaty 8 Nations to secure a 10% equity stake in the Coastal GasLink pipeline. This historic agreement marked one of the first instances where Indigenous communities were included as owners in a major natural resource project crossing their territories. In April 2023, Justin led Saulteau to reach a historic settlement with the federal and provincial governments regarding Treaty Land Entitlement claims. This agreement addressed longstanding issues related to lands owed under Treaty 8, signed in 1899. The settlement not only provided monetary compensation but also allocated approximately 44,266 hectares (109,385 acres) of Crown land to the involved First Nations, marking a pivotal step toward reconciliation.

Before his tenure as Chief, Napoleon spent over a decade working as an Operator with Spectra Energy. This role provided him with valuable insights into the industry’s operations and its potential impacts on Indigenous lands and communities.

Justin is also the founder of Nap-how Contracting, a civil construction and logging company. Through this venture, he has contributed to local economic development by creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable resource management practices.

Justin’s commitment to his community extends beyond political and economic realms. He is a father to two sons and spends his time cheering them on at their respective competitive hockey games around western Canada.