RMWB Council announces co-chairs for the 2022 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games

(Fort McMurray, AB – May 14, 2019) The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Council is pleased to announce the appointment of former RMWB Mayor Melissa Blake and Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, CEO, The Bouchier Group as co-chairs of the Host Society for the 2022 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games.

“Council is very pleased that Ms. Blake and Ms. Bourque-Bouchier have accepted the role as co-chairs of the Host Society for the 2022 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games,” said Mayor Don Scott.  “Both are strong community leaders with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve the community well in showcasing our region on an international level.”

Co-chair Blake said, “As one of the co-chairs for the 2022 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games, I’m excited to welcome athletes, coaches and parents from all over the north to our region. I know the residents of the RMWB will help us to ensure we make these games a great experience for all participants and visitors.”

“I’m delighted to serve as a co-chair for the 2022 Arctic Winter Games. I look forward to working with the Host Society to deliver an exceptional sporting and cultural experience that will include all the communities in our region,” said co-chair Nicole Bourque-Bouchier.

Biographies

Ms. Blake served two terms as a municipal councillor for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo beginning in 1998, before running for Mayor in 2004 and holding that office until 2017. She was appointed to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments in 2018 and is also on the Alberta Order of Excellence Council. Ms. Blake has been honoured with several awards, including Woman of Inspiration by Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. She was also the honourary Co-chair of the Northern Kickoff in 2015, the most northern CFL game in history. Ms. Blake has experience with the 2004 Arctic Winter Games, 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and 2018 Alberta Winter Games.  She was also on the Bid Committee for the 2022 Arctic Winter Games

Ms. Bourque-Bouchier is co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of The Bouchier Group, one of Alberta’s largest Indigenous-owned and operated companies. She has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades, which include Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by Scotiabank and the Indspire Award for Business and Commerce (formally the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards). Most recently, Nicole has been named the 2019 Indigenous Women in Leadership recipient by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and presented with the 2019 Keyano College Distinguished Alumni Award.  Ms. Bourque-Bouchier has served on many non-profit organizations, such as the Keyano College Board of Governors, and is the Past-President of the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association.  Currently Nicole sits on the Apple School Board of Alberta and the Indspire Board of Directors.

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Media inquiries:
media@rmwb.ca

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