Board of Directors | Treaty 8 Urban Child and Family Services

Our Board of Directors

Meet our distinguished Board of Directors, composed of visionary leaders from Treaty 8 First Nations. United by a shared commitment, they are dedicated to shaping a better future for the children, youth, and families of Treaty No. 8. Learn more about the individuals steering our initiatives toward positive impact and lasting change.

Grand Chief of Child and Family Services Ivan Sawan

Chief Ivan Sawan represents Loon River First Nation and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Treaty 8 Urban Child and Family Services.

Chief Sawan is proud to be born and raised in Loon River First Nation. He currently serves as the Chairperson of KTCEA, as a member of the Kee Tas Kee Now Child and Family Services Board, and as a representative on the Treaty 8 Health Committee. He was elected as a Councillor at the age of 28 and was in that role for 15 years until he was elected as Chief. Throughout this time, he fostered economic opportunities for the community through the Loon River First Nation Group of Companies which are entirely owned by the Nation. Chief Sawan is extremely passionate about providing excellent educational opportunities for children and youth to lay the foundations for their successful futures.

Chief Allan Adam

Chief Allan Adam is the Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in northern Alberta, Canada. He has served as Chief since 2007. Before becoming Chief, Chief Adam had served as a band councillor since 2003, with responsibility for housing issues.

In 2015, Chief Adam, along with the leaders of several other First Nations, spoke out against the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.

Chief Adam has advocated against oil sands development, having coordinated efforts involving prominent climate activists such as Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio.

In August 2018, Chief Adam was the keynote speaker at the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference held in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where he spoke in favour of developments such as the Trans Mountain pipeline.