Jerry Asp – Chairman

Jerry Asp

Chairman and CEO

Jerry is one of Canada’s most prominent Indigenous leaders.

He is committed to enhancing the quality of life for Indigenous people through the creation of new business opportunities and development of skills and capacity. Jerry was President and founding member of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (1985), the largest native-owned and operated heavy construction company in Western Canada building it to a $60 million corporation with 8 divisions and 29 joint-venture partnerships in the mining industry. Today, the Tahltan Trust Fund holds $120 million for future generations from these opportunities. He is also a founding member of the National Indian Businessman’s Association (1981) (now the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business) as well as the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA) (1991-November 2013) where he served as Vice President.

Jerry’s success includes negotiating the first Impact Benefit Agreement in British Columbia with the Golden Bear Mine, the first native–owned independent power producer contract with BC Hydro and a new health facility to serve the Dease Lake area.

Jerry has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal March 5, 2013 for his contributions to the inclusion and training of Indigenous People in the mining industry and was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2020.

As founder of the Global Indigenous Development Trust (2014), Jerry actively travels the world sharing his knowledge and experience with indigenous communities in Peru, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Argentina, Panama, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and the US.

Timeline of Awards and Achievements

2020

Inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame

2020

Named Mining Person of the Year (2019) for BC, Mining Association of British Columbia

2018

Advisor to Minister of International Trade on Responsible Business Conduct

2017

Indspire Award for achievement in Business & Commerce

2016

Frank Woodside Past Presidents Distinguished Service Award AME BC

2013

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award

2011

Prospector and Developers Assoc of Canada Skookum Jim Award – Aboriginal Prospector of the Year

2011

Advisor to Minister of Mines, Yukon

2004

Advisor to Prime Minister on Science and Innovation

2002

Chief of Tahltan Nation

1993

Negotiated first Native owned Independent Power Project with BC Hydro

1991

Founded Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association

1990

The Tahltan Band award for outstanding achievement

1988

Negotiated first Impact Benefit Agreement in British Columbia (4th in Canada)

1985

Founded Tahltan Nation Development Corporation