Keith Matthew

Board member, Entrepreneurship advisor

Keith is a proud member of the Simpcw First Nation, former three-time Chief where he was instrumental in negotiating a multitude of economic opportunities and creating the Simpcw Heritage Trust which is helping youth and others in the community rebuild their language, culture and history.

He started his career in journalism, has worked at BC Hydro and has started his own business in communications planning and marketing. He also played a role in advancing the fledgling First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA).

After leaving BC Hydro to move home in the early 2000s, Keith was elected to chief and council where he was assigned to the economic development portfolio. During his time there, he helped negotiate agreements for a $7 million heli-skiing lodge with Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, Fibre agreement with West Fraser, Canadian Hydro’s Bone Creek Hydro an independent power production, and 2007 Impact Benefit Agreement with Kinder Morgan Canada.

Keith is active in his community and volunteers with the following organizations:
President of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations, Director for the Simpcw Health Board, Director for the TULO Centre of Indigenous Economics, Thompson Rivers University, Chair for the Simpcw Resources Ltd and Advisory Board for the First Nations Infrastructure Institute. He was the former President of Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of B.C., former President of First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, former Director of Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources and former President of CANDO.