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Chosen to Lead: Moving Forward in Uncertain Times

Chosen to Lead: Moving Forward in Uncertain Times Right now, in this moment, if you’re reading this, I believe you were chosen. Chosen to lead. Chosen to make decisions that matter. Chosen to carry responsibility—even when it feels heavy, uncertain, or lonely. Leadership isn’t easy. I’ve learned that firsthand. Whether you’re leading a business, a community, a team, or a family, there are moments when the world doesn’t see things from your perspective. You make decision after decision, knowing those choices may impact hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people. And in those moments, leadership can feel isolating. So how do we keep moving forward? How do we navigate constant change, uncertainty, obstacles, and challenges—while keeping our mindset strong, our families secure, and our purpose clear? To answer that, I want to share a story. Working With What’s in Front of Us I come from Sweetgrass First Nation in Treaty 6 territory. I spent my early years growing up there as the eldest of four children. Life on the reserve was very different from the mainstream world many of us share today. Resources were limited. Opportunities weren’t always obvious. And the road forward wasn’t clear. But one lesson was instilled in me early. My mother did the best she could with what she had. Not with what she wished for. Not with perfect conditions. With what was in front of her. As leaders and entrepreneurs, we do the same thing. We work with what’s available to us—the resources in our communities, the numbers in our bank accounts, the people around us. Progress doesn’t come from waiting for ideal circumstances. It comes from taking the next step, then the next, and trusting that momentum will carry us forward. Rising Above the Narrative My mother came from a bloodline filled with obstacles. Along the way, she faced hardships that no one should have to endure. And if you pay attention to the media or the narratives that exist in this country, you’ll notice there are many challenges that continue to plague Indigenous communities. I’m grateful to be here today because the truth is, statistically, I probably shouldn’t be. There are many ways my life could have gone in a different direction. That reality is why I stand in front of rooms and share this message—to remind people that every single one of us has a gift. You were chosen to be where you are. You were chosen to lead what you’re leading. That’s not an accident. Leadership Is Always on Display Leadership doesn’t stop when the meeting ends or the title is removed. People are always watching. They see how you show up in your community. They see how you treat your family. They see how you carry yourself in everyday moments—at the grocery store, at your kids’ practices, in traffic. Whether we realize it or not, we become brands of behavior. The way we live our lives sets an example, especially for those coming after us. When I think back to my childhood, I didn’t want success or recognition. I wanted to feel safe. I wanted to feel heard. I wanted to know my life mattered. And isn’t that what the people we serve want too? The Turning Point That Changed Everything Every leader has a turning point. A moment when life shifts direction. A door opens—or closes—and forces you onto a new path. For me, that moment came on a hot summer day in northern Saskatchewan. Kindergarten had just ended. And my mother made a decision that would change the course of our lives. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I just knew that something was changing. Looking back now, I see it clearly. One courageous decision redirected our entire future. That’s the power of leadership. You may not always see the impact of your choices in the moment—but they ripple outward in ways you may never fully measure. You Are Here for a Reason I encourage you to take a moment and reflect. What was your turning point? Who opened a door for you? What obstacle redirected your path? What “no” ultimately led you to a better “yes”? Every story is different. But every story leads somewhere. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about continuing to move forward in a good way—grounded in purpose, resilience, and responsibility to those who come after us. If you’re here, reading this, I believe it’s for a reason. You were chosen to lead. And your next step matters more than you think.