Robert Louie, LL.B, OC, Hon. Dr. LL.B is the former Chief (24 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate development and has focussed primarily on working for First Nations on land matters throughout Canada.
Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board (26 years) and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self governance. Robert is also the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, which is the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. Robert is the Indigenous advisor representing Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum and networks with other leaders promoting Indigenous economic development and world trade. Robert sits as a Board Member with the BC Achievement Foundation and is on the Executive Committee. Most recently, Robert has accepted the position of the Indigenous Managing Director for Dunhill Group of Companies which is involved in construction and energy power projects.
Robert is a former practicing lawyer who specialized in native law and was a summer Law Instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. He is also a former elected member of the B.C. First Nations Summit Task Group and was involved in B.C. Treaty negotiations representing First Nations.
Some of the other numerous boards and special appointments Robert has been active in include: Board of Governor member with UBC; President’s Advisory Council member with UBC-Okanagan; Board Director on the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; President of First Nations Finance Authority Inc.; Board Director with All Nations Trust Co; one of a nine member Premier’s Advisory Council with the Premier of B.C.; Board Director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society.
Robert has been the recipient of many awards and distinguished presentations including: Officer of the Order of Canada; Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of B.C.; Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business; Distinguished Alumni Business Administration, Okanagan College; Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership from Aboriginal Financial Officers Association & Xerox Canada; Business Person of the Year, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; President’s Award, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; Recipient of Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canada; B.C. Academic Scholarship Award.
Robert is the owner/proprietor of Indigenous World Winery, Indigenous World Spirits and Kelowna West Manufactured Home Park.