Even J.P. Gladu, one of Canada’s most visible Indigenous business leaders, was lumped into the mix. He was laid off before he even started a new job.
“All of a sudden I had no job, no home, no car; all I had was a suitcase to my name and I was waking up on the couch of my ex-wife, who’s still a good friend of mine today.” "Now I live at home and I live on the land. I visit the cities, which is much better calculus for me."Gladu graduated from Sault College as a forestry technician. His father worked in the forestry industry. A grandfather, on his mother’s side, helped build the Trans-Canada Pipeline across Northern Ontario. An uncle manages two hydroelectric projects.
When it comes to resource development, Canadians are being asked to take sides in the debate of environmental protection versus economic growth. As executive director of the Indigenous Resource Network, Gladu has also been active in penning some nationally published thought pieces, making the claim that resource development offers the most transformative way for Indigenous people to achieve economic autonomy.
“We’re Indigenous people; we don’t always agree. Some of us are opposed to any kind of development at all, which I find sort of hypocritical.” Gladu, who sits on many corporate boards, including Suncor, said industry has “failed miserably” in recognizing the importance of Indigenous people within their organizations and sectors.