Biographies

George Arcand Jr. – Regional Director General, Alberta Region

George Arcand Jr. was appointed Regional Director General (RDG) for the Alberta Region in September 2008. Prior to that, he was the Associate and Acting RDG for eight years.

Before joining INAC in 1998, Mr. Arcand worked with the Alexander First Nation (located northwest of Edmonton), to which he is a member. His 14 year tenure with his community started with his post as Director of Community Development and Planning and progressed to Tribal Administrator. As the Tribal Administrator, Mr. Arcand was responsible for managing all facets of the Alexander First Nation's affairs, including finance, operations and human resources.

Mr. Arcand is credited for his contribution in negotiating the Alternate Funding Arrangement with the Alexander First Nation, a first in all of Canada. He had also been involved with constitutional talks among Alberta Chiefs, and had provided technical and political advisory services to the collective.

In his capacity with INAC, Mr. Arcand had been instrumental in reorganizing the Region to provide more effective services to Alberta's three treaty areas; the introduction of agreements with the Province of Alberta in the area of Child and Family Services; and fostering excellent working relationships with the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs and the Executive Directors of the three treaty areas.

Jim Sisson – Associate Regional Director General, Alberta Region

Jim Sisson was appointed Associate Regional Director General for the Alberta Region in October 2008. He had been the Acting Associate Regional Director General since December 2005.

Mr. Sisson joined Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 1987 and has held various positions in the region over his 20 year tenure with the department.

Jim has extensive experience in managing INAC programs, land claims negotiations and intergovernmental relations. He has been a key member of two projects which successfully developed federal legislation to manage land claims implementation and to facilitate large-scale commercial and industrial development on reserve lands.

Mr. Sisson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master's degree in Public Management - both from the University of Alberta.