Kaella-Marie Earle

Kaella-Marie Earle, also known as Waaseyaa (first light of the rising sun), is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi) citizen of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Aroland First Nation. She is a certified and experienced board director, a licensed professional engineer, and a humanitarian whose work spans energy, governance, safety, education, healthcare, and cultural revitalization.

Her leadership is grounded in ancestral teachings, humility, and a fierce dedication to justice. Kaella-Marie’s impact is felt across local and national spheres — and increasingly, on the global stage.

In the energy sector, she led a landmark engineering project that protected Anishinaabe ancestral remains, navigating complex negotiations between multiple First Nations. Her approach was peaceful, culturally grounded, and deeply respectful, resulting in a resolution that honored both the spirits of ancestors and the sovereignty of communities.

She also created and leads Enbridge’s methane abatement strategy, including the industrialization of recompression technology — a visionary initiative that blends technical innovation with environmental responsibility.

As an educator, Kaella-Marie secured multi-year funding for the Maawanji’we Leadership Program, an unprecedented model bringing engineering professionals to residential schools to learn directly from survivors and elders about Indigenous history, cultural repression, and reconciliation. She is also deeply committed to the psychological health of frontline energy workers, leading meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy sessions to address elevated suicide rates.

Kaella-Marie is widely recognized as a bold advocate and thought leader. She has published in The Globe and Mail, delivered keynotes to thousands of youth, hosted Indigenous oversight leaders at major energy headquarters, and helped shape Canada’s commitment to Indigenous Energy Regulators through the UNDA Action Plan (Measure 34).

Her governance roles are equally significant, including appointments to the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council of Canada (Governor-in-Council), the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, the Long Range Planning Committee at Health Sciences North, and several Indigenous advisory bodies.

Kaella-Marie’s work is transformational: she uplifts communities, reimagines what justice looks like, and bridges ancestral wisdom with modern leadership. She is a systems thinker, a cultural steward, a strategist, and a leader who influences generations.