Interview with CFAR Advisor Mel Benson

June 16th, 2021 | Sandra Sutter

Can you tell us a bit about who you are as a Metis leader in business?

My name is Mel Benson. I’m from the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, I’m a band member there.  At my ranch in Northern Alberta I raise bison as a hobby, and am involved in various businesses.  I’m the chairman of a gold mine company, recently retired from twenty years of service on Suncor’s board, and I do a lot of investments throughout the country. Mostly, I enjoy my 5 children:  2 young ones and 3 older ones. (Note from CFAR: Mel also has a new family member, a beautiful Corgi puppy who needed a new home and found a wonderful one!)

You are involved with CFAR, and are a trusted advisor and leader.  As a current Member with CFAR, how would you describe your role and involvement with the organization?

I love being a part of CFAR.  I do try to support them in any way I can as it is very important to me.  CFAR does so much in the community, and quite frankly, the province, and across the land it is recognized for the things it does.  So I’m very proud to be a member and a part of the supporting cast.

Outside of CFAR, what are the hobbies that get Mel excited?

I’m kind of an old cowboy, so I love being around my horses and I love being around my kids.  I love to golf with them, snowmobile with them, drive around and play in the mud.  My second priority is I love to be around people.  I love to listen, to hear what people are thinking, what they have to say, what their aspirations are.  Occasionally they ask for guidance and I’m always happy to do that.

What you see as the most important considerations when bringing together Indigenous and Non-Indigenous parties, between communities and industry? 

There are a couple things I think we’ve got to keep in mind.  2020 was a real breaker of barriers with Indigenous people, the black community… with people getting sick and tired of prejudice and discrimination.  So I think for CFAR there is such an opportunity for us to help build bridges between those of economic disparity and the “haves”, and I think there is a real opportunity where we can bring these folks together where they can share their desires and wants, and on the other side we can find a way of building bridges and helping those that are less fortunate: those who have the desire and just need an opportunity.

For those people who are not involved in CFAR, where do you see the value be it as a member or as a supporter?

Go out, search these people out, show them what the opportunities are, show them what the prizes can be and how important it is for society.  Get out there and introduce them, make them feel welcome, share with them our wants and our needs, and see what you can do to help make bridges.

In your experience with CFAR what have been some of your favourite experiences, and where do you see the most value in terms of events?

I really like the sessions where there are some speakers and interchange of ideas, where people get to intermingle because you develop relationships for them and for yourself that carry the whole idea of CFAR forward.  That is the most important for me.  Conventions have slowed down due to Covid, but I think there’s still lots of opportunities – even as we are chatting on zoom – to continue that effort and to make sure people feel welcome, no matter what their background.  Always ensuring that people are number 1.