Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/445835
Being elected the fi rst female chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, and one of the youngest chiefs in Ontario at the age of 31, are just a few of the milestones of Chief Donna Big Canoe's career and life. Her most signifi cant work to date is her participation in negotiations for the Coldwater-Narrows Land Claim between the federal government and the Chippewa Tri-Council. In this role, she carried on the work of her predecessors on behalf of her council and community and worked with her fellow chiefs from the tri-council. The group received an offer which was approved by each First Nation. Pending federal approval, this could be one of the largest settlements in Canadian history. Chief Big Canoe is helping to build on the past and create a brighter future for her community. As chief, her top three priorities are the health and well-being of her community, education and creating employment opportunities. In her pursuit of these, she has brought her band council closer together than ever before to work with a united voice and heal old fractures between community members. For her efforts, she was presented with an eagle feather in her fi rst term as chief, a gift that symbolizes respect and recognition of leadership. chief committed to building a brighter future The Canadian Safety Association uses his specifi cations as the benchmark for safety in design. The "Kid Spaces" project that he also designed and managed later became the template for McDonald's playlands. In the 1990s, George co-founded Mobile Airships Inc. His radio controlled lighter-than-air vehicles were built and fl own for advertising, commercial, government, educational, scientifi c and aerial camera work. NASA's jet propulsion laboratory sought his fi rm's expertise for the study of fl ight exploration of Titan (Saturn's largest moon) and other signifi cant projects. At Magenn Power Inc., George developed the world's fi rst high altitude wind turbine, MARS (Magenn Air Rotor System). This innovation led him to be a featured guest on Discovery Channel's Project Earth: Infi nite Winds. Currently, as the Chief Technology Offi cer for Buoyant Aircraft Systems International, George continues to use his aviation design expertise to develop the world's fi rst all-metal cargo buoyant aircraft capable of carrying materials and supplies to Northern Canada. These aircraft hold promise to reduce the effects of poverty and regional disparity of people living in remote areas by reducing the cost of delivering food and supplies. "My time at Georgian made me want to live and breathe design. I wanted to make new products that would make a difference," says George. George also has patents for the Aqua Ray Diving Vehicle (1995), the Cordless Lawn Mower (1990) and was instrumental in the design of the fi rst compact cellular phones for Motorola Corp. in 1985. "My time at Georgian made me want to live and breathe design. I wanted to make new products that would make a difference." chief Donna Big canoe category: community services native education – community and social Development, 1998, Barrie campus chief, chippewas of Georgina island first nation GeorgianView 2012/13 | 25