Staff

Stanley Bear (MBA)

Stanley Bear, a member of Peguis First Nations, has a MBA from Queen’s University. Mr. Bear has over two decades of experience in First Nations Business Development and has unparalleled expertise in business analysis, cost benefit analysis, organizational analysis, strategic planning, project management and in program and project evaluations.

Mr. Bear has over fifteen years of experience with the Federal Government, managing programs at the senior level for First Nations Economic Development within Industry Canada. When he left the public service in 1998, he was the Associate Regional Director of First Nations Business Canada for the Western Region.

One of Mr. Bear’s major contracts is with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs where he has plays a lead role in developing private sector partnerships for First Nations economic development. At the AMC, Mr. Bear is also involved in First Nations Human Resource Development policy and programming, negotiating federal government contracts and First Nations sub-agreements, policy analysis and recommendations across a broad range of economic and business development initiatives.

Mr. Bear currently serves on the Board for Community Ownership Solutions Inc (COS), an independent not-for-profit development corporation based in Winnipeg which aims to provide an enterprise-based approach to creating quality jobs for Manitobans.

Lorne Cochrane

Lorne Cochrane is the former Executive Director for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. In March 2001, Mr. Cochrane joined the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as their Director of Special Projects and was given the responsibility to manage the following key files in the organization: Framework Agreement Initiative, Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and Human Resource Development program.

Prior to joining the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Mr. Cochrane was the Associate Regional Director General and Regional Director General for Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, Manitoba Region. Mr. Cochrane has extensive experience and knowledge of First Nations programs and services, federal and provincial government legislation and policies and directives.

As a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, where he served as both Chief and Councilor, Mr. Cochrane has committed his career to the advancement of First Nations issues both at the grassroots and regional levels. Mr. Cochrane believes the enhancement of the lives of First Nations people in Manitoba and communities is absolutely integral to the best interests of all Manitobans.

George Bailey CMA, B.A. (Economics)

George Bailey is a member of the Teslin Tribal Council of the Yukon Territory.  He served as the Director of Finance for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, managing the accounting and information technology departments for the head office of the entity.  Mr. Bailey also served as the Toronto Dominion Bank Area Manager and managed and coached business sales and marketing for the branches in the Manitoba market.  He has also instructed in accounting courses for Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) at a Winnipeg location.

Since early 2009, Mr. Bailey has worked with Indigenous Management Group Inc. providing enhanced third party management and co-management financial advisory services to different First Nations, including Rosseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Berens River First Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and others. 

Mr. Bailey is an accounting/financial leader with over 30 years experience, with excellent financial analysis skills and exceptional relationship building skills, and with strengths in implementation of new financial systems for cost accounting, working effectively with First Nations communities and agencies, and achieving organizational and fiscal objectives