John Desjarlais (BE’11, MBA’15)

Outstanding Impact Award

As a professional engineer, John Desjarlais (BE’11, MBA’15) is committed to seeking solutions that address some of the challenges and opportunities faced by society, including Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan and across Canada. A Néhinaw-Métis citizen from Cumberland House, Sask., and a respected leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and business, Desjarlais facilitates sustainable economic development that respects Indigenous sovereignty and advocates for equitable inclusion in the natural resources sector.

Desjarlais’ career path in the natural resources sector began in 2001, when he completed classes at the Northern Professional Access College (NORPAC) and a certificate in radiation and environmental monitoring at Northlands College in La Ronge, Sask. Shortly thereafter, he began his career in the mining industry, working with Cameco—one of the world’s largest uranium producers—for 16 years in a variety of increasingly senior roles. While at Cameco, Desjarlais decided to study at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree at the College of Engineering in 2011, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the Edwards School of Business in 2015.

During his time as a student at USask, Desjarlais learned that post-secondary students from rural and remote locations often face unique challenges, both culturally and academically. As a result, Desjarlais helped develop the Northern Administrative Student Association (NASA), with the goal of bridging home life and the university experience, and helped revitalize the Indigenous Students’ Society (ISC). As ISC president, he brought in new policies and procedures to enable the student group to better serve the needs of the growing Indigenous student body on campus. In 2015, Desjarlais was named the recipient of the USSU Young Alumni Excellence Award. In 2019, he received an Indigenous Achievement Award while studying at USask’s Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, where he took classes on topics such as Northern governance, resource management, and Indigenous consultation and negotiations. He also participated in an international field school to Norway and then helped plan a parallel international field trip for students to Cumberland House in 2021.

Following his employment at Cameco, Desjarlais worked as the CEO of Saskatchewan River Business Corporation, the general manager of Great Plains Contracting, and the executive director of the Indigenous Resource Network. Today, he is a partner and the chief impact officer at kihew Consulting and Research. At kihew, Desjarlais facilitates sustainable economic development that respects Indigenous sovereignty and environmental/economic stewardship. Facilitated through his consultancy as an executive service, he was a national voice for Indigenous workers at the Indigenous Resource Network, advocating for equitable inclusion in the natural resources sector. He has also been a pivotal figure in AISES, a nonprofit organization that is focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in STEM studies and careers. This led to the creation of AISES Canada, in which Desjarlais served as the Inaugural board chair and works to build this organization in Canada.

By bridging the gap between Western industrial practices and Indigenous ways of knowing, Desjarlais works to ensures that the economic benefits of the land are shared more equitably with the people who have been its stewards for generations. He continues to be a role model for engineering and geoscience professionals, taking on increasingly senior volunteer roles with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS), including as the first Indigenous vice-president in 2020 and as president in 2023. Known for his friendly approach to relationship building and stakeholder engagement, Desjarlais is successfully fostering partnerships and driving change within industry. As a result, throughout his career he has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades, such the Scotiabank Aboriginal Business Education Award in 2012, a CBC Future 40 award nomination in 2016, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022, the AISES Community Partner award in 2022, and the AISES Professional of the Year award (Executive Excellence) in 2023.