Melissa Hotain is currently serving her second consecutive term as an Elected Councillor for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in what is now southern Manitoba, a role she first held over 20 years ago—bringing her leadership full circle. One of her key portfolios is the Brandon Indian Residential School Project, where she advocates for the protection and commemoration of children who did not return home, as well as for residential school survivors.
With a background in environmental studies, Melissa spent ten years with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) working in policy analysis on First Nations environmental and legislative issues. Her work included research, planning, policy analysis, and strategic development related to environmental and First Nations matters. She also participated in regional, national, and international committees focused on land, water, and environmental issues.
For the past 12 years, Melissa has worked as an independent contractor on a wide range of initiatives, including research, policy analysis, facilitation and liaison services, conference coordination, proposal development, project management, program evaluation, and strategic planning.
She also worked with the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa (2018–2020) as a Project Coordinator in Emergency Management and as a Senior Policy Analyst in Water Issues. From 2020 to 2022, she served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Manitoba, leading the self-government file. Her experience in self-government began at the age of 18 as a youth representative for the Steering Committee, and she later served as Constitution Coordinator and Negotiations Manager.
In 2022, Melissa was appointed to the International Red River Board and is deeply committed to Indigenous water rights and issues. This is her second international appointment, having previously been nominated by Canada in 2015 to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Roster of Experts with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
She strongly believes in revitalizing and applying traditional knowledge, guided by a philosophy that decisions should be made with the health and well-being of future generations in mind.
