Our Team

Chief Darcy Bear – Chairman of the Board

Darcy Bear is Chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and Chair of the Whitecap Development Corporation Board of Directors. He was re-elected as Chief for a ninth consecutive term in November 2020 and has served his Community, since 1991. Chief Bear's leadership has been focused on financial accountability for Whitecap, self-government, and job creation through partnerships. Today, Whitecap enjoys a reputation as one of Canada's most successful communities in investment attraction and job creation.

Chief Bear's focus on “progress through partnerships' has been pivotal to this status as he and Band Council have worked with the federal government, the provincial government, neighboring rural municipalities and communities, as well as corporations and businesses.

The result of this focus on sustainable economic growth includes positioning Whitecap as a highly desirable joint venture partner and creating in excess of 650 jobs at Whitecap. To Chief Bear, the most important outcome of sustainable economic growth is Whitecap's ability to provide more services to its citizens.

Dwayne Eagle – Board Director

Councillor Dwayne Eagle plays an active role in the economic development initiatives of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. His interest and purpose serves him well in his position as Councillor and as a member of several committees. Councillor Eagle's portfolio includes Health and Social Development, Child and Family Services (CFS), Whitecap Children's Center (Daycare), Fire Protection, Justice, Residential School, Environmental and Hunting and Trapping.

Frank Royal – Board Director

Frank Royal serves as a Band Councillor of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Frank was previously employed as Employment & Business Development Manager prior to being re-elected as a Councillor in 2020. Councillor Royal currently holds portfolios in Education, Culture and Recreation, Employment and Training, Post Secondary Education, Land Management, Agriculture, and Membership.

Warren Buffalo – Board Director

Warren Buffalo is a Whitecap Band Member and has served as a Director since 2004. Warren has served as a Band Councillor, the Band's Lands Officer and he currently serves as the General Manager.

Arnold Stone – Board Director

Arnold Stone is a resident of the Whitecap community and has been a board member of the Whitecap Development Corporation since its inception. A retired employee of the neighboring Dundurn Military Base, Arnold is also an active member of the Whitecap Community. He has been the Whitecap Volunteer Fire Chief for 20 years and sits on various community committees.

Darrell Balkwill – CEO

Darrell Balkwill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Whitecap Development Corporation. He has 30 years of experience in First Nations economic development and has worked with Whitecap for the past 15 years.
Mr. Balkwill holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer Certification from the Council for the Advancement of Economic Development Officers.

Darrell is currently a Director on the Boards of STC Investments Corporation; STC Casino Holdings Corporation; Dakota Dunes Golf Links; Whitecap Industrial Services partnerships; and Dakota Dunes Hotels LP.