John Beaucage C.M. is a Special Advisor at Counsel Public Affairs and is one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous leaders, with a tremendous depth of experience engaging with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and communities across Canada

John is a strong advocate for Indigenous health and environmental responsibility.

Eyaabay (his traditional name) is a Pipe Carrier from the Bear Clan, and a band member of Wasauksing First Nation. John was raised on the Shawanaga First Nation and has extended family in Nipissing First Nation.

In 2004, after serving four consecutive terms as Chief of Wasauksing First Nation, John was elected as Grand Council Chief of the 42-member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians).

John has served on several boards and as CEO of the Lake Huron Anishinabek Transmission Company. In 2010, he was appointed as Ontario’s first Indigenous Advisor to the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Among his many public service roles, John previously sat on the Premier’s Cabinet for Smoke-Free Ontario, Ontario’s Expert Panel on Climate Change and the Ontario Biodiversity Council. He currently works on green energy projects with several Indigenous communities across the country.

In 2023, John was named as a Member of the Order of Canada “for his exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous communities in Canada.” John has also been awarded an Honourary Doctorate from Nipissing University.