Sydney Oakes is a public affairs leader who has spent nearly a decade advising Indigenous Chiefs, Councils, administrations, and organizations on government relations and community-driven development. As Director of Indigenous Relations and Public Affairs at Canada Nickel, Sydney leads strategies that advance responsible critical minerals development while ensuring Indigenous partnership, environmental stewardship, and meaningful long-term benefits for local communities. Sydney played a central role in securing Taykwa Tagamou Nation’s $20-million investment in Canada Nickel — the largest known First Nations investment in a Canadian critical minerals project — establishing a new model for partnership between Indigenous governments and the natural resource sector. Before joining Canada Nickel, Sydney served as Director of Policy and Provincial Affairs for the Chiefs of Ontario and co-founded Provoke Public Affairs, where she worked across sectors to lead legislative initiatives, specializing in policy analysis and public-sector engagement. Across all her roles, she has maintained a clear focus on co-development, economic reconciliation, and Nation-to-Nation collaboration.