Our Team

Chief Darcy Bear – Chairman of the Board

Darcy Bear is Chief of the Whitecap Dakota 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 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 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.

Allison Daniels – Board Director

Allison Daniels is a Commerce graduate from the University of Saskatchewan who is deeply committed to advancing her community, the Whitecap Dakota Nation. She brings 15 years of combined experience in the Gaming and Hospitality sectors and has also served as Campaign Manager for the Self-Government Ratification, where she played a key role in achieving an impressive 92% approval rate for the nation.

Currently, Allison is the Business & Employment Development Manager for Whitecap Dakota Nation. Utilizing her expertise and education, she is dedicated to promoting business and employment growth within the community, positively impacting individual members as well as various businesses and projects.

Bradon Eagle – Board Director

Bradon grew up and currently lives in Whitecap Dakota Nation. Bradon graduated from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies in 2009 with his ABE 12 and went on to further his education at Sask Polytech from 2012 to 2016, where he trained to become an Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Domestic Gas Fitter.

Building on his skills and experience, Bradon founded Redeagle Plumbing and Heating Inc. in 2017, continuing to grow his expertise in the trades sector. In 2023, he completed additional training through the pipefitter union to become a General Gas Fitter. That same year, his business was recognized as a finalist in the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition presented by SREDA. Through his successful venture, Councilor Eagle has developed extensive knowledge in operating a business within the trades sector. 

Darrell Balkwill – CEO

Darrell Balkwill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Whitecap Development Corporation. He has 30 years of experience in 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.