Executive Profile: Greg Ahenakew

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Executive Profile: Greg Ahenakew
CEO, Indigenous Gaming Regulators


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Greg Ahenakew’s love of learning, travel and different cultures makes him a perfect fit as CEO of the Indigenous Gaming Regulators (IGR), a position he came to six years ago just as the gaming industry was growing and evolving in Saskatchewan.

“It was a time of a lot of change in the gaming industry; the operational side with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) and the Saskatchewan Government, as well as the challenge of trying to reach an agreement with SLGA. But dealing with people and outside organizations is something I enjoy.”

Prior to becoming IGR’s CEO, Ahenakew was a vice chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the province’s political organization. While the segue from this position to IGR was not necessarily an obvious one, it’s a step he is very happy he took.

“I had limited experience in the gaming industry and it was a very steep and sharp learning scale. I enjoy learning. And of course in this industry you are always learning.”

A member of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation, which is a Treaty 6 First Nation, Ahenakew grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. After high school, he attended Rauland Academy in Norway and earned a diploma in Norwegian language, culture and art.

“Actually it was my mom’s idea,” he recalled. “She met a woman from Norway who said the school was looking for someone of Native ancestry to attend. It was an opportunity to travel, meet new people and experience a different country, language and culture. It’s instilled in me a lifelong love of travelling.”

After returning from Norway, he attended the University of Saskatchewan and studied history and law. He then attended the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and received two diplomas in business administration and accountancy.

After many years of working at all levels of First Nations government, Ahenakew has a thorough understanding of federal, provincial and First Nations governments, politics and culture.

In 2002, he and five other very dedicated individuals were presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for their work in helping First Nations communities.

“It was an honor and something I certainly didn’t expect in my role as vice chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. We were part of a group that works hard to advance the First Nations cause.”

As CEO of IGR—which has a mandate to licence and regulate on-reserve charitable lottery schemes for First Nations—Ahenakew oversees its operation and administration, and meets and networks with many industry professionals, both First Nation and operators and with government. There is also the opportunity for IGR to replace SLGA as the regulator in First Nations casinos, of which there are six in the province.

“This is very exciting. It means there’s a lot of First Nations people working in these casinos. It’s a very well-run organization. There is a lot of money that goes out to the First Nations as a result of gaming. We have an agreement with the province regarding the licensing of all charitable gaming in First Nations communities as well as SIGA table games. We have a phased process. We’ve completed phase one and are now awaiting the SLGA to begin negotiations of phase II, which is the registration of First Nations gaming employees. Phase III is the registration of gaming suppliers.”

In his limited spare time, this father of four enjoys spending time at home and golfing when he gets a chance. And although he has no major trips planned at this time, mainly due to time commitments, he would like to visit South America or the South Pacific.

And if that weren’t enough, he’s also enrolled in a master’s program in business administration through the University of Regina. “It’s a going to be a long journey,” he says, but no doubt one that he will enjoy.

By Lisa Kopochinski, industry writer