Board of Directors

The Honourable Mayor Mike Spence

Mayor, Town of Churchill, Co-Chairman, Arctic Gateway Group

The Honourable Mayor Michael Spence was born and raised in Churchill, Manitoba. After graduating, he was employed with Federal Public Works Department and Churchill pre-fab housing plan. From 1976 to present Mayor Spence has developed three successful ongoing businesses, including ownership of a very successful local full service hotel.

Among Mayor Spence’s businesses achievements is Wat’chee Expeditions, a specialized eco-tourism company that provides guided activities into Wapusk National Park from his lodge in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Of particular interests to visitors are the denning polar bears that can be observed during the operating season, which extends from mid-February through March.

Mayor Spence was elected as Councillor in 1989 and served on Churchill Economic Advisory Committee and also served as the chairman of the Churchill Regional Health Centre Board. In 1992, Mayor Spence was re-elected and installed as Deputy Mayor. Mr. Spence was elected Mayor in 1995 and has served consecutively in that capacity since. Mayor Spence is very active in the promotion of Churchill, tourism, and preservation of Northern Culture and Heritage. So much so, that in the past he has served on the Travel Manitoba Board. Mayor Spence has also been a member of the Manitoba Hydro Board since 2002 and has serves on the Advisory Council to the Order of Manitoba.

Chief Betsy Kennedy

Chief, War Lake First Nation, Board Member, Arctic Gateway Group

Chief Betsy Kennedy is the Chief of War Lake First Nation, a role she has served for five terms since 2006. After completing her postsecondary education with a focus in Social Work, Ms. Kennedy also served as a Councillor for War Lake from 1998 to 2006.

Ms. Kennedy was born in Herchmer, MB (Mile Marker 412 of the Hudson Bay Railway), the eldest granddaughter of the founding Chief of War Lake Adam Dick. With her family’s roots running deep with the Railway, Ms. Kennedy continues to be an advocate for the communities it serves, and has made building infrastructure to benefit the economic wellbeing of the War Lake First Nation her goal as Chief.

As a Board Member for the Arctic Gateway Group, Ms. Kennedy’s educational background and experiential knowledge in health, northern development and land entitlement assist in understanding the North’s needs and challenges from a First Nations perspective, and was as key part of the negotiations that brought the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill into the Arctic Gateway Group.

Cal Huntley

Director, Arctic Gateway Group

Born and raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Cal has spent most of his life experiencing Manitoba’s northern communities. Cal served two terms as Mayor of Flin Flon and former Chair of the Northern Regional Health Authority. In addition, Cal is the chair of several other initiatives and organizations in the north, including the Flin Flon and District Assessment and Referral Service, and most recently, the MMDF Application Review Committee. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Mining Association of Manitoba, Community Futures Greenstone, and the Flin Flon Junior Bombers of the SJHL.

Recently retired, Cal worked as the HR Special Projects Superintendent at Hudbay Minerals Inc. Cal is the proud father of two beautiful grown daughters, Sydnie and Mallory, and grandfather to four wonderful grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his family at the cottage and the occasional game of golf.