Gina Nagano

Gina M Nagano is a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation Citizen; she is of the Wolf Clan from Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada.  

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Gina retired from her first career as a sergeant after serving 21 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  

She has first-hand knowledge of the failure and impacts of colonial and western approaches to the wellbeing in the communities in which she has lived and worked. 

Today, she brings this knowledge, together with her education in community economic development, and lived-experience as an Indigenous person, to chart a decolonized path towards healing, wellness and Indigenous Economic Sustainability — one that starts by understanding the unique social and cultural contexts of communities and promotes the wellness of individuals as a pre-requisite for positive participation in economic opportunities. It has also set a foundation for meaningful participation in economic negotiations with government and industry seeking to develop on the traditional territories of the communities where she works.  

Gina’s expertise and passion for Indigenous safety and wellbeing guides alternative models of economic development that are in demand across Canada and around the world.  

Gina is either the owner or co-owner of several businesses in the north; House of Wolf & Associates Inc., First Peoples Coffee, Ravenshield Studio and Tr’ochëk Energy.  

In 2021, Gina’s business, House of Wolf & Associates, was awarded the Arctic Inspiration Prize for this transformative approach.  

In 2023, Gina was the winner of the Arctic Investment Conference entrepreneur award for best demonstrating excellence, creativity, and innovation in their business or profession and for the success and/or growth of a business, while exemplifying the ideals of an emerging leader in their industry in 2022.