Deanna Hamilton, O.C.
Kelowna, British Columbia
Deanna Hamilton’s vision, leadership and persistence have led to greater economic independence for Indigenous communities across Canada. In retirement, she used her business expertise to spearhead a new property tax program for the Westbank First Nation, a model that has since been adopted by other First Nations. Concurrently, she worked to establish the First Nations’ Finance Authority, a landmark achievement that permits access to capital markets—a critical step in giving First Nations greater autonomy in shaping their own futures.