Economic developer recognized by governor general: Dawn Madahbee Leach receives medal for meritorious service.

Dawn Madahbee Leach has been recognized for her service to Indigenous economic development with a Governor General's Meritorious Service Cross.

The first Indigenous woman to lead a regional financial lending institution, Madahbee Leach has had a positive impact on the quality of life and economic well-being of Indigenous Canadians within her community and across the country.

Madahbee Leach has served as general manager of the Waubetek Economic Development Corp. since 1989, where she has overseen millions of dollars of investments in Indigenous businesses and has helped establish community development projects throughout Northern Ontario.

She has served on a number of boards and committees, including for the Northern Policy Institute, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp., and the Ontario Development Corp. Madahbee Leach has also served on council for her home community of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Most recently, through her role at Waubetek, Madahbee Leach has helped...