Graeme started working at the Native Education College in 1989 to deliver the Native Tourism Supervisory Development Program at their main campus in Vancouver. This role evolved into program delivery in Terrace and Williams Lake, British Columbia until 2002.

Additional experience with indigenous communities since that time has included a 16 month contract as Senior Administrative Officer for the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation from November 2012 to March 2014. This role involved mentoring a local trainee (now the Senior Administrative Officer) in key management areas including:

• Policy Development & Constitutional Framework
• Custom Election Codes & Ratification Process

• Election Services (Chief Electoral Officer)
• Financial Recovery & Band Office Administration
• Team Building & Conflict Resolution
• Capacity Building & Mentorship

Later in 2014, Drew North Consulting (DNC) worked with the Gwichya Gwich'in Band to update and ratify its custom election code.  The updated document was based on extensive community consultation including public meetings, workshops, door-to-door canvassing of input, and house visits with elders in this remote Arctic community. The ratification process featured electronic voting (for the first time in northern Canada) which Graeme explains on CBC Radio, and in News North about the advantages of using online and phone voting for members outside the community. Members of the student government in the local school were recruited to assist in getting out the vote, and the quorum threshold with majority voter approval was successfully completed in June 2015 resulting in its first ever ratified custom election code. 

In 2014-2015, DNC worked with Nogha Enterprises Ltd. (economic development corporation of the Liidlii Kue First Nation) to prepare funding applications and update its business plan.  He also facilitated a strategic planning workshop with the Board of Directors which combined governance training with establishing its strategic priorities for its current terms of office.

In 2016, DNC was retained by the Katzie First Nation to facilitate its ratification vote to approve a land code. The voting methods included electronic voting and mail-in ballots in addition to voting in person at one of three polling stations.

Also in 2016, DNC was retained by the Cowichan Tribes to facilitate its ratification vote to approve a land code. The scope of work includes updating the elector list, organizing the mail-out of about 3,000 voter information kits, facilitating three voting methods including electronic voting, and counting all ballots received within the stated voting timeframe.

Native Education College, Vancouver, BC

Liidlii Kue First Nation