Wood Buffalo Community Foundation’s Signature Event will Honour Michael Cardinal and Hector (Mickey) Demers with
$1 Million Corporate Challenge
The second annual Building Legacy, Building Community event will celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Mickey (Hector) Demers and Michael Cardinal, two respected Métis leaders who built their lives and businesses in the Wood Buffalo region from the ground up, shaping the community and inspiring others through their commitment to giving back.
March 21, 2026
5:30PM
SMS Equipment Place
Tickets on sale
Individual or Tables of 8
Semi-Formal Attire
The Honourees
Hector (Mickey) Demers
Hector (Mickey) Demers was a proud Métis entrepreneur and a pillar of the Fort McMurray community. A man of the outdoors, Mickey found his greatest joy on the river, around a campfire listening to his brothers play music, or sharing a laugh with a good joke.
From humble beginnings, he built Demers Contracting Services from two employees into a thriving success with 300 people and 100 pieces of equipment, always using his achievements to give back to the region. From supporting local athletes and sports organizations, Keyano College and their trades program, to leading the Northern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, his contributions were significant and memorable.
Above all, Mickey was a devoted family man, sharing 37 years of adventure with his wife, Sue, and their beloved children and grandchildren.
His spirit remains woven into the lives of everyone who knew him, inspiring the next generation of Indigenous leaders and community-builders.
Michael Cardinal
Born in Fort Chipewyan, Michael Cardinal is widely known and admired in Indigenous business throughout the Wood Buffalo region. Raised by his great-grandparents and deeply rooted in land connection and traditional knowledge, Michael’s journey from a young trapper on the land to a respected entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and vision.
With great determination and will, Michael launched Lakeshore Sports in 1981 with little more than the cash in his pocket. A few years later, his care for the community pushed him to help lead the construction of the winter road to Fort Chipewyan—now named in his honour. A spirit of community service defined his career as he went on to found Lakeshore Contracting, which grew to employ over 200 employees, and Lakeshore Helicopters, expanding to a fleet of six helicopters.
Beyond business, Michael remained closely connected with Métis culture and community life. He cherished time with family, mentored many, and found joy attending Métis fiddle festivals, celebrating music, kinship, and heritage that reflected his lifelong connection to culture.
A devoted family man and quiet leader, Michael’s legacy lives not only in the companies he built, but opportunities and paths he cleared for future Indigenous leaders – always guided by humility, generosity, and an unwavering love for community.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
WBCF Corporate Challenge
In conjunction with the event, WBCF is launching a $1 million corporate challenge to establish a permanent endowment fund to honour Michael and Mickey’s legacies. Corporations, organizations, and community leaders are invited to join, helping support Indigenous initiatives within the region for generations to come.
“On behalf of the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation, we are deeply grateful to the Demers and Cardinal families for allowing us to celebrate Michael and Mickey’s enduring legacies. Their leadership and generosity set a powerful example, inspiring our continued commitment to building a stronger future.
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, Chair, Wood Buffalo Community Foundation
“By supporting the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation’s vital work, we hope to ensure that Michael and Mickey’s legacy of generosity and community spirit continue to enrich the region they cared for so deeply.”
Melanie Antoine, CEO of A.P.E. Maintenance Ltd.
