Honouring Our Indigenous Roots for a Stronger Tomorrow

Wood Buffalo Community Foundation’s Signature Event to Honour Michael Cardinal and Hector (Mickey) Demers with $1 Million Corporate Challenge

FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Feb. 10, 2026 – The Wood Buffalo Community Foundation is honoured to announce the second annual Building Legacy, Building Community event on March 21, 2026, at SMS Equipment Place. The evening 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.

“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,” said Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, Chair, Wood Buffalo Community Foundation. “Their leadership and generosity set a powerful example, inspiring our continued commitment to building a stronger future.”

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. Two local businesses, Bouchier and A.P.E. Maintenance Ltd., are stepping up as the first organizations to make contributions toward Michael and Mickey’s legacies, contributing $250,000 and $100,000, respectively.

“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.

Corporations, organizations, and community leaders are invited to join the challenge by contributing to the $1 million goal, helping support Indigenous initiatives within the region for generations to come. Interested corporations can contact WBCF to participate.

Tickets now available
Tickets for 2026 Building Legacy, Building Community are on sale! We invite you to be part of an inspirational evening: https://www.wbcfoundation.ca/2026-signature-event

Meet Kelly Hansen, WBCF's Executive Director

Meet Kelly Hansen, WBCF's Executive Director

This June, Kelly Hansen joined WBCF as the new executive director, bringing with her a rich background in the social sector and a deep-rooted commitment to community well-being. Her journey into the non-profit world began in a pivotal moment for Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo—one that every resident will remember well.

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The Wood Buffalo Community Foundation is planning to raise an estimated amount of $1,000,000 this year on fundraising campaigns. It will cost our organization an estimate of $120,000 to raise this. The money raised will be going to benefit communities within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo by encouraging, supporting, and building healthy, vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities;.  For further information, please contact office@wbcfoundation.ca.  Our physical address is: 9917 Biggs Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB, T9H 1S2.