Cathie Bolstad is a lifelong Northerner who grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon. Her parents, Jerry and Rose, moved to the North from Nova Scotia. Cathie has spent the last 30 years living in Yellowknife, where she now has children and grandchildren.

Cathie's educational background includes formal training in economics and business, with a focus on marketing communications. Throughout her career, she’s introduced new products and technologies to the North, covering regions such as the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Northern Quebec. Notably, she played a role in bringing cable television to northern communities, working with local channels and the CBC to ensure that the stories of Northern people were told.

“I've always worked to make sure that the vibrancy of the North and the people of the north are reflected in change that comes their way and that it survives the change,” she explained.

For a decade, Cathie worked in the mining industry as a socioeconomic practitioner. In this role, she helped Indigenous communities understand the impacts of proposed mining projects and negotiated agreements to ensure they benefited from these developments. Her work also focused on protecting the land and environment as mines were developed. This experience has given her a unique perspective on the regulatory system, which she now brings to her role on the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. She believes that understanding the viewpoint of proponents, especially in terms of rules and regulations, is valuable in ensuring that development in the North benefits local communities while protecting natural resources for future generations.

One significant experience that shaped Cathie’s perspective occurred during her time working in tourism. She met a Gwich'in Elder running a fish camp and encouraged her run the camp as a tourist attraction. But the Elder told her that would change the way she interacted with the land and people.

“For me, it was an ‘aha’ moment of the things that are just so natural and so obvious are always to be first protected as a way of living,” she said.

In retirement, Cathie decided to apply for a position on the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board because of her background as a proponent and her desire to continue to serve the Northwest Territories.

In her time on the board, Cathie has been involved in important discussions, particularly during the recent intense wildfire seasons. She emphasized the need for regulatory processes to adapt to unforeseen circumstances while still protecting the environment and upholding safety standards for society.

“I think I've always been motivated in whatever work I do, that I'm making a difference in lives that's positive and that I'm learning,” she said.

Looking ahead, she wants to ensure that new policies and guidelines are efficient for all participants in the system, whether they are proponents or interveners. She is committed to building and maintaining trust in the co-management system for land and water in the NWT.