James is a specialist in community relations, engagement, and logistics in the area of socio-economic development with a background in the manufacturing sector and communications. He has extensive experience organizing and conducting meetings with elders, hereditary chiefs elected Councils, and corporations to identify opportunities and explore constructive community/business options. Consent for business and social development requires:

• understanding Indigenous communities, and their tribal and political organization and processes;
• understanding corporations and industry;
• access to impartial verifiable information;
• respecting the opinions of others;
• communication, and;
• honest discussion.

Successful community/project engagement must be carried out in the appropriate spirit of respect and cooperation to build sustaining trust. James believes that this requires care and diligence since, “it can take twenty years to build a reputation, and five minutes to lose it.”