Énska Welcomes Shadrak (Shak) Gobert as General Manager
Updated: Oct 5
Shadrak (Shak) Gobert brings more than a decade of experience working across Indigenous communities through engagement, entrepreneurship, technology, infrastructure and economic development.
A member of Ayîk Sâkahikan (Frog Lake First Nation) in Northern Alberta and of Nêhiyawak (Plains Cree) descent from Treaty 6, Shak's focus is on creating meaningful opportunities for all First Nations while respecting relationships, histories and territories.
These perspectives make him a natural addition to Énska's team. Our existence has always been around the idea that Indigenous participation in real estate and development should be about governance, ownership and long-term community wealth. And while a project is often approached with differing priorities, experiences and expectations, the work we do requires understanding and the ability to bring people together. Shak has spent his career doing just that.
Understanding community
Unfortunately, economic disparities such as lack of housing on reserves force many First Nations families in Canada off of their land. This is an experience Shak's own family has dealt with and is what motivates him to close the gap.
Helping Indigenous communities achieve real reconciliation through economic sovereignty and own source revenue is a thread that weaves throughout his professional background.
His expertise has centred on negotiating Impact Benefit Agreements; conducting environmental assessments for Michipicoten First Nation in Ontario; supporting infrastructure projects on traditional territories; organizing and facilitating community gatherings; and conducting public consultations with community members.
Earlier in his career, Shak worked with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), providing on-site field support across the network and engaging with more than 26 urban First Nations communities. His work included programming, events and relationship-building with communities across Ontario.
These experiences give Shak an understanding into the importance of listening first, building trust and recognizing that every community and project have their own context.
Where culture, creativity and innovation meet
Shak successfully grew a tech startup at the intersection of government technology and First Nations community development and expanded its growth from Ontario to British Columbia. He learned how technology can support communities, governments and organizations, and proved that First Nations can be creators, owners and participants in shaping tech innovation.
That belief is reflected in Shak's ongoing work exploring augmented reality, 3D modelling, Indigenous art, and mural design. He is the founder of Peyak Innovation, an Indigenous art and augmented reality initiative that brings Cree design, storytelling, knowledge and narratives into contemporary mediums.
Building relationships through place
As an Indigenous Engagement Advisor with Monumental, Shak contributed to projects that explore how Indigenous history, knowledge and perspectives can inform public spaces and the experience of place.
He was involved in the cultural programming and community education at Toronto's newly expanded Biidaasige Park and is currently part of the Ookwemin Minising project. This new waterfront island includes Indigenous engagement, landscape architecture, public space, infrastructure and housing in shaping how the site is understood and experienced. It is a perfect example of what can happen when Indigenous knowledge is included in the entire development process instead of just an addition at the end.
Skills that complement our team
For Énska, one of the most important aspects of Shak's experience is his focus on Indigenous economic sustainability.
His work with communities, governments, infrastructure projects and technology gives him a broad view of the opportunities — and challenges — involved in building sustainable pathways for First Nations. That nuance also helps him align Indigenous communities with developers, governments, investors and partners seeking to build better relationships as well as better projects now and into the future.
We are excited to have Shak bring that experience, creativity and perspective to Énska.