About

My name is Hopeton Arscott Louden. In addition to being the proud father of three grown children, I am a business management professional with extensive experience in the Community Social and Economic Development sectors. I have over 35 years experience working with Aboriginal Peoples and communities.

My most recent work is called “Self-determining, Self-identifying and, Self-defining – The Wesley First Nation Community’s Indicators of Community Well-being”.

My career has ranged throughout the areas of governance, administration, management and program development in the community and human services sectors, including community economic development, social supports, education and training. I have worked in the private sector, non-government organizations, municipal government (elected Deputy Reeve for Rocky View County, Alberta), and Aboriginal governments (CEO of Wesley First Nation).

My job experience runs the gamut from front-line to management and governance. I initiated the start-up and operation of a social and community services agency. I have extensive experience in developing innovative programs for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples on and off reserves

and in urban and rural settings. I have a keen ability to identify assets within a community and to assist communities in developing practical solutions to the challenges they face.

A number of factors have fostered a sensibility for listening and garnering the essence of what is being said and what is left unspoken: born and raised in a post-colonial society (Jamaica); doing post-secondary and graduate programs in Canada; sitting as an elected official in local government; and extensive work with First Nations peoples. Having lived these experiences in these different worlds provides for a unique ability to transcend the world view perspectives and nuances of cross-cultural communication between worlds.