Raised in the tight-knit community of Eureka River, Secretary Barry Dibb’s journey has been defined by hard work, family, and a deep connection to his Métis roots. Barry attended school across Montagneuses Valley, Worsley, and Hines Creek, laying the foundation for a lifetime of dedication to his community. In 1976, he married his wife, Cindy, and together they moved to the Fairview area, where they raised two children and embraced a life grounded in ranching. His lineage traces back to the Basnett and Whiteford families of Grande-Clairiere, Manitoba, a heritage that continues to guide his personal and professional values.

Barry’s career has been as diverse as it has been dedicated. From working in construction and drilling rigs to owning a slashing company, he has always balanced hard work with an entrepreneurial spirit. Today, he continues to ranch alongside his family while contributing to the broader Métis community.

For over a decade, Barry has served in various leadership roles within the Métis Nation of Alberta. He held the position of Vice-President for Region 6 and has been both President and Vice-President of the Fairview Local. Throughout these roles, he has been recognized for his honest, accountable, and steadfast leadership — qualities he continues to bring to every initiative he undertakes.

In June, Barry was appointed Secretary of Rural and Economic Development by President Andrea Sandmaier, a role in which he now channels his experience, networks, and vision into supporting Métis entrepreneurship and economic growth.

In his role, Secretary Dibb focuses on advancing Métis economic priorities through a broad range of initiatives. Since June, he has hit the ground running. He has worked to facilitate opportunities for Métis entrepreneurs and businesses, helping them connect, expand their knowledge, and explore new avenues for growth. A key part of this work has been the ongoing enhancement of the Alberta Métis Works directory, improving its functionality and offerings to serve as a powerful tool for Métis-owned businesses and industry partners.

Secretary Dibb also plays a critical role in advancing participation in major projects, supporting equity stake negotiations to ensure Métis benefit from key economic development opportunities. He works closely with the federal Secretary of State (Rural Development) to advance the interests of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government while supporting initiatives to regulate purchasing and procurement in a way that balances cost competitiveness with the growth of Métis-owned businesses.

Supporting the Alberta Métis Artists Collective is another key aspect of Secretary Dibb’s portfolio. Through various events, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is able to showcase the creations of the many gifted artists within our Nation. This work hopes to move art from a side-gig to a career for many of our Citizen artists, essentially one component of reestablishing our cultural economy.

Finally, Secretary Dibb emphasizes that completing our Self Government Treaty will strengthen both economic and rural development. Within this context, his ongoing work prioritizes driving Métis economic development through entrepreneurship, major projects, and cultural enterprise, strengthening strategic partnerships with government and industry, advocating for inclusive economic policies, and engaging Citizens to identify local priorities in each District.