Sonya Cloutier - Director of Planning and Infrastructure

Sonya began her role as Sagamok’s Director of Planning and Infrastructure on June 30, 2025. Born in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Sonya Cloutier is a proud French Canadian whose ancestry is deeply rooted in both Indigenous and settler histories.

With strong ties to Le Bas-Saint-Laurent and a connection to the legacy of Champlain, her family was among the first to build homes in what is now Canada. Her lineage also includes Menominee and Potawatomi ancestry from the Green Bay region, dating back to the 1500s, connecting her to the lands and waters of the Great Lakes for generations.

Sonya’s connection to the environment, land, and community began early. Growing up in Elliot Lake Canada’s largest legacy mining site she witnessed firsthand the environmental impacts of industrial development, as well as the resilience of communities working together toward recovery. These experiences led her to a career in Integrated Resource Management, rooted in environmental stewardship, community development, and systems thinking.

Over the years, Sonya has worked across multiple sectors and regions in Northern Ontario. With the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, she contributed to the development of the province’s first Land Use Plan and participated in the Ontario Living Legacy (OLL) project. She has also worked in the mining industry, helping to license precious metals mines and develop closure plans for tailings management units, always with a focus on sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. As a Forest Compliance Officer, she has supported the development and oversight of numerous Forest Management Plans (FMPs) across the Northeast and Northwest regions. Additionally, she has worked with the Terentorus Fish Hatchery to support Ontario’s angling industry, a key contributor to the province’s economy and ecological sustainability.

Sonya has proudly served for over 10 years on the board of the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation (EACFDC), helping to drive economic development in the Algoma region. Through this role, she has supported local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community initiatives by fostering economic flow-through and long-term sustainability.

A retired Lieutenant (Navy) with the Canadian Armed Forces, Sonya brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to all of her work. Yet, she names her proudest role as being the mother of an incredible 16-year-old, who continues to inspire her path. Sonya has collaborated with several First Nations communities and organizations including Niigaaniin, Mamaweswen, and Serpent River First Nation supporting their goals through strategic planning, emergency management planning, capital infrastructure development, and comprehensive community planning. These partnerships have focused on self-determination, environmental stewardship, and long-term visioning. With a career that bridges government, industry, and Indigenous governance, Sonya Cloutier is a passionate and grounded leader committed to collaborative change, land-based healing, and building a sustainable future for all.