April  is a passionate and dedicated Northern Indigenous business woman who has lived in Yellowknife since she was eight years old and considers herself a true northerner. She is Métis, originally from Saskatchewan. She attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning her Science degree in biology, with a focus on the Arctic. She soon missed the north after university and moved back to Yellowknife.

April has been involved in the mining industry for over 20 years when she started her career as a site Biologist during the construction phase of Diavik Diamond Mines. April then went on to own and operate her own logistics business for 15 years servicing a number of resource exploration projects, one of which was Gahcho Kue. Since 2005, April and her northern businesses has been providing services to the DeBeers Gahcho Kue project.

Through hard work and entrepreneurship April has created meaningful training and employment opportunities in communities throughout Canada’s North. She is a highly successful owner-manager, able to bring together multiple parties and priorities to achieve project success. Her dedication, practical leadership style and knowledge of the northern business climate has led to the impressive growth of Khione Resources (which she herself founded). Through her business ventures Ms. Desjarlais has developed lasting relationships with local organizations, suppliers, employers and employees.

‍

‍