As we close the chapter on 2024, I am deeply honoured to reflect on the progress we have made at Connect Partnership Group (CPG) toward fostering collaboration and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue. This year, Forward Summit and Workforce Forward were held in three locations – Vancouver, Calgary and Ontario, together for the first time. Forward Summit | East, West, and West Coast brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 400 communities. These gatherings provided a forum for advancing reconciliation, amplifying Indigenous voices, and fostering mutual understanding.
About Connect Partnership Group
At CPG, our role is not to drive reconciliation but to act as a catalyst — a platform where Indigenous leaders and industry professionals come together to lead discussions, share insights, and chart pathways toward economic reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion. The vision, priorities, and leadership come from Indigenous communities and individuals themselves. By creating spaces where these conversations can thrive, we aim to empower communities to advance their own goals and aspirations.
Reconciliation is not something that can be handed to communities or accomplished through top-down initiatives. Our responsibility is to listen, to provide the stage, and to ensure that those most impacted by these conversations have the microphone.
A Year of Meaningful Engagement
This year marked a significant milestone for CPG. By taking a three-region approach, we were able to host Forward Summit and Workforce Forward in Ontario, Calgary, and Vancouver. Each event was grounded in the needs and priorities of the local communities where they were held. For instance, fisheries were a central topic on the West Coast, while conversations in Calgary and Ontario focused on distinct regional issues.
Every region has its unique challenges and opportunities. What we aim to do is create a space where these regional priorities are not only addressed but also aligned with broader national goals. It’s about weaving together local and national perspectives into a cohesive dialogue to create meaningful and lasting change.
By holding our events on traditional lands and welcoming participation from local communities, we ensure that these gatherings honour and uplift the people they aim to serve. With 80 percent of attendees coming from the immediate area, our events have fostered authentic, localized discussions that resonate deeply with the communities. This year’s events featured voices from across the spectrum of Indigenous leadership, youth, and business sectors, each contributing to an enriching dialogue.
Celebrating Partnerships and Procurement
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at CPG is the relationships we have built with over 150 commercial partners, whose support is instrumental in making these events possible. These partners represent a diverse cross-section of industries and organizations that are committed to advancing reconciliation through meaningful action. Their contributions underscore the collaborative spirit that drives our mission.
In addition to these partnerships, our events have provided a platform for local artisans to showcase their crafts, bringing vibrancy and cultural richness to each gathering. These artisans not only enrich our events but also benefit from the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience, fostering economic opportunities within their communities.
This year, I am proud to share that CPG has increased its Indigenous procurement to 22 percent. This includes our partnership with The Davis Media Company, an Indigenous-owned publisher responsible for producing Forward Magazine and the Forward Connection Newsletter. Collaborations like these reflect our commitment to embedding economic reconciliation in every aspect of our work.
Catalyzing Change Through Workforce Forward
One of our most impactful initiatives, Workforce Forward, centers on Indigenous inclusion in the workplace. With my background in human resources, I recognize the critical role HR plays as an educator and connector. This year, Indigenous leaders at Forward Summit emphasized the importance of infrastructure improvements, remote work opportunities, hiring from within communities as part of partnership agreements, and how education can meaningfully integrate traditional ways of knowing to engage Indigenous students—all ensuring that Indigenous employees can thrive from within their communities.
Workforce Forward isn’t just about employment. It’s about empowerment. It’s about creating pathways where Indigenous professionals feel supported and valued, where their unique skills and knowledge are seen as assets that contribute to a vibrant and diverse organizational culture
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we look to the future, our vision for 2025 includes bringing our conversations to more communities, including those in the North. We are committed to engaging Inuit communities and creating opportunities for their voices to be heard. While geographic expansion is part of our plan, we are also exploring innovative ways to connect communities beyond in-person events.
The North holds incredible potential and insight that deserves to be part of the national conversation. We want to ensure that all voices—regardless of geography—are amplified in meaningful ways.
Our commitment to youth remains steadfast. By involving young leaders in our discussions, we invest in a future where their voices carry forward the aspirations of their nations. Youth are not just participants—they are the stewards of tomorrow’s reconciliation. Young people bring vision, energy, and hope. They remind us of the long-term importance of the work we do today.
A Call to Action
The true magic of CPG’s work lies in the collective energy of those who come together at our events. It is not about what we, as an organization, accomplish alone—it is about the bridges built and the relationships strengthened through shared dialogue and understanding. Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. It’s the process of building relationships, one conversation at a time.
As we enter 2025, we remain dedicated to our purpose: providing a platform where Indigenous leaders and allies can advance reconciliation together. With hope and determination, we will continue working to foster belonging, amplify Indigenous voices, and create spaces for collaboration that pave the way for a more inclusive Canada that empowers Indigenous communities and leaders to truly be the masters of their own futures.
Rod Miller
President, Connect Partnership Group
About Rod Miller
Rod Miller’s career spans decades, with significant contributions to workforce development, economic empowerment, and the strengthening of Indigenous relations. He has held leadership positions across various sectors and has been a tireless advocate for building bridges between Indigenous communities and corporate Canada. Rod is a citizen of the Otipemisiwak Nation within Alberta and is deeply committed to Indigenous inclusion and Indigenous economic reconciliation. He lives with his wife on the lands of the Treaty 7 Peoples and Otipemisiwak Nation District 5 in the place known as Moh’kinsstis.