Agenda at a Glance
May 25, 2022
Time | Session | Speakers | Location | ||
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8:30 AM - 9:00 AM |
Opening Keynote Welcoming Address |
Hal Eagletail - Host Livia Manywounds - Host Lana Johnson - Hybrid Host Doreen Bergum - Elder Lawrence Gervais - President, Metis Region |
Event Centre Main Stage | ||
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Panel Discussion: Leading the Way – inspirational Indigenous women and perspectives on the current economic landscape. |
Moderator - Krystal Abotossaway - President - APAC
Chief Crystal Smith – Haisla Nation Bobbie Racette – CEO Virtual Gurus Raylene Whitford – CEO Canative Energy President Cassidy Caron – President, Métis National Council |
Event Centre Main Stage | ||
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | MORNING COFFEE & NETWORKING |
Sponsored by:
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Event Centre | ||
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM | MORNING CONCURRENT ROUNDTABLES BEGIN | ||||
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Sponsored by: ![]() |
Forward Summit Indigenous Youth Council: Indigenous young people from across the country meet to discuss where they want to see the future economic opportunities. |
Moderator - Paul Robitaille – Sustainable Forestry Initiative Aubrey-Anne Laliberte-Pewapisconias – University of Saskatchewan Nathan Crow – University of Lethbridge Sarah Dixon – University of Northern British Columbia David Cook – OYEP Gage Young – OYEP |
Ballroom E | ||
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM | The Ethics of Indigenous Engagement: Connecting Indigenous community with industry and organizations is all about the relationship and the understanding of relationships. Come together to discuss true and meaningful engagement. |
Moderator - Jorge Aviles – Manager, Indigenous Partnerships & Development - ATCO Gas
Bren Little Light – Little Light Consulting Ira Provost – Consultation Manager - Piikani Nation Billie Fortier – Associate - MLT Aikins LLP Carl Archie – Canim Lake Band David Johnson – HATCH |
Event Centre | ||
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Sponsored By: ![]() |
STEM, Tech & The Future of Work: A roundtable discussion lead by Actua that centres around increasing future opportunities for Indigenous youth in Stem focused careers. |
Moderator - Doug Dokis – Actua Andre O’Bonsawin – Actua Todd Hirsch – ATB Debbie Green - Suncor Cristi Adams – Creative Fire Denis Carignan – Co-Founder, PLATO Testing Deanna Burgart –Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc |
Ballroom CD | ||
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CLINICS | ||||
These presentation sessions provide tailored business solutions available in a range of areas, designed to help you find opportunities to grow your business. | |||||
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
GLJ Ltd and CMR Consulting -
Indigenous Leadership and Inclusion for ESG & Sustainability Commitments and Reporting:
With the rising demands for ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) & Sustainability commitments and reporting for the Energy Industry, whether public or private company, or from the lens of a community, there is increasing alignment for Indigenous leadership in recognition of rights and inclusion. We see these commitments in all three areas of E, S, and G. Environmental - we see biodiversity and the focus and positive impacts on ecological preservation, recognizing traditional land use at the forefront. Social - Indigenous engagement and relationship building is primary, which includes Indigenous leadership, communities, Indigenous and Band-owned businesses, and the increase of training and employment for Indigenous youth. Governance - has a strong emphasis on partnerships and investment opportunities with Indigenous communities and businesses, as well as supply chain opportunities. There are also increasingly more growth opportunities for IEESG Reporting which includes Indigenous and Economic commitments and metrics, taking a holistic approach to Indigenous inclusion and “Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being”. Also, by applying an international lens through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), reporting aligns global indicators that are essential to the future sustainability of our world. |
Jointly Presented by: – Sarah Skett, PhD, Sustainability Reporting & Community Development, CMR Consulting Inc. – Communications. Management. Resilience and Colleen Sherry – Vice President of Sustainability MSc MBA MSL, GLJ Ltd.- Your Global Energy Partners |
Ballroom AB | ||
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Sponsored by:
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Innovations Solutions Canada – Innovate, Create and Get to Market
Innovative Solutions Canada is an innovation funding program that focuses on early stage R&D and late-stage prototypes. With a combined funding of $140M, they offer support through two distinct streams: Challenge Stream and Testing Stream. Join this Information session to learn more about the program and funding opportunities that could be right for you or your business. Canada Digital Adoption Program – Give your Business a Digital Edge The new Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) provides $1.4 billion in grants and 0% loans to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses (SME) digitize their businesses. The ‘Grow Your Business Online’ grant helps SMEs take advantage of e-commerce opportunities, while the Boost your Business Technology helps businesses with the development and implementation of digital adoption plans and leverage youth placements to help implement new digital tools. |
Presented by – Julien Charbonneau, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Patrick Seguin – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Ballroom AB | ||
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Sponsored By:
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BDC Presents – “Finding the right support in the Indigenous ecosystem” A fireside chat with Monica James, Regional Manager, Client Diversity at BDC and guest, Jason Thompson, owner of Superior Strategies and Warrior Wear. |
Monica James – BDC Jason Thompson – Superior Strategies & Warrior Wear |
Ballroom AB | ||
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM | NETWORKING LUNCH |
Sponsored by:
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Event Centre | ||
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Panel Discussion: The Principled Approach – The panel discussion puts the spotlight on Indigenous businesses that revolve around integrating Indigenous culture and principles. Hear from leaders with different perspectives and approaches that creates strong successful business while retaining the tradition and culture at the heart and soul of the Indigenous people. |
Moderator Kelly Lendsay - Indigenous Works Stephen Buffalo – Indian Resource Council Annie Korver – Rise Consulting Travis Meguinis - Natural Law Energy Eugene Badger - Pimee Well Servicing |
Event Centre Main Stage | ||
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | AFTERNOON COFFEE & NETWORKING |
Sponsored by:
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Event Centre | ||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | AFTERNOON CONCURRENT ROUNDTABLES BEGIN | ||||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Energy Gridlock: Access to markets continues to challenge industry and Indigenous communities, strong partnerships have been formed between both with hope of creating equitable partnerships. How can everyone work better together to progress energy security? |
Moderator - Cristi Adams – Creative Fire Shannon Joseph – CAPP Steve Saddleback – Indian Resource Council Chief Mel Grandjamb – Fort McKay First Nation Chief Roy S Jones Jr – Skidegate Haida Gwaii Miles Joliffe – Independant Consultant |
Event Centre | ||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Indigenous Tourism Recovery & Growth: As the hardest hit of all Industries with a long way to go toward recovery, explore how Indigenous Business and communities are picking up the pace once more. Re-establishing and building successful and sustainable economic tourism opportunities |
Moderator Keith Henry – Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) Darian Kovacs – Jelly Digital Marketing & PR Eric Watson – Kaydence Capital Corp Malcolm MacPherson – Clark Wilson LLP Kirsten Ryder – Stoney Tribal Administration |
Ballroom E | ||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Métis – The Forgotten Economic Engine: The Métis economic potential is powerful, join this roundtable to discuss the challenges and opportunities in growing the Métis economy with business and community leaders. |
Moderator - Annie Korver – Rise Consulting Richard Piche – Cascade Projects Lawrence Gervais – Regional President - Métis Nation of Alberta President Cassidy Caron – President, Métis National Council Sharon Sawchuk – Rupertsland Institute |
Ballroom CD | ||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Sponsored by: ![]() |
Growing Partnerships Through Sustainable Forest Management: It brings together both Industry and community to openly discuss what true partnerships can look like. A deep dive into the challenges, learnings and future opportunities in the sustainable forest management sector. |
Moderator - Paul Robitaille – Sustainable Forestry Initiative Jason Mogilefsky – Forestry Manager at Spray Lake Sawmills Tanis One Spot – Tsuut’ina Nation Dean Assinewe – Sustainable Forestry Initiative Jacob Handel – Senior Indigenous Director - Sustainable Forestry Initiative |
Ballroom AB | ||
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION |
Official Host:
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Event Centre |