March 11-12, 2026 • Vancouver, BC
Forward Summit | WEST COAST
That's a wrap for 2026!
Forward Summit West Coast may be over, but the conversations, connections, and impact continue.
We’re grateful to every attendee, speaker, and partner who helped make this gathering so meaningful.
Look out for Spring 2027!
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Event Overview
overview
New In 2025
Discover fresh perspectives and groundbreaking conversations designed to inspire action and foster meaningful change. Here’s what’s new for Forward Summit West 2025:
Increased Focus on Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Explore how Indigenous businesses are driving economic growth and innovation across Canada.
Cultural Integrity & Indigenous Financial Prosperity
Engage in thought-provoking discussions about preserving cultural values while fostering financial success.
Innovation in Energy Infrastructure
Discover cutting-edge developments in energy and infrastructure, highlighting Indigenous leadership in sustainable solutions.
Holistic Reconciliation: What Does It Look Like?
Dive deep into the evolving meaning of reconciliation beyond policy—what it truly looks like in practice.
Indigenous Rights & Corporate Responsibility
Examine the role of corporations in upholding Indigenous rights and fostering ethical, long-term partnerships.
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Experience The Summit
Forward Summit goes beyond a typical conference—it’s an immersive experience that energizes and inspires through powerful speakers, thought-provoking conversations, and impactful networking.
Catch the highlights from Forward Summit | WEST and see why it’s creating such a buzz.
Agenda
Forward Summit West Coast brings together leaders and practitioners committed to advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation and long-term economic prosperity. This year’s Workforce Forward workshops focus on Indigenous Workforce Inclusion, offering practical, impact-driven learning designed to meet professionals where they are in their journey. Each time block features two learning pathways; one supporting those building foundational understanding and another for participants ready to deepen and apply their practice, creating respectful, safe spaces for growth across a broad spectrum of experience. Grounded in real-world insights, these sessions equip attendees with actionable tools and strategies they can bring back to their organizations to drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Agenda
Day 1: March 11
Speakers:
Co-Host: Hal Eagletail, Owner, Eaglestar Enterprises Ltd.
Co-Host: Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock, Knowledge Carrier & Elder, Squamish Nation
- 8:45AM - 9:05AM
- Keynote Address
The Next Era of Indigenous Economic Leadership: Ownership, Opportunity & Nation Building
Speakers:
Celeste Haldane, Chief Commissioner, British Columbia Treaty Commission
- 9:10AM - 9:30AM
- Keynote Address
Indigenous-Led Growth: Building Shared and Sustainable Prosperity
Speakers:
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Elected Leader, Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO)
- 9:30AM - 10:30AM
- Mainstage Panel
Nation-Led Development: Indigenous Equity Reshaping Canada’s Project Landscape
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Catherine Pennington, Senior Director, Indigenous Advisory Services, Infrastructure, Capital Projects, and Sustainability, KPMG
Mindy Wight, CEO, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
Jenn Podmore Russell, CDO Real Estate and Development, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
Xayil Jacob Lewis III, Director, Community Development, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
- 10:30AM - 11:00AM
Morning Coffee & Networking
- 11:00AM - 11:30AM
- Fireside Chat
Unlocking Capital, Advancing Community: Financing Indigenous-Led Development in British Columbia
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Booker Cornea, Associate Vice President, Market & Shareholder Engagement, FNBC
Tsekonámus Rosemary Stager, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Líl̓wat Business Group (LBG)
- 11:30AM - 12:30PM
- Mainstage Panel
Energizing B.C.’s Economy: Energy Sovereignty, Transmission & Clean Energy Pathways
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Dr. Sue von der Porten, Vice President of Clean Energy Strategy, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
Karen Ogen, CEO First Nations Natural Gas Alliance
Allen Edzerza, Elder, Tahltan Nation
Kwatuuma Cole Sayers Executive Director, Clean Energy BC
Patrick Tomlinson, Senior Program Manager, Indigenous Economics and Finance, BC Hydro
- 12:30PM – 1:30PM
Networking Lunch
- 1:30PM - 2:15PM
- Fireside Chat
Tourism as Nation-Building: Indigenous Ownership, Culture & Economic Prosperity
Speakers:
Moderator: Chatman Shaw, Corporate Development Manager, Indigenous Tourism BC
Greg Hopf, CEO & Owner, Moccasin Trails
Chyanne Trenholm, General Manager Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
- 2:15PM - 3:15PM
- Mainstage Panel
Women Leading the Future: Matriarchal Models of Governance & Economic Strength
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Dana Martin, Vice President, Indigenous Financial Services, Scotiabank
Angela Ferguson, Senior Vice President, National Practice Leader, Indigenous Services Group AON
Chastity Davis–Alphonse, Indigenous Relations Advisor & Advocate, Tla’amin and Tsilhqot’in Nations
Lisa Grant, Business Development Manager, yáqʷa Development Corp.
- 3:15PM - 3:45PM
Afternoon Coffee and Networking
- 3:45PM - 5:00PM
- Roundtable/Breakout Session
Indigenous Procurement in 2026: Barriers and Opportunities
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Tim Laronde, National Director, Indigenous Strategies, Chandos Construction
Wade Griffin, National Director for Indigenous Engagement BGIS
Jonathon Mitchell, Director, Indigenous Relations & Procurement, PHSA
Justin Sundholm, Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship, BDC
- 3:45PM - 5:00PM
- Roundtable/Breakout Session
Building Prosperity: Infrastructure, Construction, and Indigenous Economic Reconciliation
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Maggie Kontonis, Senior Infrastructure Advisor, Capital Projects – Indigenous Services, MNP
Mark Liedemann, President & CEO, Infrastructure BC
Gene Ouellette, Tribal/Indigenous Client Account Manager, Americas AECOM
Shannon Ralfs, Executive Director, Infrastructure & Capital Projects, Malahat Nation
- 3:45PM - 5:00PM
- Roundtable/Breakout Session
Indigenous Guardianship and Tech-Driven Environmental Stewardship
Speakers:
Moderator: Jorge Avilés, Senior Advisor, Cross-cultural & Indigenous Relations
Blaine Castle, Manager, Inside Sales Esri Canada
Angela D’Amato van den Hout, Chief Executive Officer, Nan wúújǫ anawúúdle
- 5:00PM
Opening Night Reception
Sponsored By:
Day 2: March 12
- 8:30AM - 8:45AM
- Welcome Address
Morning Reflections & Opening Remarks
Speakers:
Co-Host: Hal Eagletail, Owner, Eaglestar Enterprises Ltd.
Co-Host: Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock, Knowledge Carrier & Elder, Squamish Nation
Michelle Precourt, Board Director, CPHR BC & Yukon
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Colby Delorme, President, Imagination Group of Companies
Allie Patterson, Law and Social Justice, McMaster University
Kaitlyn Schaeffer, Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina
Oceania Kreutzer, Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia
- 9:30AM- 10:30AM
- Mainstage Panel
The Next Generation: Future-Forward Perspectives on Inclusive Leadership, Economic Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Geena Jackson, Founder & Executive Producer, Bears’ Lair and President, Indigenous Initiatives Inc.
Dwight Ballantyne, Founder, The Ballantyne Project
Edgard Veilleneuve-Cruz, Co-Founder, Turtle Island Connection
- 10:30AM - 11:00AM
Morning Coffee & Networking
- 11:00AM - 12:00PM
- Mainstage Panel
Mining the Future: Indigenous Partnerships in Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy
Speakers:
Moderator: Jeremy Thompson, President, Eagle Spirit Business Development
Erinn Mah, Manager, Indigenous Relations, Teck Resources
Sharon G. Kaur Singh, Co-Head, Indigenous | Environment McMillan LLP.
Byng Giraud, President, Sedgwick Strategies
- 11:00AM - 12:00PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 1: Reframing Workforce Inclusion: Indigenous Rights Beyond DEI Part 1
Speakers:
Ariana Fotinakis, Co-Founder, Decolonize and Rize
Vanessa Lesperance, Co-Founder, Decolonize and Rize
- 11:00AM - 12:00PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 2: Indigenous and Industry Partnerships
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Blaine Collett, Senior Advisor, Project Development, FNMPC
Khoi Mai, Indigenous Markets Lead, PWC
Sandra Hodzic, Chief Advisor, Political Affairs Grand Chiefs’ Office
- 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Networking Lunch
- 1:00PM - 2:00PM
- Mainstage Panel
Designing the 2030 Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Action Map
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Stewart Muir, President & CEO, Resource Works
Jeremy Thompson, President, Eagle Spirit Business Development
Malcolm Macpherson, Partner, Macpherson Law
Mary French, Contractor, Indigenous Relations
- 1:00PM - 2:00PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 1: Reframing Recruitment and Building Retention into Your Recruitment:
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Linda Epp, Indigenous Talent Sourcing Specialist, ICBC
Nancy Neese, Manager, Talent Development Programs, ICBC
- 1:00PM - 2:00PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 2: Reframing Workforce Inclusion: Indigenous Rights Beyond DEI Part II
Speakers:
Jorge Avilés, Senior Advisor, Cross-cultural & Indigenous Relations
- 2:00PM – 2:30PM
Networking and Coffee Break
- 2:30PM - 3:30PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 1: Indigenous Workplace Readiness: Cultural Governance and Employee Safety
Speakers:
Moderator: Michelle Precourt, Board Director, CPHR BC & Yukon
Sheryl Rivers, Indigenous Workforce Development Manager, Woodfibre LNG
Buffy Mills, Indigenous Employee Benefits Consultant, Acera Indigenous Benefits
- 2:30PM - 3:30PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 2: Leading the Way: Advancing Indigenous Workforce Inclusion
Speakers:
Moderator: Brad Coutu, Technology & People Leader, Best Buy Canada
Wade Griffin, National Director for Indigenous Engagement BGIS
Bailey Waukey, Founder, Frayed Feathers
- 3:30PM - 4:30PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 1: Building the Indigenous Workforce of Tomorrow
Sponsored By:
Speakers:
Moderator: Jorge Avilés, Senior Advisor, Cross-cultural & Indigenous Relations
Tanya Rexin, National Director, Indigenous Relations, Aramark Canada
Suzanne Pederson, Founder, Facilitator & Coach, Hidden Potential Coaching & Learning
- 3:30PM - 4:30PM
- Breakout Sessions/Workshops
Level 2: Beyond the Document: Living Your Reconciliation Action Plan & Policies
Speakers:
Moderator: Mel Fowle, Senior Manager, Indigenous Reconciliation, PWC Canada
Marissa Nobauer, Director of Reconciliation, Community Engagement and External Relations, TELUS
speakers
WEST COAST 2026 Speakers
Watch this space for updates regarding the speakers at this year’s Forward Summit. The Majority Indigenous Led Leadership Council hand selects industry experts and inspiring thought leaders to represent the topics that matter most right now.

Hal Eagletail
Owner
Eaglestar Enterprises Ltd.

Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock
Knowledge Carrier & Elder Squamish Nation

Wade Griffin
National Director for Indigenous Engagement
BGIS

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
Elected Leader
Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO)

Allen Edzerza
Elder
Tahltan Nation

Jeremy Thompson
President
Eagle Spirit Business Development

Sharon G. Kaur Singh
Co-Head, Indigenous | Environment
McMillan LLP.

Karen Ogen
CEO
First Nations Natural Gas Alliance

Shannon Ralfs
Director of Infrastructure and Capital Projects
Malahat Nation

Suzanne Pederson
Founder, Facilitator & Coach
Hidden Potential Coaching & Learning

Angela Ferguson
Senior Vice President, National Practice Leader, Indigenous Services Group
AON

Geena Jackson
Founder & Executive Producer
Bears’ Lair
President
Indigenous Initiatives Inc.

Jorge Avilés
Senior Advisor, Cross-cultural & Indigenous Relations
AiM Land Services

Maggie Kontonis
Manager, Capital Projects – Indigenous Services
MNP

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers
Executive Director,
Clean Energy BC

Chastity Davis-Alphonse
Indigenous Relations Advisor & Advocate
Tla’amin and Tsilhqot’in Nations

Blaine Castle
Manager, Inside Sales
Esri Canada

Erinn Mah
Manager, Indigenous Relations
Teck Resources

Chyanne Trenholm
General Manager
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours

Gene Ouellette
Tribal/Indigenous Client Account Manager, Americas
AECOM

Mark Liedemann
President and CEO
Infrastructure BC

Vanessa Lesperance
Co-Founder
Decolonize and Rize

Ariana Fotinakis
Co-Founder
Decolonize and Rize

Booker Cornea
Associate Vice President – Market and Shareholder Engagement
First Nations Bank of Canada

Tanya Rexin
Indigenous Relations Director
Aramark Canada

Dr. Sue von der Porten
Vice President of Clean Energy Strategy
First Nations Major Projects Coalition

Tsekonámus Rosemary Stager
Chief Executive Officer
Líl̓wat Business Group

Dana Martin
Vice President of Indigenous Financial Services
Scotiabank

Dwight Ballantyne
Founder
The Ballantyne Project

Tim Laronde
National Director, Indigenous Strategies
Chandos Construction

Justin Sundholm
Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship
BDC

Greg Hopf
CEO & Owner
Moccasin Trails

Mel Fowle
Senior Indigenous Reconciliation Manager
PWC

Malcolm Macpherson
Partner
Macpherson Law

Stewart Muir
Founder
Resource Works

Mindy Wight
CEO
Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation

Jenn Podmore Russell
Chief Development Officer
Nch’ḵaỷ Development Corporation

Bailey Waukey
Founder
Frayed Feathers

Angela D’Amato van den Hout
Chief Executive Officer
Nan wúújǫ anawúúdle Restoration Society

Celeste Haldane
Chief Commissioner
British Columbia Treaty Commission

Patrick Tomlinson
Senior Program Manager, Indigenous Economics and Finance
BC Hydro

Sandra Hodzic
Founder and Managing Partner
Sorella Strategies Ltd

Linda Epp
Indigenous Talent Sourcing Specialist
ICBC

Marissa Nobauer
Director of Reconciliation, Community Engagement and External Relations
TELUS

Khoi Mai
Indigenous Markets Lead
PWC

Chatman Shaw
Corporate Development Manager
Indigenous Tourism BC

Nancy Neese
Manager of Talent Development Programs
ICBC

Sheryl Rivers
Indigenous Workforce Development Manager
Woodfibre LNG

Brad Coutu
Technology Manager- Retail Infrastructure & Field Services
Best Buy Canada

Blaine Collett
Senior Advisor, Project Development
FNMPC

Edgard Villanueva-Cruz
Co-Founder
Turtle Island Connection

Kaitlyn Schaeffer
Environmental Systems Engineering
University of Regina

Allie Patterson
Law and Social Justice
McMaster University

Oceania Kreutzer
Animal Welfare Program
University of British Columbia

Buffy Mills
Indigenous Employee Benefits Consultant
Acera Indigenous Benefits

Lisa Grant
Business Development Manager
yáqʷa Development Corporation

Guy Lonechild
CEO
First Nations Power Authority

Chief Billy Morin
Managing Director
Axxcelus Capital Advisory

Amber Big Plume
Manager, Business Development and Projects
First Nation Power Development Inc

Jorge Avilés
Manager, Cross-cultural & Indigenous Relations
ATCO Gas

Tim Laronde
National Director, Indigenous Strategies
Chandos Construction

Jeff Provost
Leader, Indigenous Relations
MCW Consultants Ltd.

Tanya Rexin
Indigenous Relations Manager
ATCO Frontec

Diane Gray
President
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

Don Ross
CEO
George Gordon Developments Ltd.

Paul Robitaille
Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor
Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Amanda Ens
Head, Indigenous Talent Strategy
BMO

Aaron Lambie
CEO/President
Nisto
council
Leadership Council
Our content is established with the guidance of over twenty experts, community leaders, and passionate individuals recognized by the public.
Featured Members:
Chief Roy S Jones Jr
Gwen Bridge
Angela Ferguson
Tim Laronde
partners
Meet Our Partners
At the heart of our mission to drive forward economic reconciliation in Canada lies the support and dedication of our partners. More than allies in business, they are pioneers in championing a future where Indigenous-led dialogue shapes the economic landscape of our nation.
Stay at the Pan Pacific!
Located on Vancouver’s waterfront next to the Canada Place cruise ship terminal. this luxury hotel offers a wellness spa, restaurant, and lounge located on site. Waterfront Station skytrain is only 1148 ft away.
Book with Group Rate
- Visit Hyatt Regency website by clicking below
- Select Property: Hyatt Regency Vancouver
- Select Dates (discount available Oct 21-24)
- Under Special Rate, select “Corporate or Group Code” and enter: 68568
Become a Partner!
We have three events happening across Canada this year. Learn more about the high level Indigenous and non-indigenous industry and community leaders that your brand will get exposed to.
Popular spot go fast! Find out what opportunities are remaining by having our team reach out to you to connect.
Come as a Group & Save
Come as a team, leave empowered with a shared vision!
Download our Corporate Kit today to learn more about exclusive discounts for teams of four or more!
Join as an Artisan
Showcase your handmade and artisanal works at Forward Summit to connect with a vibrant community dedicated to cultural exchange
Apply to join the Artisan Fair
Travel
For all participants of Forward Summit, we are pleased to announce that we’ve partnered with national airlines to ensure competitive rates are provided for domestic and international travel to and from Forward Summit.
Air Canada: For North America’ 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel’ 10% on standard fares & higher. Minimum 10 passenger requirement
Promotional Code: CJT9TG41
Westjet: 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border. No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings.
Promotional Code: 7B7S6YT
Travel Agent Code: YBX09
networking
Get a Jump Start on Networking
See who’s attending and prebook your meetings using the app!
This platform is available to registered participants.








