29th Annual National Conference & AGM 

“Transforming Economic Development in Changing Times”

Dowload a copy of the conference agenda here

Monday, June 26, 2023 (pre-conference day)

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Cando Accredited Training - ECON 101/102 Microeconomics & Macroeconomics

12:00 - 8:00 pm

Golf Tournament & Dinner at The Lakes at Ben Eoin Golf Club

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Trade Show Set Up

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Registration Desk Open

 

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 

7:00 - 8:00 am

Trade Show / Artisan Set Up

7:30 - 8:30 am

Breakfast Buffet

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Registration Desk Open

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Trade Show & Artisan Show and Sale

8:30 - 9:30 am

Opening Ceremonies

Master of Ceremonies - Stan Wesley

  • Opening Prayer: Elder Jane Meader, Membertou
  • Traditional Welcome: Sons of Membertou Drum Group
  • Honourable Brian Comer, MInister Responsible for COmmunications Nova Scotia & Minister Responsible for Youth, Province of Nova Scotia
  • John Paul, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
  • Mayor Amanda McDougall-Merrill, City of Sydney
  • Danielle Aubin, Sr. Director, Lands & Economic Development, Indigenous Services Canada
  • Invited Chiefs & Dignitaries

9:30 - 10:30 am

Opening Keynote: Mi'kmaq-owned Partnership in Clearwater Seafoods

  • Mike McIntyre, Membertou
  • Jenny Morgan, Clearwater Seafoods LP
  • Darryl McDonald, Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation

10:30 - 11:00 am

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cando Annual General Meeting

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Luncheon Keynote: Indigenous Green Economy Initiative, Tara Wright Many Chief, Acosys Consulting Services Inc.

1:00 - 2:15 pm

Reconnecting Indigenous Economic Development Corporations, Communities and Entrepreneurs with Agriculture and Food in Canada and Beyond, Shaun Soonias and Monica James, Farm Credit Canada

Indigenous Investment - How Do Managers of Economic Development Corporations Make Decisions?, D’Arcy O’Farrell, Carleton University

How to Complete Due Diligence on New Ventures, Tim Keating, Keating Business Strategis Ltd.

Supporting Indigenous Economic Development and Businesses through Exports, Todd Evans, Export Development Canada; Rick Lambe, Baffin (Niqitaq) Fisheries; Calvin Butler, Glooscap Seafoods; and Paul Langdon, Ulnooweg Development Group

2:15 - 2:30 pm

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

2:30 - 3:45 pm

Mining Equals Economic Development Opportunity for Indigenous Communities, Robert Stewart, Professional Geoscientist & Paul Macedo, Cando

Becoming a Champion of Change in Your Community, Jerry Asp & Sonia Molodecky, Global Indigenous Development Trust

Tiičma Enterprises' Economic Resilience & Reconciliation Through Collaboration, Gary Wilson, Tiičma Enterprises; Frank Dragon, KCFN Holdings LP; and Kevin Jules, Tiičma Management Services

Climate Change Adaptation: Interactive 3D Community Modelling, Barry Stevens, Stevens Solutions & Design Inc.

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Community Tour of Membertou First Nation

6:00 - 8:30 pm

Icebreaker Reception: Eskasoni Cultural Showcase, Lobster Dinner & Entertainment

 

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

7:30 - 8:30 am

Breakfast Buffet

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Registration Desk Open

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Trade Show & Artisan Show and Sale

8:30 - 9:30 am

Pushing the Envelope for Indigenous Participation in Procurement - The Atlantic Sciences Enterprise Centre Project

Moderator - Mark Dokis, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

  • Kristy Barnaby, Barnaby & Associates
  • Nadine Bernard, Indigevisor Ltd.
  • Stanley Barnaby, Joint Economic Development Initiative
  • Ryan Francis, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
  • Chris Major, Public Service & Procurement Canada
  • Paul Stewart, Pomerleau Construction

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

18th Annual National Youth Panel

  • Kianna Bear-Hetherington, St. Mary’s First Nation
  • Kathleen Doxtator, Oneida Nation of the Thames
  • Justin Langan, Metis Nation of Manitoba
  • Reanna Merasty, Barren Lands First Nation
  • Macyn Morning Bull, Piikani First Nation
  • Brayden Omeasoo-Steinhauer, Ermineskin Cree Nation

10:15 - 10:45 am

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Luncheon

1:00 - 1:45 pm

Indigenous Peoples Economic & Trade Cooperation Arrangement: Empowering Indigenous-led, Government Enabled International Economic Development

Moderator - Raymond Wanuch, Cando

  • Dale LeClair, Indigenous Representative
  • Kingson Lim, Global Affairs Canada
  • Francesca Nassif, Global Affairs Canada

1:45 - 3:00 pm

Supporting the Power and Potential of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs, Shannon Pestun, Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub; Magnolia Perron, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association; Nicole Travers, Ulnooweg Development Group; and Elaine Chambers, däna Näye Ventures

Transforming Indigenous Procurement - Results from the 2023 Cando survey on Indigenous Procurement and Capacity Needs and Introductions to Government Support, Danielle Aubin, Indigenous Services Canada & Ray Wanuch, Cando (Moderators); Irene Henriques, York University; Bob Anderson, University of Regina; Rick Colbourne, Carleton University; Ana Maria Peredo, University of Ottawa; Tim Dymond, Indigenous Services Canada; and Aaron Bower, Public Services & Procurement Canada

Renewable Energy Projects Success Stories, Rose Paul, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation; Jeanette Bear, Maliseet Nation at Tobique; and Kirt Dedam, Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation

Engraved on Our Nations: Indigenous Economic Tenacity, Dr. Fred Wien, Dalhousie University (Moderator); Christopher Googoo, We’koqma’q First Nation; Mary Doucette, Cape Breton University; David Newhouse, Trent University; and Dr. Wanda Wuttunee, University of Manitoba

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

3:15 - 4:30 pm

How Online Marketing, Video Storytelling and Community Engagement Transformed My Indigenous Business, Mallory Rose, Tribal Trade Co.

Access to Capital - Resurrecting Chakastayapasin, Chief Calvin Sanderson, Chakastaypasin Band & David Boisvert & Georgina Villeneuve, Peace Hills Trust

Frameworks, Strategies, and Lessons Learned in Procurement Early Engagement to Maximize Indigenous Participation and Benefits,

John Johnstone, Cando (Moderator); Kristy Barnaby, Barnaby and Associates; Mark Dokis, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association; Tim Dymond and Danielle Aubin, Indigenous Services Canada; Dennis Brunner and Chris Major, Public Services & Procurement Canada

 

Thursday, June 29, 2023

7:30 - 8:30 am

Breakfast Buffet

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Registration Desk Open

8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Trade Show & Artisan Show and Sale

8:30 - 9:30 am

CEDI Panel: Anku’kamkewey - Commitment to First Nation-Municipal Partnership and Collaboration

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Economic Developer of the Year Award Presentations

Individual EDO Category

  • James Stevens, Millbrook First Nation, NS
  • Thomas Benjoe, FHQ Developments (File Hill’s Qu’Appelle Tribal Council), SK

Indigenous Private Sector Business Category 

  • Bayside Development Corporation, NS
  • IRP Consulting, YT

Community Category

  • Norway House Cree Nation, MB
  • Red Rock Indian Band, ON

10:15 - 10:45 am

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Luncheon / ED of the Year Award Voting

1:00 - 2:15 pm

9th Annual Women in Business Panel

  • Jenna White, Jenna Nut Free Dessertery
  • Michelle Cameron, Dreamcatcher Promotions
  • Natasha Peter, Kaska Dena Designs
  • Sabrina Siquin Bear, Party Bear Rentals

2:15 - 3:00 pm

Economic Growth & Sustainment

  • Dan Adams, BMO (moderator)
  • Rose Paul, Bayside Development Corporation
  • Mike McIntyre, Membertou
  • Michael Peters, Glooscap Ventures

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Coffee Break in the Trade Show Area

3:15 - 4:30 pm

Economic Development Corporations, Strategic Partnerships & Joint Ventures: Structuring, Governance, Taxation and Sovereign Wealth Planning, Gary Kissack & Brian Gosse, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP and Leonard Rickard, Siksika Group of Companies

Implementing Innovation: Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative - Abegweit Success Story, Ray Wanuch, Cando; Bethany Knockwood and Tyler Gould, Abegweit First Nation

Cybersecurity Withing the Indigital Revolution, Leon Morris, Joint Economic Development Initiative Inc. / Ki’tpu Cybersecurity & Technology Services

6:30 - 7:00 pm

President’s Reception

7:00 - 9:30 pm

President’s Dinner

  • Opening Prayer
  • Presentation of the Cando Certified Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificates
  • NIEEF Scholarship Presentation
  • Economic Developer of the Year Award Presentations
  • 2024 Conference Announcement / 2023 Conference Closing

9:30 pm - 12:00 am

President’s Dance