Innovate BC Sessions
Wednesdays - April 2022 thru March 2023
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Call for Presenters!
• Are you a subject-matter expert in one or more of the fields listed?
• Are you interested in expanding your audience and reach to include economic development professionals throughout Canada?
• Do you deliver training that creates impact?
Consider becoming a presenter with Cando’s Links to Learning weekly webinar series. Honourarium/financial incentive provided.
If you’re interested, please contact:
Danielle Lightning: danielle.lightning@edo.ca
OR
Elsie Moar: elsie.moar@edo.ca
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UPCOMING SESSIONS:
Future Sessions in the Innovate BC Webinar Series will be scheduled soon.
These sessions generously sponsored by:
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PAST SESSIONS
March 22, 2023
Title: Franchising as a Path to Economic Development
Franchising is an often overlook option for business and economic development. New research shows that franchising could contribute an additional $1 billion annually to Indigenous economies if participation rates increased. With over 1,300 franchise systems in Canada, there is no shortage of opportunity for communities to start businesses that can address economic leakage an better enable them to capitalize on development in their territories. Moreover, franchise systems can address the training, education, and capacity challenges many communities face.
Join us for an eye-opening discussion on franchising in Indigenous communities led by Steven Vanloffeld, Founder & CEO of eSupply Canada - the only Indigenous-owned franchise system in Canada focused on Indigenous ownership.
Speaker: Steven Vanloffeld
Steven Vanloffeld is an entrepreneur and multi-business owner from Saugeen First Nation, ON. He is Owner & Principal Consultant of INDsight Consulting, and Founder and CEO of eSupply Canada, a national online distributor of office, janitorial, and industrial supplies. eSupply Canada is the only franchise company focused on Indigenous community ownership.
Steven possesses an intimate understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities Indigenous peoples and communities face, having served as an elected member of council at Saugeen. In this leadership capacity, Steven was responsible for establishing the Saugeen economic development corporation, bringing in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, and leading the development of the community’s new administration office.
Prior to his entrepreneurial journey and foray into community politics, Steven served the Executive Director of the Association of Native Child and Family Service Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSAO), a membership organization whose member agencies provide child welfare services to over 80 First Nation communities across Ontario. Steven was responsible for supporting province-wide child welfare systems-level transformation to improve outcomes for Indigenous children, families, and communities, and representing member agencies’ interests at federal, provincial and sector tables. Steven has wide-ranging expertise engaging and collaborating with Indigenous communities, industry, and all levels of government.
Steven holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Indigenous Community Development, and a Master of Business Administration. Steven is a former Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and past recipient of the City of Toronto’s Indigenous Affairs Award.
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March 15, 2023
Title: Project Management Workshop
Description: In the past few decades, organizations have discovered something incredible: principles that have been used to create enormous successes in large projects can be applied to projects of any size to create amazing success. As a result, many employees are expected to understand project management techniques and how to apply them to projects of any size.
This workshop will give you an overview of a project management process, as well as key project management tools that you can use every day.
Learning Objectives:
• Define project, project management, and project manager
• Describe the triple constraint
• Perform a project needs assessment and write goals, requirements, and deliverables
• Build a project schedule by estimating time, costs, and resources
• RACI chart
• Monitor and maintain the project
Speaker: Miranda Kennedy
Miranda Kennedy is proud member of the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan. Her Cree Name is “asiniy apiw eskwew” which means woman who sits with the rocks.
Miranda Kennedy attended the University of Saskatchewan and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resource Management. She has over 20 years of combined experience in social work, human resources, and project management. Her upbeat attitude, great communication skills, and extensive background in handling complex issues makes her a valuable resource for First Nations communities.
Ms. Miranda Kennedy is a highly experienced Motivational Speaker, HR Advisor, Trainer and Life Skills coach.
Ms. Kennedy is passionate about helping First Nations youth become independent, resourceful, and contributing members of their community. As a educator, Miranda uses both traditional and contemporary teaching methods, along with personal experiences and self-reflection to assist youth in achieving their goals.
Ms. Kennedy has also led various HR initiatives during her career and is a results driven, focused, HR professional with a strong understanding of First Nation’s businesses, their priorities, and challenges. She believes in people and their potential and encourages others to develop personally and professionally in their careers to change attitudes, workplaces, and even nations.
Miranda Kennedy currently serves as the Vice President of Okimaw Community & HR Solutions, a consulting firm that helps First Nations build strong and thriving communities.
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March 8, 2023
Title: Agriculture Opportunities for Communities
This session will speak to the diversity of food and agriculture opportunities and activities underway across the province, spanning economic development projects to food security initiatives and those somewhere in between.
Topics covered will include:
-key considerations and planning approaches for food and agriculture projects,
with emphasis on greenhouses
-Greenhouse Planning Checklist
-supports and funding
-community presenter, sharing their own journey, lessons learned and tips
Speaker: Erica Nitchie, P. Ag Indigenous Business Agrologist Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Food and Beverage Branch
Additional presenter: TBC
Speaker Bio
Erica Nitchie, P. Ag Indigenous Business Agrologist Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Food and Beverage Branch
Location: Vernon, on the traditional territory of the Okanagan-Sylix Erica grew up and lives in Splatsin territory, Secwepemculecw in the rural north Okanagan area where her grandparents and their six children settled as immigrants from Holland following WW II. She studied at Thompson Rivers University for a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science. After spending a few years working in the forestry sector, she adjusted paths, seeking more people-centered work and her Professional Agrologist designation, leading her to join the Ministry of Agriculture in 2007 as a First Nations Agrologist in Williams Lake. After a decade in the Cariboo, she returned with her family to the north Okanagan.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her partner and two young boys enjoying outdoor pursuits such as skiing, hiking and gardening.
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March 1, 2023
Title: Community Engagement - Tips, Techniques, and Virtual Tools
Description: Learning about different methods of engaging your community has never been more important. Whether your community is interested, developing or implementing a Land Code, creating plans, or making land-use decisions, there are many considerations for designing a robust community engagement strategy that will work in favour of achieving your community’s priorities. The Resource Centre will discuss tools, tips, and techniques that have worked to engage communities, build awareness around a topic, plan or project and bring people together in different ways, including virtual tools, that you can take back and utilize in your own community engagement strategies.
Speaker: Bonnie Hill - Land Code Governance Advisor BC
Bonnie Hill - Land Code Governance Advisor BC
Bonnie is a proud member of T’Sou-ke First Nation on Southern Vancouver Island and resides in the village of Siaosun. For 17 years Bonnie worked with her Nation in their efforts to create sustainable systems of Governance including management of lands and resources, cultural revitalization and food security.
In 2015, Bonnie accepted a position with the Resource Centre as a Developmental and Operational Support Technician. She assists Nations on Vancouver Island and in northern BC to develop and implement their Land Codes.
In addition to taking an active role in her community, Bonnie most enjoys spending time with her three grown children and extended family. Most of the time, she can be found at her desk, but in her down time, beachcombing and live music are on the agenda!
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February 22, 2023
Title: Indigenous Organizations as Employers: What you need to know
Description: This presentation will look at the obligations of First Nations and other Indigenous organizations as employers. Specifically, we will discuss what types of organizational governance policies are required for Indigenous employers (i.e. internal harassment, social media, and privacy policies), and what legal issues should they consider when hiring or contracting workers.
Speaker: Darryl Korell
Darryl Korell is a partner at Osprey Law LLP, a progressive law firm focussing on Indigenous law, employment law, and not-for-profit governance.
Darryl is a bilingual lawyer with a diverse litigation practice. He has extensive experience in litigating Indigenous legal issues. He regularly advises clients with respect to Aboriginal and Treaty rights and the obligations of government and industry when dealing with Indigenous peoples, including resource development and self-governance issues.
Darryl also represents clients in employment, labour, human rights matters, and many other areas of civil litigation, from business and municipal disputes to challenges of government decision-making. He has appeared before all levels of provincial courts, the federal courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
https://youtu.be/sTZdiaphQWI
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February 8, 2023
Title: Indigenizing the Cooperative Model
This webinar explores how Indigenous cultures and the co-operative can be molded together to create a model that is reflective of the values, principles, and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. The information in this webinar is based on a research project published by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives that aims at encouraging urban Indigenous communities to consider the co-operative model as a Community Economic Development tool that may create opportunities for income generation while maintaining independence through self-determination. To read the research report or research summary prior to the session visit:
https://policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/indigenizing-co-operative-model#:~:text=This%20paper%20explores%20how%20Indigenous,and%20aspirations%20of%20Indigenous%20peoples.
Speaker: Jimmy Thunder
Jimmy Thunder, MBA, CAPM, BA is an Oji-Cree Asper MBA graduate from Sachigo Lake First Nation, Ontario. He is currently working as the director of economic development for Norway House Cree Nation and also teachings Indigenous Economic Leadership at the University of Manitoba. He is a trained facilitator with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute. He actively encourages public engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action as adjunct professor at Horizon College & Seminary and via social media as co-founder of Reconciliation Thunder. As a result of speaking publicly in these contexts, he has been invited into post-secondary institutions and community organizations as a consultant on matters related to cultural awareness, anti-racism, and inclusion.
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February 1, 2023
Title: Coaching Towards Cultivating Safe Spaces
Let’s take a coach approach to Cultivating Safe Spaces together. Guided by Elaine Alec’s Cultivating Safe Spaces, we’ll discuss activities, frameworks and skills that support the practices of understanding yourself, responding with love-based practices, and having the patience and discipline to unlearn common approaches to the way we generate unhealthy and unsafe spaces. These conditions support wellness, inclusion, freedom and validation for yourself, and everyone in your circle. Robyn will include wisdom from Gabor Máte, Brene Brown and others, that like Elaine Alec, have spent a lifetime supporting healing and genuine connection.
Speaker: Robyn Ward
Robyn Ward is a Certified Executive Coach (ICF/ACC) Certified Cultivating Safe Spaces Facilitator (CSS), volunteer counsellor (ENH), creative artist, activist and change-maker. She has mixed European heritage (Ukrainian, English, German) and is the proud mother of two Indigenous boys. Her life and her family's life is rooted in the Anishinaabe 7 Sacred Teachings: Respect, Courage, Wisdom, Humility, Truth, Honesty and Love. These values guide her daily and hold her personally and professionally accountable throughout her life. For 20 years she has focused her professional development on four fields: psychology, business, coaching and technology. When she’s not supporting clients or facilitating workshops, Robyn is a Board Member and consultant at Animikii. She is an ally and social justice disrupter to all spaces lacking inclusion and human rights. Her focus is healing, connecting, nurturing and supporting healthy relationships internally and externally.
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January 25th 2023
Title: Sustainable Development Approaches from Coastal B.C.
Jointly presented by: Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and Island Coastal Economic Trust
In our presentation we will share Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation’s recent economic investments throughout their vast coastal territories and strengthening local wellbeing. We will share how Island Coastal Economic Trust works in service of Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis and all coastal communities across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast as a community-led regional trust, and we’ll share communities’ vision to transform the trust under a new and leading model of regional economic co-governance.
Speakers: Brodie Guy and Jamie Pond
Brodie Guy Bio
Jamie Pond, Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis First Nation
Jamie has a mixed background including both First Nations and Irish heritage. Having lived on reserve for 12 years, she has developed perspectives from both indigenous and non-indigenous culture. Jamie believes her experiences have also enhanced her demonstrated ability to work successfully with First Nations in project management and program development. Jamie is with Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation working as their Capital Projects Manager.
Jamie is skilled in managing Government programs and projects, proposal writing, and supporting mentorship models in building local capacity. She has many years of experience working in contaminated soils projects, infrastructure, housing, climate adaptation, and clean energy projects. She is an administration professional graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Thompson Rivers University majoring in Management.
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January 18th 2023
Title: Investment Attraction and Digital Assets in the MetaVerse
Description: In 2021, ORIGIN in partnership with Kitimat Valley Education Society (KVES) responded to the Digital Investment Attraction Assets RFP put out by the City of Terrace, BC. The purpose of this project was to improve the domestic and international marketing of the City of Terrace to economic audiences. The objectives were to better brand and market the economic and business assets of the City to the world to attract new interest in local investment and business opportunities. KVES seen an opportunity to respond with strategic partnerships with the intent that the end result would increase the amount of investment attraction ultimately resulting in more employment opportunities for Haisla Nation membership and beyond.
Speaker: Charmaine McCraw - Manager of Indigenous Engagement and Training
Charmaine McCraw comes from a background of Community Economic Development; with 15 years of experience, she is an Irish-Ojibwe kwe born and raised in Northern Ontario. Charmaine has a passion for the North and the development of its peoples. She is a strong believer in using technology to encourage relationships between our youth and elders as well as to connect people to opportunity. She believes it’s more than just technology-driven change; it is an opportunity to harness converging technologies with life-long traditional knowledge to create an inclusive, human-centered future for everyone.
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January 11th 2023
Title: Developing A Business Case
Description: In this webinar, Loa will walk you through the steps to develop a compelling business case so that you can gain support and buy-in for your next big idea and venture. A business case outlines a project, its potential benefits, and the associated costs delivered to management so that they can make a clear and timely decision that is aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. Come to the session with an idea that can progress your organization and learn to do a simple case in this hands-on, 1-hour workshop.
Speaker: Loa Fridfinnson 
Loa Fridfinnson has 20+ years of entrepreneurial, marketing, technology and sales expertise through her marketing agency Activ8, consulting for emerging private and public companies (Indigenous and non), and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. She also works with progressive Indigenous communities in B.C. passing along marketing, digital media and sales knowledge to Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to startand grow companies that they are passionate about.Loa created a 15-course business training program that gives Indigenous adults and youth the professional and personal development tools and skills needed to succeed in today's digital economy. Many of her participants are operating thriving businesses who have been recognized for their achievements at B.C.’s Indigenous Business Awards in Vancouver. Read more about Loa on LinkedIn.
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December 14th 2022
Title: Lands & Consultation Department Success Stories
At its core, a lands and consultation department plays that important role between the Nation and industry, regulators, or other external parties, such as NGOs, municipalities, or even other First Nations who want to make decisions that impact a Nation’s land base. A lands and consultation department strives to protect a Nation’s territory and reserve lands through a focus on environment and cultural heritage, while also considering interests in economic development.
In this webinar, Scott Mackay (Founder, Senior Consultant) of Shared Value Solutions Ltd., will present on our firm’s challenges and successes in supporting lands and consultation departments, highlighting the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and the value that the lands office has brought to the Nation. We will share how we have worked alongside our clients to set up systems to effectively manage the influx of referrals, and participate meaningfully in regulatory and development processes, while pursuing the Nation’s strategic goals on lands and economic development.
Shared Value Solutions has highlighted our experiences in this free eBook:
Built to Last: A Lands and Consultation Department Guidebook.
Speaker: Scott Mackay, MSc, RPP
Speaker: Scott Mackay, MSc, RPP- Founder and Senior Consultant
Scott is a senior environmental impact assessment consultant and one of the founders of Shared Value Solutions Ltd. He is a Registered Professional Planner with 23 years of diverse professional experience. Highlights of relevant experience:
- Currently acting as the contract Director of Lands and Resources Offices for Acho Dene Koe First
Nation in the Northwest Territories, and Cook’s Ferry Indian Band in British Columbia
- Acted as lead negotiator, or lead advisor (working as part of a team) on environmental/cultural aspects, for indigenous community teams negotiating impact-benefit or similar agreements with industry proponents for major projects, and advising clients on the interactions between the regulatory assessment and permitting process, Crown consultation process, and the negotiation process.
- Designed and facilitated a highly interactive strategic planning process for the consultation and traditional
knowledge departments of Piikani First Nation, Alberta
- Led a literature review for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency on the consideration of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in Federal EAs
- Conducted and led more than 100 environmental peer reviews of proponent environmental assessment and permitting documents for mining, energy, and infrastructure development projects on behalf of Indigenous clients across Canada, with a focus on protecting, mitigating and/or accommodating those clients’ rights and interests from development
- Provided advice on behalf of Indigenous clients to regulators and proponents on the consideration and incorporation of traditional knowledge and land-use, socioeconomic, and cultural baseline study results into impact
- Provided advice and commentary on the recent Federal review of major environmental legislation and policy on behalf of Indigenous clients in Manitoba, Ontario, and the Maritimes, including supporting clients at public hearings.
- Led the development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and an Environmental and Planning Law Framework under Magnetawan First Nation’s land code process.
- Acted as Magnetawan and Shawanaga First Nations’ de facto environmental regulator for a major transmission line project which traversed their land code (reserve) lands.
- Contributed to a strategic environmental assessment of major road alternatives for an all-season road along the James Bay Coast for the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council.
- Scott has also been a sessional instructor of a fourth-year undergraduate course in Environmental Impact Assessment in the Department of Geography, University of Guelph for the past five years- this role is ongoing
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December 7th 2022
Title: Economic development opportunities through use of legislation and G2G agreements
Description: Saul will discuss opportunities that exist in BC for Nations to utilize DRIPA, BCEAA 2018, and Reconciliation Agreements to generate leverage in negotiations and to facilitate territorial-wide environmental and resource management.
Speaker: Saul Joseph
Saul Joseph is of Coast Salish descent and is a member of the Squamish First Nation ------------------
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November 30th 2022
Title: Branding for Entrepreneurs - Personal branding basics: an inside-out approach
Description: When you present your brand to the world, how do people see you? How do you want to be seen? How you portray yourself via your personal branding is an important but daunting task.
Hear from our presenters how to get started and things to consider when building your brand as an entrepreneur. Our presenters will also share how they incorporate Indigenous knowledge into their everyday approach to branding.
Attendees will leave the presentation with a how to guide for self-reflection.
Presenters: Elizabeth Bunney, Melaina Goos, and Cameron Bunney
Elizabeth Bunney, Communications Manager
Elizabeth Bunney is a third generation Métis Citizen from the Métis Nation of Alberta residing on Treaty 6 territory. A Communications Manager for an Indigenous led and majority staffed PR agency, pipikwan pêhtâkwan (pee-pee-gwan pee-tah-gwan), she uses her gift for connecting and storytelling along with her passion for inclusive communications in her work with Indigenous clients and non-Indigenous organizations and those looking to improve their relationships with Indigenous audiences. Her previous roles specialized in internal communications, marketing and communications, as well as social media management and event production. As the current IABC Edmonton Chapter President, Elizabeth is passionate and powerful, sharing the passion she has for her profession with others and encouraging them to be change Branding for Entrepreneurs 1 November 2022 agents in the world. She is an exemplary strategic planner, event planner, crisis and issues manager, relationship builder and key-message developer.
When she’s not trying to change the world, you can find her cheering on her two adult sons in heir latest achievements while experiencing all that Turtle Island has to offer.
Melaina Goos, Graphic Designer
Melaina Goos is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Design degree from MacEwan University. She specializes in Graphic Design, Branding, Typography, and Photography. Melaina is passionate about design and how it is used to communicate. Melaina was the MacEwan Book of the Year Creative Submission Winner in 2019/2020, in which she read and chose quotes from This Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and created a cohesive poster series. She focused on using words of reflection and healing along with photography in the poster designs. Melaina is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, paddle boarding, and spending time with her friends and family.
Cameron Bunney, Graphic Designer
Cameron graduated with a degree in Visual Communications from NAIT, a field he's always found himself passionate about. His background in communications and visual design infuses his unique, but effective approach to creating beautiful and harmonious designs. Cameron is driven by his passion for music, something he feels inspires his designs while also motivating him to constantly push himself every day. He considers himself an open-minded individual, with a great sense of optimism and is constantly looking for new and exciting ways to expand his design knowledge. Cameron has Métis ancestry on his Mother's side of the family and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Cameron believes mindfulness is essential in everyday life, a tenet he lives out through his interests in meditation, working out, and running.
When Cameron isn’t working, you can find him shredding up the mountains on his snowboard, biking the trails along the river valley, or cooking up a variety of dishes in the kitchen.
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November 23rd 2022
Title: River Select Fisheries Co-operative
Description: The River Select Fisheries Cooperative, incorporated in 2014, was created by a business cluster of Indigenous community fisheries in BC who have decided to work together to streamline fishery logistics, processing and marketing, making it more efficient for everyone to invest in their local fisheries and grow into the value chain. This allows the fisheries to create more value from less fish, sustainably preserve local fish populations and to remain competitive with large-scale fisheries.
The co-operatives members are not only the fishers, but the fishing communities and their enterprises that support them. The River Select Fisheries Cooperative is helping build vibrant and prosperous Indigenous communities through local, self-regulated and integrated fisheries businesses led by First Nations.
This session in collaboration with Co-operatives First's Your Way, Together
Speaker: Dave Moore
David Moore has 43 years experience as a fisheries technician in community development with more than 30 Indigenous communities, organizations, and their fisheries around the world. His life’s work aims to restore sustainability to wild capture fisheries and the rights of Indigenous communities who depend upon them and steward them.
He has worked extensively in the Pacific Northwest on restoring First Nations’ wild salmon fisheries, rebuilding Pacific salmon stocks, and reforming harvesting that impacts them. His work has focused on developing community fisheries programming, creating best practices to make small-scale fisheries work again, and building new market access for artisanal harvesters.
He was instrumental in the organization of the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat, created the watershed fisheries newsletter called Watershed Talk, and was involved in the development of the first AFS and PICFI agreements/programming in Pacific Region. He is the former director of the Secwepemc fisheries commission (15 years) and fisheries general manager with Sts’ailes and Sq’éwlets (19 years), and he organized the Assembly of First Nations national fisheries strategy.
He is currently the Business Manager of the River select Fisheries Cooperative, Executive Director of the Inland Salmon Producers Association, and a freelance consultant on First Nations fisheries. Dave is currently living in Kamloops, BC.
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November 16th 2022
Title: Advancing Indigenous Major Projects and Working Toward Net Zero
Description: Ppresentation on who the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) is, and about some of the work FNMPC has accomplished over the last 5 years in relation to Indigenous economic reconciliation and impact assessment capacity development.
The environmental stewardship work is centered around capacity development and aims to increase effective Indigenous involvement in Impact Assessments, through Indigenous led standards, guidance, methods, and approaches that are collaborative in design.
In addition, helping our members advance their major projects is the core focus of the FNMPC’s service delivery. FNMPC’s technical team is active in supporting our member communities in opening doors for First Nations ownership and economic prosperity by providing technical assistance to our members at no cost.
Our work is centered on the following:
- Access to capital by First Nations results in positive impacts in terms of investment in on-reserve infrastructure.
- With long-term stable revenues provided by First Nations participation in major projects, there is potential to make real progress on closing the infrastructure gap.
- The capacity support provided by the FNMPC is the key to unlocking First Nations participation in major projects.
- Aiding our members with technical support as they pursue their interests in specific projects including the development of a hydroelectric facility, major transmission line, and pipeline projects.
Speaker: Angel Ransom
Angel Ransom
Angel Ransom is a member of the Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation and part of the Kwun Ba Whut’en (Caribou) Clan. With a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning her skills, knowledge and experience include Indigenous land use planning, environmental/impact assessment and natural resource management.
Aside from being a principal to her consulting company, she is also the Senior VP, Environmental Services for the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. Angel currently serves as: A committee member on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Committee (2nd term); A Director at Large on the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada Board (2nd term); and, a Director on the Planning Institute of British Columbia Board (1st term).
In addition, she served as an Adjunct Professor with the School of Environmental Planning at the University of Northern British Columbia from 2018-2021, and a Committee Member of the BC Environmental Assessment Office Indigenous Implementation Committee for the BC EA Revitalization process.
Some of her recent work include leading the development of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition’s ‘Major Projects Assessment Standard’ and ‘Guidance Appendices’ and ‘Guide to Effective Indigenous Involvement in Federal Impact Assessment’ and an 8-part video series.
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November 9th 2022
Title: Emergency Response and Training Opportunities
Description: Emergency response needs are increasing across industries and communities. Understanding that Indigenous communities are often negatively affected by emergency events (e.g. due to climate change, increasing operational needs of industry facilities and operations, changes or gaps in policy, etc.), being involved at all levels of emergency response is important to addressing the event. Communities have hold tremendous amounts of knowledge experience that play a vital role in support efforts. Being prepared is key to mobilizing your community and your members to ensure response is effective. We will discuss some case studies that will show how communities can be prepared to be involved with emergency events.
Speaker: Kear Porttris
Kear Porttris is the Director of Indigenous Relations for QM Environmental. In this role he heads partnership development as well as supports Indigenous initiatives and program on projects across Canada. Kear is a Métis-Chinese professional who has been walking in multiple worlds since he was born. His Father is Métis and his mother is a Chinese immigrant from Hong Kong. He grew up in Treaty Four Territory in Regina, Saskatchewan. With a civil engineering background, holding an undergraduate and Master of Applied Science Degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria, he merges education, personal, and professional experience with a solutions-based lens. He has extensive experience developing partnerships between industry and Indigenous Communities – working within consulting, construction and academia. He focuses on using a collaborative approach to bolster and support Indigenization and engagement across disciplines and find unique and effective solutions for stakeholders, partners, collaborators and clients. He is able to combine his professional training with his unique perspectives and network to support operational needs but also as an advocate. He is involved with a number of interesting and innovative projects that are pushing the limits of Indigenization in industry.
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November 2nd 2022
Title: Working Effectively with the Government
Description: Did you know the Federal Government has a process for Indigenous businesses to collaborate with them to deliver products and services to the Federal Government and the public?This webinar will run through the steps to set up your business correctly and begin the process of working effectively with the Federal Government.
Speaker: Angela Adsit
Angela Adsit is a proud member of the Tahltan Nation and resides on the unceded territory of the Splatsin people in the North Okanagan. She has held several Executive level positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous organizations. She also sat on her Nation’s Government Board of Directors who oversee all the economic development within the Tahltan territory in northern BC. Growing up ‘in both worlds’, she understands the need to integrate both societies and the various components of a community, so the community is built holistically, strategically, and with the local Indigenous ways of ‘being and doing’ at the centre. Angela is an instructor with several Indigenous and non-Indigenous training/educational organizations, and she develops culturally-aware curriculum in Indigenous entrepreneurship, and community and business development.
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October 26th, 2022
Title: Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR): Working Together for a Greener Tomorrow
Description: Join us to learn more about the new clean energy funding program, and the partnerships that developed through the program creation process.
The CEDR Program was funded and developed in partnership with Coast Funds and the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation as part of the Ministry’s remote community energy strategy to achieve the CleanBC goal of reducing diesel electricity generation and heating in remote communities by 80% by 2030. The CEDR Program will also be co-delivered by Coast Funds who will focus on supporting the eligible remote communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.
The CEDR Program provides non-repayable funding contributions for clean energy initiatives to eligible remote communities that are off-grid residential regions that rely on diesel fuel for electricity generation. British Columbia has approximately forty-four (44) remote communities, most of which are governed by First Nations. In 2019, BC remote communities consumed at least 19.1 million litres of diesel, emitting 51,784 tonnes CO2e.
Remote communities will have access to three funding streams to support them as they progress through various stages of their planning and implementation of their decarbonization projects. This will ensure remote communities have financial supports throughout the lifecycle of their energy projects that meets them at the stage where they are at, whether it be at the beginning, early, mid, or late stages of planning or implementation of their decarbonization projects.
Presenters: Selina Beltran and Sarah Powell
Presenters:
Selina BeltranSelina Beltran is from Tsleil-Waututh Nation and graduated from the University of Victoria in 2019 with a major in Gender Studies. Selina works on the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) and the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) programs with Sarah Powell. Selina is passionate about helping Indigenous and remote communities meet their energy goals.
Selina is also on the board of directors for two small organizations, the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) and the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women Of Colour (SNIWWOC). CREAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to community-based research, education, and advocacy. SNIWWOC is a non-profit organization that focuses on reproductive justice and the empowerment of women in Victoria and Vancouver.
Sarah PowellSarah Powell is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and currently resides in Prince George, BC. She graduated from the University of Victoria and has a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Geography and a minor in Indigenous Studies. Sarah joined the New Relationship Trust in 2020 through the Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) after her Ministry of Transportation placement. She now works at the Senior Associate level as a Program Specialist administering the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), and the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) Program. Sarah’s goal through her work is to assist Nations on their journey to energy self-sovereignty and reduce community reliance on diesel. Previously, Sarah worked with NRT’s education initiatives and corporate services, and for the BC Wildfire Service as a dispatcher at the Cariboo Fire Centre.
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October 19th, 2022
Title: Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project in Northeastern BC
This webinar will highlight the Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project in Northeastern BC, Treaty 8 Territory. This geothermal project is 100% owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation and expected to be the first commercial geothermal electricity generating facility in British Columbia. The project will re-purpose the historic Clarke Lake Gas Field, utilizing decades of geoscience data, and geothermal mapping in this well known geothermal hot spot. Re-purposing the Clarke Lake gas field into a sustainable, geothermal project has potential to revolutionize the north and bring food and energy security to the territory. Indigenous-owned clean energy projects are leading the way in achieving net zero targets in Canada and Tu Deh-Kah is a great example of that.
Speaker: Taylor Behn-Tsakoza
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is the Community Liaison for the project and will present from a community perspective and share key milestones and some exciting value-added opportunities being pursued by her Nation.
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is a proud Dene woman from the Fort Nelson and Prophet River First Nations in BC Treaty 8 Territory. Coming from a health and recreation background and years of experience working with Indigenous youth on and off-reserve, clean energy is a new but exciting field that Taylor is honoured to be working in. Taylor is currently the Community Liaison for Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal.
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October 12th, 2022
Session was cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Title: Investment Attraction and Digital Assets in the MetaVerse
Description: In 2021, ORIGIN in partnership with Kitimat Valley Education Society (KVES) responded to the Digital Investment Attraction Assets RFP put out by the City of Terrace, BC. The purpose of this project was to improve the domestic and international marketing of the City of Terrace to economic audiences. The objectives were to better brand and market the economic and business assets of the City to the world to attract new interest in local investment and business opportunities. KVES seen an opportunity to respond with strategic partnerships with the intent that the end result would increase the amount of investment attraction ultimately resulting in more employment opportunities for Haisla Nation membership and beyond.
Speaker: Charmaine McCraw
Charmaine McCraw – Indigenous Engagement and Training Lead
Charmaine McCraw was born and raised in Caramat, ON and now calls Thunder Bay, home. She is a proud member of Bigitigong Nishnaabeg, situated along the northern shores of Lake Superior and has built her career in Community Economic Development with a focus on building capacity.
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October 5th, 2022
Title: Empowering & Protecting B.C. Investors
Description: This presentation highlights how the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) acts as a guardian of the province’s investment marketplace, striving to make B.C. a place where people can invest with confidence and companies can flourish. The presenters will discuss: how the BCSC works with companies and entrepreneurs; what the BCSC does to protect B.C.’s investment markets; and, how the BCSC educates investors. The presenters will also discuss how the BCSC is connecting with indigenous communities, organizations, and businesses to support capital raising and build awareness about the benefits of investing.
Speakers: Ken Gracey and Pamela McDonald
Ken Gracey, Manager, Corporate Communications
British Columbia Securities Commission
Ken is a professional communicator who has worked in both the public and private sector for various organizations, applying a wide-range of skills to many exciting initiatives and projects.
In his current role, Ken leads the British Columbia Securities Commission’s (BCSC) corporate communications team, which is responsible for engaging with industry stakeholders and other external groups, including indigenous organizations and communities.
Ken is passionate about educating and informing people on how to protect themselves while seeking to achieve their financial goals through investing. Ken serves on a North American Securities Administrators Association project group, and is a former Chair of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ Investor Education Committee.
In his spare time, Ken enjoys biking, cooking and gardening. He also coaches baseball and minor hockey.
Pamela McDonald is the Director of Communications and Education at the British Columbia Securities Commission.
She is a seasoned communications professional with more than twenty-five years of experience in the communications and public affairs professions providing strategic counsel to senior corporate and government executives, and Boards of Directors on all aspects of a company’s business.
Ms. McDonald has extensive experience working in senior communications and public affairs roles in the private and public sectors, having worked at TELUS and the B.C. Transmission Corporation, as well as with the B.C. Olympic Games Secretariat and as an advisor to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
She is also passionate about giving back to her community and is involved in local not-for-profit organizations that support arts education for disadvantaged and youth at risk.
Ms. McDonald is a graduate of the University of British Columbia.
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September 28th, 2022
Title: Indigenous Peoples - 2021 Census Release
Description: This webinar, presented by Statistics Canada, will cover the 2021 Census of Population newly released information (September 21st release day) for Indigenous peoples: First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada.
Speaker: Henry Robertson, Analyst for Statistics Canada
Henry Robertson was born in Thunder Bay, is of mostly settler heritage. He is an economist by training and has worked at Statistics Canada with the Centre of Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships since 2017. His research covers a variety of subjects but primarily focuses on material wellbeing and labour market outcomes of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit. Outside of work, he is a new father, a musician and an amateur botanist who researches rare plants in the Ottawa Valley.
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September 21st, 2022
Title: Measuring What is Meaningful - Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Socio Economics and Community Based Indicators
Webinar Description: Come engage in conversation on how the integration of Indigenous knowledge can improve outcomes for government/industry and communities. Topics discussed are why is this important, how the relationship can and has changed from exploitative to mutually beneficial and how to look forward and backwards for guidance.
Speaker: Christy Smith
Speaker Bio: Christy Smith
Christy is a member of K’ómoks First Nation, living in her traditional territory on Vancouver Island. Christy has authentically navigated both Indigenous and non-indigenous worlds while working in the resource sector for over 25 years. Her work is deeply rooted in reconciliation and decolonizing the approach to ways of doing business. Engaging and building good relationships are at the core of what Christy does as a changemaker, mentor, liaison, project manager, and engagement expert. She has facilitated workshops, presented at national mining conventions, instructed at universities, de-escalated complex situations, mentored Indigenous entrepreneurs, negotiated countless benefits agreements, advocated on the behalf First Nations’ governments and industry proponents, and built capacity within every organization of which she has been a part. Christy has a BA in Native Studies from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia and is a wife and mother. Christy currently serves as a Partner and Vice President, Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations with Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd. of Vancouver and Vice President, Sustainability with TDG Gold Corp. She is currently serving as Vice Chair for the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Committee for the Association for Mineral Exploration in BC. She has recently authored Weaving Two Worlds – Economic Reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector.
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September 7th, 2022
Title: IKS Change Management
Webinar Description:
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Change Management are essential to effectively implement incremental or transformative change. Tanya Tourangeau, Reconciliation Strategist, will share how she applies 4 Cs to change management processes and adapts concepts of ADKAR to include IKS.
Speaker: Tanya Tourangeau
Tanya Tourangeau is a proud Dene First Nation from the Northwest Territories, currently living on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta. Strongly believing we can build this nation together, Tanya’s work focuses on bridging partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities.
Her background is in leading Reconciliation through joint economic development, policy development, strategic planning, stakeholder relations, and organizational change. Tanya has worked for many Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, non-profit and for-profit organizations to create meaningful, large-scale systemic impact.
Tanya’s Vision for her Indigenous-led consulting business, Tanya T Consulting:
Through Reconciliation and Collaboration, Indigenous People and Canada Thrive Together.
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August 24th, 2022
Title: Indigenous Governance and Nation Building
Description: This webinar will examine the foundation of Good Governance, including:- The ABC’s of Good Governance
- 5 Principles of Good Governance
- 5 Core principles of Native Nation rebuilding
- How governance affects nation building
- Indigenous governance applications to successful Nation building
- What success looks like
Speaker: Angela Adsit
Angela Adsit Angela is a proud member of the Tahltan Nation and resides on the unceded territory of the Splatsin people in the North Okanagan. She has held several Executive level positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit Indigenous organizations. She also sat on her Nation’s Government Board of Directors who oversee all the economic development within the Tahltan territory in northern BC. Growing up ‘in both worlds’, she understands the need to integrate both societies and the various components of a community, so the community is built holistically, strategically, and with the local Indigenous ways of ‘being and doing’ at the centre. Angela is an instructor with several Indigenous and non-Indigenous training/educational organizations, and she develops culturally-aware curriculum in Indigenous entrepreneurship, and community and business development.
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August 17th, 2022
Title: 2021 Census of Population
Description: Please join Statistics Canada as we explore the 2021 Census of Population. We will look at released data, upcoming releases, and additional sources of information available from the 2021 Census. The session will explore how businesses and communities use census data. In addition, we will provide a demonstration on how to access Census results from Statistics Canada’s website.
Speakers: Darren Lezubski and Desiree Ng
Darren Lezubski
Darren W. Lezubski is a Consulting Analyst and Course Instructor with Statistics Canada. Darren has worked for Statistics Canada for almost ten years. During his career, Darren has also taught at the University of Manitoba. A first generation Canadian, Darren holds a Master’s Degree in City Planning from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba and an undergraduate degree (Urban Studies) from the University of Winnipeg.
Desiree Ng
Desiree Ng is an Acting Regional Engagement Manager with the Statistical Information Service (SIS) of Statistics Canada in the Western and Northern Region. For the past 14 years with Statistics Canada, Desiree has held a number of different positions. For the 2021 Census, she worked as a Field Operation Manager, where she oversaw reserve enumeration in the interior and northern BC. After the 2021 Census, Desiree worked as a Consulting Analyst to provide advice to major data users. In her current role, Desiree actively participates in various outreach activities to promote Statistics Canada’s products and services.
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August 3rd, 2022
2:00PM PT / 3:00PM MT / 4:00PM CT / 5:00PM ET
Title: Bring Your Indigenous Business Idea to Life
Webinar Description:
Do you have a great idea for a business, but aren’t sure how to turn it into a profitable business venture? In this webinar, you’ll learn how to turn your idea into a reality. This session will teach you:
- The basics of what it takes to start and run a business
- How to create a business model and a plan to launch your business
- Where to access planning and startup resources
- How Business Link can help with your next steps
Participants will learn how to complete a one-page business outline and have access to additional materials and resources to bring their Indigenous business to life.
Speakers: Norma Jean Wolfchild and Skye Gladu
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ufuutqzsiHdAKDmGYRVgrDchCRCIzayL8
Norma Jean Wolfchild has over 10 years’ experience assisting and guiding entrepreneurs in all stages of entrepreneurship and being a part of Business Link, she assists Indigenous entrepreneurs in Alberta. Norma is a member of the Blood Tribe, which is part of the Treaty 7 territory and Blackfoot Confederacy.
Norma Jean is a very enthusiastic individual and enjoys life’s adventures. Part of her spare time is spent on her Blackfoot Hills Honey and Crafts business, gardening, beekeeping, keeping chickens and goats. She mostly enjoys spending time with her husband and three children as well as her mom, siblings, nieces, nephews, family, and friends who are dear to her.
Skye Gladu is Cree and currently lives in Edmonton, located on Treaty 6 Territory. From Alexander First Nation! She holds a Bachelor’s Degree that specializes in Business Management, Administration and Indigenous Governance. Skye started working for Business Link in April as one of the Indigenous Business Strategists. Skye has extensive knowledge in all aspects of the business world, from start-up to expansion.
Skye is proud to be a mentor to all Indigenous entrepreneurs and leads by example. She can provide one-on-one coaching. Her primary goal is to capture the best days of your life. She enjoys helping people cherish their memories for years to come and wants to help make your dreams come alive.
Skye is excited about using her education and experience to help aspiring and established Indigenous business owners thrive.
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July 27th, 2022
Title: Business Model Canvas
Webinar Description:
Learn how the Business Model Canvas (BMC), a one-page visual plan, can be used to assess and streamline a new business idea or re-work a current business offering. The tool helps you visualize each element of your business operations to see how everything connects.
Speakers: Norma Jean Wolfchild and Skye Gladu
Norma Jean Wolfchild has over 10 years’ experience assisting and guiding entrepreneurs in all stages of entrepreneurship and being a part of Business Link, she assists Indigenous entrepreneurs in Alberta. Norma is a member of the Blood Tribe, which is part of the Treaty 7 territory and Blackfoot Confederacy.
Norma Jean is a very enthusiastic individual and enjoys life’s adventures. Part of her spare time is spent on her Blackfoot Hills Honey and Crafts business, gardening, beekeeping, keeping chickens and goats. She mostly enjoys spending time with her husband and three children as well as her mom, siblings, nieces, nephews, family, and friends who are dear to her.
Skye Gladu is Cree and currently lives in Edmonton, located on Treaty 6 Territory. From Alexander First Nation! She holds a Bachelor’s Degree that specializes in Business Management, Administration and Indigenous Governance. Skye started working for Business Link in April as one of the Indigenous Business Strategists. Skye has extensive knowledge in all aspects of the business world, from start-up to expansion.
Skye is proud to be a mentor to all Indigenous entrepreneurs and leads by example. She can provide one-on-one coaching. Her primary goal is to capture the best days of your life. She enjoys helping people cherish their memories for years to come and wants to help make your dreams come alive.
Skye is excited about using her education and experience to help aspiring and established Indigenous business owners thrive.
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July 20th, 2022
Title: An Indigenous Approach to Well-being and Planning
What is well-being?
As indigenous peoples we view ‘well-being’ on a much broader scale, it is
all encompassing. It is our emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical
health.
Why is it important?
Our well-being, individually and as a community is the foundation for
success and the backbone in moving forward together.
Our wellbeing impacts how we view ourselves, interact with our family
and community, set goals, and share our knowledge and teachings.
Key Topics:
The presentation will cover how your Nation can design a set of socioeconomic
indicators to create a baseline of well-being and how it can
incorporated into:
Comprehensive Community Planning; Economic development; and Governance
Speaker: Ashley Wright
Ashley Wright, is K’ómoks member and Treaty Manager for the K'ómoks First Nation, where she is helping the Nation prepare for self-government.
She has worked on a number of land use planning and community planning projects in her time with K'ómoks. Ashley began working for the K’ómoks First Nation in 2014 in Economic Development. Before that, she spent 7 years working for financial institutions in various roles from customer service to management. She attended Vancouver Island University where she gained knowledge and appreciation for research and the study of Anthropology and English.
She recently graduated from UBC Sauder School of Business with a certificate in Professional Project Management.
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July 13th, 2022
Title: Networking to Build Business Opportunities
Description: This networking webinar will give you the confidence to walk into a room full of people and OWN IT! (Insert finger snap here)
Networking can be a big procrastination area for many people as it’s not easy to approach complete strangers and strike up meaningful conversation, much less assessing and progressing a business opportunity. Instead, look at networking as making new business friends that can turn into collaborators, clients and referral sources.
In this webinar, Loa will teach you how to approach networking with enthusiasm, gain question openers that generate good conversation, learn to “work the room”, follow up after the event, and ensure you have a full database of great contacts, allies and leads to call on in the future.
Speaker: Loa FridfinnsonLoa has 20+ years of entrepreneurial, marketing, technology and sales expertise through her marketing agency Activ8, consulting for emerging private and public companies (Indigenous and non), and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. She also works with progressive Indigenous communities in B.C. passing along marketing, digital media and sales knowledge to Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to startand grow companies that they are passionate about.Loa created a 15-course business training program that gives Indigenous adults and youth the professional and personal development tools and skills needed to succeed in today's digital economy. Many of her participants are operating thriving businesses who have been recognized for their achievements at B.C.’s Indigenous Business Awards in Vancouver. Read more about Loa on LinkedIn.
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July 6th, 2022
Title: Nation Rebuilding
Speakers:
Laara E. Yaghujaanas, M.A., owns and operates Carden Consulting, which she established in 1997.
Dr. Robert Joseph is from Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ranginui, Maniapoto, Raukawa, Tūwharetoa, and Ngāi Tahu
Speakers:
Laara E. Yaghujaanas, M.A., owns and operates Carden Consulting, which she established in 1997.
Laara is from the yaghu ‘jaanas clan of the Haida Nation and carries her great grandmothers name “Kun G aadaas”. Laara holds a master’s degree from Royal Roads University, was awarded the Royal Roads University Founders Award, has completed the Justice Institute Conflict Resolution and Negotiation course, is a CTT Certified Consultant (Level 2), a member of the Council of Native Development Officers (CANDO), a member of the New Relationship Trust Economic Development Support Team, and is an Advisor for the Indigenous Business Awards. Laara is currently pursuing her PhD in Indigenous Governance with the University of Victoria.
Dr. Robert Joseph
Dr Joseph is from Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ranginui, Maniapoto, Raukawa, Tūwharetoa, and Ngāi Tahu and was brought up in Hastings and Hamilton. Dr Joseph is a Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa-Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato, he was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1998, and he completed his PhD in law and Māori governance at the University of Waikato in 2006. Dr Joseph was a senior research fellow for Te Mātāhauariki Research Institute under the leadership of the late Judge Michael Brown, and in the Pro-Vice Chancellor Māori Office at Waikato
University under Dr Linda Tuhiwai Smith. In 2007, Dr Joseph was awarded a Building Research Capability in Social Science (BRCSS) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and the ‘Best PhD Thesis Internationally on Canadian Studies Award’ in 2009 by the International Council for Canadian Studies.
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June 29, 2022
Webinar title: Procurement 101: Bid Readiness
Description: Getting ready to submit a bid for any project can be complicated and can take a lot of time and resources. What steps can you take to ensure you’re well positioned to submit qualified RFP responses? We’ll discuss what you can do in advance to make sure you’re ready to go when the time comes, and we will review some procurement basics.
Speaker: Eitan Dehtiar
Speaker: Eitan Dehtiar
A seasoned senior executive, Eitan brings nearly 30 year’s Canada-wide and international cross sector experience. Eitan has served in an interim senior finance capacity for 11 organizations, in projects ranging from start up to restructuring, and has an extensive background in procurement and strategic sourcing, with a focus on the resource sector as well as the not for profit sector. He is also a Principal with Land and People Planning and organization focussed on ESG and community wellness and development across Canada. Eitan has an extensive governance background, having served on various community, industry and government boards and tribunals, as well as volunteering on various capacity building initiatives. He is a graduate of Queen’s University, with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, holds the CPA ,CMA designations and is a graduate of the Directors Education Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).
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June 22, 2022
Title: An Indigenous Approach to Strategic Planning
Description: Traditional values & knowledge are fundamental components to strategic planning; this session will share how to incorporate them into your planning process.
Session topics:
- Identifying and understanding Indigenous traditional values and knowledge related to planning
- What is Strategic Planning? & Why is it important?
- How can Strategic Plans align with Indigenous Views and/or TRC Calls to Action?
- Steps to Strategic Planning
Speaker: Tanya Tourangeau
Tanya Tourangeau is a proud Dene First Nation from the Northwest Territories, currently living on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta. Strongly believing we can build this nation together, Tanya’s work focuses on bridging partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities.
Her background is in leading Reconciliation through joint economic development, policy development, strategic planning, stakeholder relations, and organizational change. Tanya has worked for many Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, non-profit and for-profit organizations to create meaningful, large-scale systemic impact.
Tanya’s Vision for her Indigenous-led consulting business, Tanya T Consulting:
Through Reconciliation and Collaboration, Indigenous People and Canada Thrive Together.
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June 15, 2022
Title: Comprehensive Community Planning Panel
Description: Join Ashley Wright (K'omoks First Nation) and Tina McLean (previously Strathcona Regional District) for a roundtable discussion on Comprehensive Community Planning success stories to be moderated by Dr. Pamela Shaw, Director of the Master of Community Planning Program at Vancouver Island University. They will share the successes and challenges of getting community involved in the process moving forward in a good way with examples from their professional and personal community experiences.
Speakers: Ashley Wright (K'omoks First Nation) and Tina McLean (previously Strathcona Regional District) for a roundtable discussion on Comprehensive Community Planning success stories to be moderated by Dr. Pamela Shaw
Ashley Wright
Ashley Wright, is K’ómoks member and Treaty Manager for the K'ómoks First Nation, where she is helping the Nation prepare for self-government.
She has worked on a number of land use planning and community planning projects in her time with K'ómoks. Ashley began working for the K’ómoks First Nation in 2014 in Economic Development. Before that, she spent 7 years working for financial institutions in various roles from customer service to management. She attended Vancouver Island University where she gained knowledge and appreciation for research and the study of Anthropology and English.
She recently graduated from UBC Sauder School of Business with a certificate in Professional Project Management.
Tina McLean
Tina McLean is a member of the K’omoks First Nation. Tina’s past work for First Nations included roles as Office Manager, Housing Coordinator, Guardian Watchmen Coordinator, Operations Manager, Assistant Administrator and Administrator. Tina has over a decade of experience working for First Nations and has brought that knowledge to Strathcona Regional District to build elected officials and staff cultural awareness, First Nations governance and relationship building.
Tina has been in her role as the First Nations Coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) for over a year when the role was created. Early on in her role and after the discovery of the 215 children at the Kamloops residential school it become clear that there was a need to build a foundation of awareness and knowledge before engaging with the 10 First Nations that the SRD region is in. Most recently Tina organized a 2.5 workshop at the SRD for elected officials and senior staff of Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nations, Village of Sayward, Village of Tahsis, Village of Zeballos, Village of Gold River, City of Campbell River and Comox Valley Regional District. The workshop had a half day of learning about the UNDRIP Action Plan, TRC. A full day of learning about different governance structures of First Nations and their funding, capacity, planning and treaty negotiations. There was a full day of workgroups discussing engagement and communication, MOU’s and protocols, and opportunities for reconciliation with First Nations. Action items were developed for them to take back to their governments for discussion.
Tina has lived in the Comox Valley her entire life and has raised her 4 children with her husband and many fur babies on the K’omoks reserve. Tina loves spending time with her family, practicing her culture and learning more about her culture and traditions and her favourite place to be is by any ocean, lake or river.
Moderator: Pamela Shaw PhD FCIP RPP FRCGS is the Director of the Master of Community Planning Program at Vancouver Island University and Coordinator for the new Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate (in partnership with NALMA).
Pam is the co-author of “Planning Canadian Communities” so you could say she "wrote the book" on community planning.
Pam has over 35 years of experience as a professional planner in communities both large and small and across Vancouver Island.
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June 8, 2022
Webinar title: Planning for the Lands and Waters
Description: Are you interested in working as a community planner on topics that relate to economic development, the protection of lands and waters, or growth and change? Join in on a session that discusses the experiences you might have as a community planner, and the pathways you could take to gain knowledge and experience in this area.
Speaker: Pamela Shaw
Pamela Shaw PhD FCIP RPP FRCGS is the Director of the Master of Community Planning Program at Vancouver Island University and Coordinator for the new Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate (in partnership with NALMA). Pam is the co-author of “Planning Canadian Communities” so you could say she "wrote the book" on community planning. Pam has over 35 years of experience as a professional planner in communities both large and small and across Vancouver Island.
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June 1, 2022
Webinar Title: Economic Reconciliation
Description: How do businesses take action towards economic reconciliation that goes beyond checking a box? Join Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe, Squamish Nation) for a session where she will discuss the learnings and content of the Economic Reconciliation Framework in BC, based on convenings with Indigenous thought leaders and community economic development practitioners from across the province. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of what transformative economic reconciliation looks like, and invitations for how businesses and individuals can commit to this journey of economic reconciliation. Following a presentation of the framework there will be some small-group discussions and a Q&A period.
Speaker: Chief Leanne Joe
Chief Leanne Joe
Sxwpilemaát Siyám is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the first female Chief of the Lackett Joe Family. Sxwpilemaát Siyám shares her ancestral name with her late father, Sxwpilem Siyam, Chief Philip Joe. She is also a descendent of the Ayajusem (Frank-K'omoks) and Kwak̓ wala (Wilson-We Wai Kai) speaking families and carries the ancestral name of Q-Gee-Sea Loud, which was given to her by her Cheecheeya (grandmother on her mother’s side). She is also a descendant of the Thomas family of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation on her late grandmother’s side of the family (her late father’s mother).
She was born and raised on the coastal shores of Esla7han, North Vancouver, while having close relations to her roots on the east coast shores of Vancouver Island. She moved to the Nicola Valley 14 years ago, after she met, fell in love and married N’pitkwulawx, Tim ‘Spike’ Manuel, member of Upper Nicola Band. They have a teenage son Isaac, who carries 3 traditional names from his Sylix (Skwcee), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Skw'unek) and Kwakwaka’wakw (Manłida'as) families. Her husband, N’pitkwulawx, is a traditional knowledge keeper/cultural teacher and works with youth and community to engage them in rebuilding their cultural teachings and knowledge. Skw'unek, Isaac, is their life teacher as he engages them in on-going healing, listening, laughter and patience.
Sxwpilemaát Siyám currently Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation, with Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Environment, Community Economic Development program. She is extremely passionate about her work in Economic Reconciliation and hopes that she can inspire others to meaningful engage in it. To find out more, please visit the SFU CED website: SFU CED Economic Reconciliation. Sxwpilemaát Siyám also serves as a Trustee for the Squamish Nation Trust, representing the benefactors in the management of these community Trust funds. Sxwpilemaát Siyám is a Board member of her son’s former school, Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School, which is managed by the non-profit, The Society for the Education of Children with Specific Learning Disabilities and the Women in Leadership Foundation. Sxwpilemaát Siyám has a BA in Business Administration, Community Economic Development Certificate, and other related certificates and training. Sxwpilemaát Siyám authentic teachings come from her culture, language and lands of her peoples. She is a very passionate and resilient woman who is committed to being in service of her families, communities and Nations. She knows that our legacy is our children; thus, understands her responsibility to ensure that their future and the generations to come, have a more balance, peace and wellness in their lives. Whereupon, they have the tools to engage in the world in a completely different way than we have and can walk in two worlds with ease…using the knowledge of the past to make a brighter future.
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May 25, 2022
Webinar Title: Indigenous Law and Economic Development
Description: What is Indigenous Law? How can we support Indigenous Communities in advancing Economic Development and revitalize Indigenous Laws. Koren Lightning-Earle is Legal Director at Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. She engages with Indigenous community thru community led research. The Lodge supports Indigenous communities' goals to identify, articulate, and implement their own laws and governance.
Speaker: Koren Lightning-Earle
Koren Lightning-Earle, ’00 BA(Rec/Leisure), ’04 BA, ’07 LLB, ’18 LLM, CIC.C, Blue Thunderbird Woman, is Cree from Samson Cree Nation. She is a Legal Director at Wahkotowin Law and Governance Lodge. She is Vice-President of Kasohkowew Child Wellness Society and Board Member for First Nations Caring Society. She is Acting Commissioner for Alberta Utilities Commission. She is Board Member for Peace Hills Insurance. She was the Indigenous Initiatives Liaison at the Law Society of Alberta. She was President of the Indigenous Bar Association for 6 years.
Koren graduated from Law School in 2007 at the University of Alberta. She was called to the bar in February 2009 and had the honour of having her Bar Call on her Reserve of Samson Cree Nation. She was called by Chief Justice Wachowich and Federal Court Justice Mandamin. Koren received her Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, her concentration was Alternative Dispute Resolution. Koren’s work focuses on working with Indigenous clients and supporting the revitalization of Indigenous Laws. Koren advises in the areas of Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Child Welfare, Indian Act matters. Koren also is an accomplished speaker on Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Relationship Building.
She was awarded “Tomorrow’s Leader” Award from Women in Law Leadership Awards in 2019. She was awarded the Alumni Horizon Award from the University of Alberta in 2017. Koren is alumni of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, she participated in the 2017 NWT Tour. She was an elected council member for Samson Cree Nation from 2011-2014 and is co-founder of Hub, a community mobilization program to help reduce crime. She was co-chair of the First Nations Women’s Economic Security Council. She is a sessional instructor at Maskwacis Cultural College and University of Alberta, Faculty of Law.
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May 11, 2022
Webinar Title: Creating a Community Economic Development Plan
Description: This workshop will introduce participants to what a community economic development plan (CEDP) is, the key principles to understand in the development of a CEDP, the steps on how to develop a CEDP, and foundational approaches in developing your CEDP.
Learning outcomes include:
- Understanding what a CEDP is,
- Understand the key principles to understand for a CEDP,
- Understand the steps to develop a CEDP, and
- Understand foundational CEDP approaches.
Speakers: Laara E. Yaghujaanas and Mark Salter
Laara E. Yaghujaanas, M.A., owns and operates Carden Consulting, which she established in 1997.
Laara is from the yaghu ‘jaanas clan of the Haida Nation and carries her great grandmothers name “Kun G aadaas”. Laara holds a master’s degree from Royal Roads University, was awarded the Royal Roads University Founders Award, has completed the Justice Institute Conflict Resolution and Negotiation course, is a CTT Certified Consultant (Level 2), a member of the Council of Native Development Officers (CANDO), a member of the New Relationship Trust Economic Development Support Team, and is an Advisor for the Indigenous Business Awards. Laara is currently pursuing her PhD in Indigenous Governance with the University of Victoria.
Mark F. Salter joined Carden Consulting in the summer of 2017 as a business and life partner with Laara. Mark has worked with First Nations for more than ten years’ including management services and developing intergovernmental partnerships. Mark has also completed the Justice Institute Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program, has been recognized by the Capital Regional District and Lieutenant Governor General for Environmental Leadership (benefitting the regions of Southern Vancouver Island), and is currently completing his AIP3 Certification with the International Association of Public Participation Practitioners, and is committed to maximizing First Peoples benefits from UNDRIP, DRIPA and FPIC.
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May 4, 2022
Webinar Title: Establish/Re-establish a Development Corporation
Description: This workshop will introduce participants to lessons learned in setting up a development corporation and how to develop a community economic development plan. This workshop explores the work typically undertaken by leaders, the legal structure options, and the responsibility of leaders to set the strategic direction of a DC to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness.
Learning outcomes include:
- Understand the scope of leaders' responsibilities
- Understand Legal Structure Options
- Understand the responsibility of leaders to set the Strategic Direction of a DC to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness
Speakers: Laara E. Yaghujaanas and Mark SalterLaara E. Yaghujaanas, M.A., owns and operates Carden Consulting, which she established in 1997.
Laara is from the yaghu ‘jaanas clan of the Haida Nation and carries her great grandmothers name “Kun G aadaas”. Laara holds a master’s degree from Royal Roads University, was awarded the Royal Roads University Founders Award, has completed the Justice Institute Conflict Resolution and Negotiation course, is a CTT Certified Consultant (Level 2), a member of the Council of Native Development Officers (CANDO), a member of the New Relationship Trust Economic Development Support Team, and is an Advisor for the Indigenous Business Awards. Laara is currently pursuing her PhD in Indigenous Governance with the University of Victoria.
Mark F. Salter joined Carden Consulting in the summer of 2017 as a business and life partner with Laara. Mark has worked with First Nations for more than ten years’ including management services and developing intergovernmental partnerships. Mark has also completed the Justice Institute Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program, has been recognized by the Capital Regional District and Lieutenant Governor General for Environmental Leadership (benefitting the regions of Southern Vancouver Island), and is currently completing his AIP3 Certification with the International Association of Public Participation Practitioners, and is committed to maximizing First Peoples benefits from UNDRIP, DRIPA and FPIC.
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April 20, 2022
Webinar Title: Project Management Workshop
Webinar Summary: In the past few decades, organizations have discovered something incredible: principles that have been used to create enormous successes in large projects can be applied to projects of any size to create amazing success. As a result, many employees are expected to understand project management techniques and how to apply them to projects of any size.
This workshop will give you an overview of a project management process, as well as key project management tools that you can use every day.
Learning Objectives:
• Define project, project management, and project manager
• Describe the triple constraint
• Perform a project needs assessment and write goals, requirements, and deliverables
• Build a project schedule by estimating time, costs, and resources
• RACI chart
• Monitor and maintain the project
Speaker: Miranda Kennedy
Miranda Kennedy is proud member of the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan. Her Cree Name is “asiniy apiw eskwew” which means woman who sits with the rocks. Miranda Kennedy attended the University of Saskatchewan and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resource Management. She has over 20 years of combined experience in social work, human resources, and project management. Her upbeat attitude, great communication skills, and extensive background in handling complex issues makes her a valuable resource for First Nations communities. Ms. Miranda Kennedy is a highly experienced Motivational Speaker, HR Advisor, Trainer and Life Skills coach. Ms. Kennedy is passionate about helping First Nations youth become independent, resourceful, and contributing members of their community. As a educator, Miranda uses both traditional and contemporary teaching methods, along with personal experiences and self-reflection to assist youth in achieving their goals. Ms. Kennedy has also led various HR initiatives during her career and is a results driven, focused, HR professional with a strong understanding of First Nation’s businesses, their priorities, and challenges. She believes in people and their potential and encourages others to develop personally and professionally in their careers to change attitudes, workplaces, and even nations. Miranda Kennedy currently serves as the Vice President of Okimaw Community & HR Solutions, a consulting firm that helps First Nations build strong and thriving communities.
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April 13, 2022
Webinar Title: Business Start-up Webinar
Join us for an exciting 1-hour session on how to start and operate an Indigenous business that fills a market need and contributes to your local economy! Indigenous people are the original entrepreneurs of Canada and are starting businesses 9X faster than non-Indigenous Canadians. The Indigenous economy is expected to reach $100 B by 2025 which means many opportunities exist for Indigenous companies to capture a share of this rapidly growing market. There are various resources available to assist Indigenous people with launching and growing their own businesses. It’s never been a better time to become an Indigenous entrepreneur.
Take-aways:
- Product or service development
- Pricing strategies
- Validating the business model
- Conducting market research
- Identifying the target market
- Marketing and promotion
- Business planning
- Sole proprietorship or Incorporation
- Registering for a business number
- Applying for GST number (if selling off reserve)
- Tax situation for Indigenous businesses
- Operational requirements
- Financing options
- Resources for Indigenous companies
Participants will gain a high-level view of the steps to start, operate and grow an Indigenous-owned business in Canada. This will be an interactive session so come prepared to work on your business idea!
Speaker: Loa Fridfinnson
Loa Fridfinnson
Loa has 20+ years of entrepreneurial, marketing, technology and sales expertise through her marketing agency Activ8, consulting for emerging private and public companies (Indigenous and non), and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. She also works with progressive Indigenous communities in B.C. passing along marketing, digital media and sales knowledge to Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to startand grow companies that they are passionate about.
Loa created a 15-course business training program that gives Indigenous adults and youth the professional and personal development tools and skills needed to succeed in today's digital economy. Many of her participants are operating thriving businesses who have been recognized for their achievements at B.C.’s Indigenous Business Awards in Vancouver. Read more about Loa on LinkedIn.
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April 6, 2022
Webinar Title: Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Business:Description:
In this webinar you will hear from Rocio Zielinski of Stó:lō Community Futures to share about Community Futures BC and an overview of programs and services. George Casimir of Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations will then be sharing a presentation on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, Indigenous agriculture business challenges and local success stories.
Speakers: Rocio Zielinski, General Manager, Stó:lō Community Futures and George Casimir, General Manager, Community Futures of Central Interior First Nation (CFDC of CIFN)
Speakers: Rocio Zielinski, General Manager, Stó:lō Community Futures
Rocio is dedicated to leading the momentum of the rapidly expanding Indigenous economy in S’olh Téméxw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory, with her strong connections and relationships with Indigenous Communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Since joining Stó:lō Community Futures (SCF) in 2005, as Operations Manager and now in her role as General Manager since 2019, Rocio contributes to the social and economic well-being of S’ólh Téméxw, by supporting and advancing the development and expansion of the Indigenous business economy.
With the support of the SCF Board of Directors, Rocio has focused the activities of SCF on a grassroots foundation approach to building the business capacity of Indigenous Communities, businesses, and Community Members, by linking new and/or existing Indigenous businesses with business counselling, training, financing supports and ongoing aftercare. Rocio and her Team also provide Indigenous community development corporations with the financing and support services to proactively expand economic development projects and Community-owned businesses.
Rocio, whose Indigenous background is from Mexico, has successfully held many diverse roles, including Chair of the former Aboriginal Business Services Network, a Provincial Board of Directors; played a key role in SCF’s development and launch of the unique and powerful Brand initiative, STÓ:LŌ MEANS BUSINESSTM, created by SCF in 2014, which was shared on the provincial and national stages. Rocio played key roles in SCF’s 2015 Community Futures of British Columbia Award for Excellence and Innovation as well as the 2016 Community Futures Investment Fund Portfolio Award. With her leadership, SCF was recognized by the Indigenomics Institute Inc.’s 2020 Indigenomics 10 to Watch List, for organizations that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, leadership and committed action towards the growth of the Indigenous economy on a provincial and national level, with organizations such as NACCA, NRT and CANDO. Rocio is also a new Board Member of the BC Economic Development Association Board of Directors.George Casimir, General Manager, Community Futures of Central Interior First Nation (CFDC of CIFN)
George Casimir is a member of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation and is the General Manager of Community Futures of Central Interior First Nation (CFDC of CIFN). George’s educational background includes business, horticulture, project management and most recently a certificate from Harvard.
As a member of his community George proudly served 4 terms on Chief and Council; when not on Council he managed and supervised many areas including Housing, Education and Special Projects. Co-writing and developing the first retail Band owned and operated business as well as re-branding to what is now known as Petro Canada is one of many projects he has worked on for his community.
Entrepreneurship has always been of special interest to him as he owned a number of successful businesses including landscaping, transportation, consulting and currently farming. Being a long-term Board member for All Nations Trust Company and past president has also allowed George to support aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs for many years.
As the general manager for CFDC of CIFN George has developed partnerships within the province with Indigenous and non-indigenous organizations, George represents the organization on Provincial committees and takes part in many regional and local events.
George states that he is very proud of his humble beginnings being one of the first 12 participants in the CIFN self-employment program in the early 90’s: “From this program I have learned a lot and found the inspiration to help individuals, organizations and communities in their economic journeys”.
The mandate of CFDC of CIFN is developmental lending and self-employment training; CFDC of CIFN specializes in loan portfolios for youth, women, peoples with disabilities, agriculture and our general loan fund. George says it is a pleasure to work with a great Board of Directors as well as his CIFN staff to implement and promote the services that we have and to provide opportunities for our Indigenous Peoples.
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March 30, 2022
Webinar Title: Fundamentals of Grant Writing
Are you new at writing grants for your organization?
If so, the Fundamentals of Grant Writing session will cover:
• Finding the right grant
• What funding sources will be asking you
• Tools used for grant writing
• Writing your grant story to get a “yes”
CANDO invites you to attend Fundamentals of Grant Writing, facilitated by Teresa Wouters. Teresa is an experienced grant writer who has written successful grants for various areas of government, non-profits, and arts.
Speaker: Teresa Wouters
Teresa Wouters
Teresa Wouters is an Indigenous knowledge keeper with an ancestral background of both Kainai and Cree nations. Her career has included executive assistant at the Alberta Friendship Centre Association where she was implemental in organizing the first annual Youth and Elders Gathering. As well, Teresa has lived and taught in Indigenous communities as far south as Tsuut’ina and as far north as Fox Lake. As well as teaching courses for Grande Prairie Regional College in the Humanities and Business departments, Teresa has facilitated entrepreneur and Youth: Connect programs in partnership with Alberta Child and Family Services, Alberta Education, Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development and the FSJ Aboriginal Business Center. Including owning her own business, Teresa is an award-winning author.
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March 23, 2022
Webinar Title: The Rise of the Microbusiness: When Bigger is Not Better
Description: Indigenous Entrepreneurship is on the rise and with good reason. It is an excellent career choice and for many, being an Indigenous business owner provides the benefits of financial security, independence and flexibility on a personal level. On a larger scale, Indigenous owned businesses are not only revitalizing the Indigenous economy, they are also bolstering millions of dollars into the Canadian economy. Indigpreneurs are paving industrious paths towards economic reconciliation while maintaining Indigenous values and culture. These Indigpreneurs can take the business format of incorporated entities, cooperatives, partnerships but many start their entrepreneurial journeys as sole proprietors, providing products and services into the economy based on their own capacity to scale production.
In this knowledge sharing session, the Founder of Scout Financial Solutions shares vital first hand and industry studied knowledge on the significance of the Microbusiness model as a viable option for emerging Indigpreneurs. This entrepreneur topic is important because sometimes great things start out small and bigger may not always be the best option for many starting their ownership path to economic vitality. This session will speak to the concept of the Microbusiness movement and include thriving microbusiness examples. To support Microbusinesses, attendees will be introduced to the Business Model Canvas as an expedient alternative to the more detailed and complex (and often more intimidating) Business Plan. To further support the Microbusiness owners and those working towards Microbusiness launch, additional Resources and ‘Biz Wiz’ Tips will be shared from first hand ownerships and industry studied content. This session will wrap up with a plenary to share further knowledge around the table in support of Indigenous Entrepreneurship. We look forward to seeing you at our table!
Speaker: Cate Morris - Scout Financial
Speaker: Cate Morris
Cate Morris is a Dakota Winyan and registered band member of the George Gordon First Nation located in Treaty Four territory. She resides in Regina, Saskatchewan where she is an active community member, staunch Financial Literacy Advocate and passionate Entrepreneur. Cate is the Founder of Scout Financial Solutions – an Indigenous owned and operated Financial Literacy Education and Consulting business that provides Personal Finance Life Skills. Vital Financial Wellness content is shared through culturally appreciative, engaging and memorable group workshops and individual consultations. And although her business primarily focuses on knowledge sharing in the Indigenous community, the information provided is relatable to all who seek financial peace and abundance.
Cate’s business is marketed as a Money Scout, in honour of Indigenous Scouts who mapped new territories and ensured the safety of their nations. In much the same way, Cate provides experienced insight and knowledge about the vast and unknown territory of Personal Finances, as well as Entrepreneurship. Armed with relatable lived experiences and backed by extensive formal education, this Indigenous “Money Scout” walks her talk. Cate holds a Business Administration degree, two Financial Educator certifications as well as numerous professional and personal development certificates that include economic development, entrepreneurship, public service, procurement, acquisitions and of course, personal finance! Cate and Scout’s goals are many but on the forefront are world peace and ending cyclical poverty in the Indigenous community one inspiring sharing at a time. Find and follow Scout Financial Solutions at www.moneyscout.ca, on Facebook at Scout Financial Solutions or on Twitter at #MoneyScout4U.
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March 9, 2022
Webinar Title: Introduction to CleanBC’s Roadmap to 2030
Webinar Description: The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 team will provide a summary of the provincial climate plan including an update on implementation. Current engagement focus is on the provincial carbon pricing review, exploring Indigenous capacity and expertise to develop the circular economy, and to discuss the types of Indigenous engagement that are most effective.
Agenda:
- Introductions
- Presentation on CleanBC’s Roadmap to 2030
- Q&A
CleanBC’s Roadmap to 2030 Background: The province is taking the next big step on our CleanBC plan and introducing new measures, so that we can meet our emissions reduction targets for 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 is the Province’s plan to achieve 100% of our 2030 emissions target while building a cleaner economy that benefits everyone. It includes a range of accelerated and expanded actions across eight pathways.
- Low Carbon Energy
- Transportation
- Buildings
- Communities
- Industry, including Oil and Gas
- Forest Bioeconomy
- Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
- Negative Emissions Technologies
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March 2, 2022
Webinar Title: A Conversation on Tourism & Marketing with The Owl’s Path
Webinar Description:
In this webinar you will hear the owners of The Owl’s Path Tourism discuss their journey to success in tourism and marketing. Joel and Mary will describe the obstacles of having to pivot during the pandemic, what inspired them to get into the tourism sector, how to use social media to build client relationships, and how they support entrepreneurs. Speakers: Joel Marriott & Mary Mason
Joel Marriott & Mary Mason
Joel Marriott and Mary Mason, are life and business partners who founded The Owls Path Tourism, based out of the unceeded territory of the NuuChahNulth speaking peoples, on Vancouver Island. Joel is a 60s scoop survivor from White Bear First Nation, from Treaty 6 & Treaty 4 territory. He was raised in an entrepreneurial family in BC, and is skillful in business management and technology. Joel used his skills to create the websites for their company, and has created websites for others as well. One of his personal talents is the ability to connect dots and tie unique opportunities together. Mary is Canadian born with Indigenous roots from the Republic of the Marshall Islands. She is highly experienced in hospitality & customer service management, and enjoys being creative whether it's in photography, graphic design, or writing. Their combined experiences compliment each other in the work they do.
"Connecting with nature & having a creative outlet has always been very nurturing, especially when going through difficult times, coping with head injuries & mental health, as well as overcoming addictions." Through stories of resilience, this couple hopes to enlighten a path forward for others who share similar hardships in life.
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February 23, 2022
Webinar Title: Leveraging Third-Party Solutions to Grow Your Business
Webinar Description: With a staggering 75% jump in demand for ecommerce in 2020, the pandemic has only aggravated existing capacity issues and systemic barriers for Indigenous entrepreneurs, specifically for women.
Many entrepreneurs have been forced to reject large purchase orders from major retailers such as Nordstrom and Winners due to manufacturing and fulfillment capacity constraints. This lost opportunity means a loss of thousands, if not millions, of dollars that could have been injected back into the Indigenous economy, and a lost opportunity for these brands to grow.
Many entrepreneurs become overwhelmed trying to juggle the production of their own products with other business tasks such as marketing, customer service, and administration. Additionally, many early-stage entrepreneurs are not aware of third-party service providers who can assist with both the manufacturing (making) of your own products and/or the storing and shipping of your products once customers make a purchase on your website. This presentation will walk you through what some of those manufacturing and fulfillment models look like and how outsourcing some of these labour intense activities can free you up to focus on growing your business and finding time for other priorities in life.
Speaker: Nicole McLaren
Nicole McLaren, BA., BSc.
Founder/CEO, Raven Reads
Nicole McLaren is a multi-award-winning Métis entrepreneur from British Columbia and
Saskatchewan. Her extensive knowledge of industry supply chains and economic development coupled with a passion for supporting fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs allowed her to transform a small book club into Raven Reads, the world’s first Indigenous subscription box.
Through her hard work and ambition, Raven Reads has grown exponentially, with thousands of subscribers across Canada, the US, and Europe. Once a sole proprietor, curating and packaging boxes in her garage, Nicole now manages an elite team and operations out of their Kamloops warehouse and distribution centre.
Nicole is the recipient of Startup Canada’s National Indigenous Business of the Year (2018) and the BC Achievement Foundation’s Indigenous Business of the Year (2020). She was also a finalist in the Small Business BC’s Premier’s People’s Award (2021) and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Business Resilience Regional Export Plan of the Year (2020).
Through the incredible success of Raven Reads, Nicole has invested over $400,000 back into the Indigenous economy, and donated over $2,000 to literacy programs for Indigenous children and youth. She is the Founder and Chair of the Indigenous Women’s Business Network, an organization that she created to provide coaching and mentoring to other Indigenous women business owners.
Nicole holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, and will complete her Masters of Business Administration in 2023 from the University of Illinois’ Gies School of Business. She currently resides in Logan Lake, BC with her husband and two young children.
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February 9, 2022
Webinar Title: EDO Panel
Webinar Description: Join EDOs from across BC to discuss their roles as Economic Development Officers and hear about their community initiatives.The panel will offer exposure to diverse perspectives and showcase various approaches in Indigenous economic development.
Speakers:
Cynthia Rayner
Cynthia is certified as a Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer (PAED) through CANDO. She has over 20 years’ experience working for First Nations as Executive Director, Administrator, Health Director, and Education Manager and has taken the position of EDO/Director of Economic Development for the past 6 years.
Cynthia has completed a Degree in Business, MBA, and is working on her Doctorate in Business with a focus on ‘sustainable economic development on First Nations lands’. She owns First Nations Management Consulting that specializes in business, marketing, and operational plans, organizational restructuring, and business startup.
Cynthia is from the Nuu-cha-nulth, Gitxsan, and Kwakiutl Nations.
Kirk Dressler, BA LLB
Born and raised in British Columbia, Kirk is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia with degrees in Political Science and Law. A Practising member of the BC Bar, Kirk has spent the last 20 years working exclusively in the field of First Nations governance, policy, and economic development. From 2000 to 2009, Kirk was employed by Westbank First Nation (WFN), where he last served as Council Secretariat and General Legal Counsel.
Since 2009, Kirk has been employed by the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN), and currently serves as Director of Legal and Corporate Services. Kirk provides oversight for the Lands, Title and Rights and Economic Development Departments and acts as Chief Executive Officer of Sugar Cane Development Corporation, WLFN’s AEDC. Kirk has overseen WLFN’s transition to sectoral self government under the First Nations Land Management Act, which commenced with the adoption of a WLFN Land Code in 2014. Kirk has negotiated numerous major agreements with mining, forestry, utilities, and other companies, and on behalf of WLFN spearheaded the development of BC’s first government-to-government agreement under section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act. Kirk is a Director and CEO of WLFN’s two cannabis entities, Sugar Cane Cannabis and Unity Cannabis, as well as WLFN real estate development entity, Coyote Rock LP.
Kirk also teaches and maintains a legal practice and serves as a Director and Treasurer of the Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association.
Kirk lives in Williams Lake with his wife, Kim, and their two children Caris and Finley.
Brad Mercer
Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society Economic Development Officer (new ced department started in August 2021)
• Created economic arm “Ts’amiks Development Corporation LP”, Ts’amiks Housing Society, Ts’amiks Foundation Group, Formed the World Indigenous Youth Basketball Games, and created Nisga’a Ts’amiks small businesses group with urban partnerships since Aug 2021
• 27 years in construction industry as a certified heavy equipment operator: camp-based environment (mining, hydro, forestry, oil & gas, highways, LNG)
• In business since 2000, owned small businesses (forestry and Tourism. Still holds an active business consulting group)
Education: UBC Sauders Business & Simon Fraser University Economic Development
Previous Manager for Nisga’a Government Corporation (Nisga’a Commercial Group of Companies) Lisims Backcountry Adventures
From the Nisga’a Villages of Gitlaxt’aamiks & Gitwinksihlkw. Lived in Burnaby for 10 years
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February 2, 2022
Webinar Title: What is the BCICEI?
The BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative team gives a summary of their program including eligibility, funding, and project highlights. There will be a short film presented on one successful project and time set aside for questions and comments.
Agenda:
- Introductions
- Short presentation on BCICEI
- Film - Link to film: https://youtu.be/hRgXpfaAbgU
- Q &A
BCICEI Description
Established in 2016, the British Columbia Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) has supported 68 clean energy projects in 55 First Nation communities across the province. The BCICEI supports projects from the Feasibility Stage, where feasibility studies, site selection, environmental permitting, project design, and engineering costs are eligible, all the way up to the Pre-Construction and Pre-Commercial operation date stage of projects. BCICEI also supports community Demand Side Management projects such as heat pump installations or energy retrofits, and small-scale clean energy installations such as community building solar panels.
BCICEI was launched in 2016 as a collaboration between Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCAN) (previously Western Economic Diversification Canada) and the New Relationship Trust (NRT) with $4.2M in funding through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI) (Phase I of funding). In August 2019, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and NRT announced a further $9.5M in renewed funding to support the BCICEI for another three years.
Cole Sayers – Director of Clean Energy Initiatives
Cole Sayers, Director of Clean Energy Initiatives, is from the Hupacasath Nation. He has been leading the successful program delivery of the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative since 2017. He is an advocate of Indigenous-led service delivery and collaborative models of governance to achieve common objectives. He draws on his background in political science and Indigenous knowledge to support First Nations in the renewable energy sector. He has experience evaluating the viability and benefits of proposed clean energy projects and is familiar with project financing in First Nations communities, including the early-stage development costs. Relationship building grounds his work. He is an effective liaison between governments, First Nations, crown corporation/utilities, and industry stakeholders, and he is committed to working with these groups to achieve effective program delivery specifically, and support sustainable, economic growth more generally. He is a strong advocate for First Nations involvement in the renewable energy, and he is committed to displacing diesel generation with renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures in remote communities.
Selina Beltran – Associate Program Specialist
Selina Beltran is from Tsleil-Waututh Nation and works on the BCICEI team. Selina graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Humanities with a major in Gender Studies. Selina has been working with BCICEI since January 2020 and focuses on supporting the BCICEI Director in program implementation and administration. Selina does the clerical services for the project files and programming in addition to data management, communications, and creating marketing materials. Selina is also on the board of directors for two small organizations, the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) and the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC). CREAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to community-based research, education, and advocacy. SNIWWOC is a non-profit organization that focuses on reproductive justice and the empowerment of women in Victoria and Vancouver.
Sarah Powell - Associate Programs Delivery and Support
Sarah Powell is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and joined NRT in 2020. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a Social Science Degree, major in Geography, Minor in Indigenous Studies. Sarah works with BCICEI at the Associate level as a Program Analyst where she assists the Director in program implementation and administration. During the intake process, Sarah assists in the due diligence process where applications are assessed for viability. Outside of program intakes, Sarah assists in data management, communication with Nations, and Program reporting. Previously, Sarah worked within NRT’s education initiatives and corporate services. Sarah also participates in NRT and BCICEI outreach activities with external organizations.
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January 26, 2022
This session has been cancelled
Webinar Title: Opportunities in Aquaculture for Indigenous People
Webinar Description: In this webinar, we will discuss opportunities for Indigenous people in the aquaculture sector as shown during the implementation of funding programs that support the development of the sector. We will talk briefly on the development of the sector in all regions of Canada and identify the opportunities with the highest potential of success.
NOTE: This session has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future date.
Speaker: Fernando Salazar
After graduating from the Marine Biology program at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, BCS, Mexico, Fernando was a jack of all trades: he worked in studies of reproductive biology and population abundance of commercially fished sharks and rays, as a natural resources park ranger in Cabo Pulmo marine park, a technician and business developer of a pearl culture project, ran his own recycled plastics commercialization business, and provided consultancy services to aquaculture and environmental management initiatives.
In 2006 Fernando completed a Masters in Aquaculture from the University of Guelph after immigrating to Canada four years prior. His work at the university focused on the environmental management side of trout aquaculture, especially in matters related to tracking organic effluents using stable isotopes. Fernando worked in Atlantic Canada for 8 years in the Aquaculture sector along with First Nation communities before moving to BC in 2018 to accept a position as an Aquaculture Business Development Advisor. In 2020, Fernado’s role shifted into the Business Development Team Lead with Skeena Fisheries Commission, a position he still holds today.
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January 19, 2022
Webinar Title: Innovative Industry highlighting Iskwew Air
Webinar Description: Join us in conversation with Teara Fraser of Iskwew Air – the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline in Canada. Hear Teara’s inspiring story, how Iskwew Air came to be, and how Iskwew Air is a bridge between traditional air transportation and the sustainable technology of the future.
Speaker: Teara Fraser
Speaker: Teara Fraser
Lead Executive, Iskwew Air
Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this young Métis woman wings. Teara is the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline in Canada – Iskwew Air. Iskwew Air is the bridge between traditional air transportation and the sustainable technology of the future. She believes that together in this innovative space we will reimagine, rematriate, and rebuild our air transportation system - centering equity, resilience, and sustainability.
Teara serves as a BC Executive Committee member of CAAM, the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility consortium, where Iskwew Air is a proud founding member.
Teara has been actively engaged in the British Columbia Aviation Council for over a decade and is a Board Director for Unmanned Systems Canada and the Indigenous LIFT Collective.
Teara holds a Master of Arts in Leadership degree from Royal Roads University. The journey of learning now takes her back to Royal Roads as Associate Faculty and to Fielding University where she is studying in the Human Development Ph.D. program.
Teara has been named WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, Top 25 Women of Influence, YWCA Woman of Distinction, and one of 18 ‘real-world heroes’ in the DC Comics Wonder Woman anthology. In 2021, she ranked 44 on Maclean’s Power List. Photo: Josh Neufeld
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Suggest a webinar topic or recommend a presenter
or for more information, please contact:
Danielle Lightning
Email: danielle.lightning@edo.ca
OR
Elsie Moar
Email: elsie.moar@edo.ca
