Tuesday L2L Sessions
January 2021 to March 2023
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This initiative generously sponsored by:
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Past Webinars:
March 28, 2023
Title: Archaeological Practice in Ontario: Your history, under your care and control
Your archaeological history is a non-renewable resource that belongs to your community; join SVS Archaeologist Cristina McCoy as she discusses how Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Archaeology in Ontario needs to change to support Indigenous self determination– and how that change can be accomplished.
Speaker: Cristina McCoy
Cristina McCoy is an Archaeologist and Regulatory Specialist who works closely with SVS clients to effectively navigate systems, allowing Nations to achieve the goals that matter to them. Her focus is on ensuring that the clients she works with have early-stage engagement and active participation throughout development projects happening on their land.
Cristina was first inspired to work alongside Indigenous communities in 2016 after she was given the opportunity to work on the archaeological Inuvialuit site of Kuukpak as part of Dr. Max Friesen’s Arctic CHAR (Arctic Cultural Heritage at Risk) Project in the Northwest Territories. It was there that she was able to witness firsthand the intimate and deeply personal connection Indigenous communities have to the environment and to their lands, waters, and histories.
Cristina holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and History from the University of Toronto. Cristina will complete her Master of Science from the University of Toronto in 2023, where her research is focused on cultural value determinations, heritage legislation, land development laws, and the intersections of cultural resource management ethics with reconciliation efforts and Indigenous Rights activism. Cristina is also an academically and professionally trained zooarchaeologist and faunal analyst.
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March 21, 2023
Title: Innovation Canada 101: Find the right programs and services for your business
Webinar description:
Did you know…
- there are hundreds of government programs and services to help support Canadian businesses
- that incorporated businesses who are innovating and ready to scale may be able to work with an Innovation Advisor in their area to get advice and help finding right-for-them government programs and services
- that there are Innovation Advisors dedicated to working with Indigenous-led businesses in Canada
- that Innovation Canada has a suite of programs and services to support businesses innovate and grow
Join representatives from Innovation Canada on March 21 for an informative session that will include:
- a live demonstration of the Business Benefits Finder, an interactive tool designed to help businesses find the right government support for their business, by answering a few key questions
- insights from experienced Innovation Advisors who are focused one working with business led by First Nation, Métis, and Inuit entrepreneurs across Canada
- a question and answer session for all participants and panelists
Presenters: Léona Fauvel, Richard Tuck, and Philippe Sioui Durand
Presenter Bios:
Léona Fauvel, Service Strategist, Marketing and Outreach Innovation Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Léona Fauvel is a service strategist with Innovation Canada where she focuses on working for – and with - Canadian businesses through the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. By raising awareness about how to access the right government programs and services for their current and future needs, she aims to help Canadian businesses start, succeed and grow. Léona will be joining us from Gatineau, Québec on the traditional territory of Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Richard Tuck, Senior Innovation Advisor (Prairies – Winnipeg) Innovation Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
After launching a successful start-up in 2013, Richard, a member of the Red River Metis Nation, shifted his focus to helping other entrepreneurs realize the same success. Today he is an experienced mentor with a special interest in advancing Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada. Before joining Innovation Canada, Richard was the CEO of Wakopa Financial, an Indigenous-led firm that provides mentoring and financial services to atypical and marginalized entrepreneurs who are innovating, disrupting, and creating change in our communities. He has also worked closely with the Indigenous Entrepreneurship programs at Red River College and Carleton University helping dozens of Indigenous innovators access the support they need to build and sustain their businesses.
With over two decades of experience spanning multiple sectors, Richard has the knowledge and natural business instincts to help you optimize government supports and scale your start-up.
Philippe Sioui Durand, Innovation Advisor (Québec) Innovation Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
As an entrepreneur himself, Phillippe launched a production company with a mission to increase knowledge and access to integrated services in Indigenous communities throughout Quebec. His drive to provide tools for diverse creators to share their culture and traditions led him to often collaborate with Quebec’s First Nations Regional Commissions and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador. From his experience and education, Phillippe has developed a deep understanding of Indigenous communities and how to effectively use media to build awareness and foster connections.
As a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Philippe is eager to use his experience to help Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country access the tools they need to scale their businesses.
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March 14, 2023
Title: Economic Development Strategic Planning
This webinar highlights the importance of strategic planning for economic development in a First Nation context. The information provided is presented for the benefit of economic development officers, economic development directors, or elected First Nation leadership focusing on economic development. Regardless of the size, resources, location, opportunities, and threats facing a First Nation, strategic planning can facilitate the greatest possible impact for your First Nation. The webinar will provide an overview of a model for strategic planning and provide a template that can be used for recording and executing the strategic priorities.
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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March 7, 2023
Title: Sustainable Forestry Initiative: Growing Opportunity Through Forest-Focused Collaboration
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) recognizes that Indigenous communities are best positioned to create the innovative forest-focused solutions that address their needs and priorities of today while also building the lasting capacity to achieve their many aspirations long into the future. Join Paul as he shares information about SFI’s growing suite of flexible forest-focused programs, services and investments that are already being used in 180+ Indigenous communities and businesses to deepen their forest-focused relationships and advance their nations’ self-determined priorities.
Speaker: Paul Robitaille, Sr. Advisor, Indigenous Relations at Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Paul Robitaille has a wealth of experience advancing Indigenous rights recognition, relationship building and socioeconomic development within sustainable forest management. For more than four years, he has led key aspects Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Indigenous Relations policy and program development, including those related to advancing third-party forest certification for Indigenous communities, Indigenous youth-focused training and workforce development, and collaborative multi-partner forest-based initiatives that centre the rights and priorities of Indigenous Peoples. Paul holds a Master of Science in Forestry from Lakehead University and a Forest Technician Diploma from Confederation College.
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February 28, 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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February 21, 2023
Title: Indigenous Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Many of the Indigenous businesses in Alberta, whether community-owned or owned by individual entrepreneurs operate within an unpredictable and challenging environment in which they aspire to succeed, whether due to limited access to capital, equity, role models, mentoring, selling to governments or other factors. The development of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Alberta can be considered in the context of an entrepreneur ecosystem (modelled after “Domains of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem” Daniel Isenberg, 2011). Considering the domains or pods that comprise the ecosystem allows stakeholders to identify their place and role in the development of Indigenous entrepreneurs, while at the same time illustrating how the ecosystem can be improved and enhanced, and how the model can be customized and applied to their own space.
Speakers: Rocky Sinclair and Terry Coyes
Rocky Sinclair, First Nations Social Enterprise Foundation
Rocky Sinclair is Cree, originally from the northern Alberta community of Lesser Slave Lake. Rocky is the CEO of the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, a First Nation-owned investment company providing commercial developmental lending services for First Nation people in the province of Alberta. AIIC operates within a social enterprise model which includes investments in the hospitality industry as well as a management consulting firm. He Rocky holds an ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He and also currently serves as President of Aksis – Edmonton’s Indigenous Business and Professional Association.
Terry Coyes, First Nations Social Enterprise Foundation
Terry Coyes is Métis, from St. Albert, Alberta. Proudly serving the Indigenous business community since 1997, Terry leads Winfire Business Services Ltd. as the Principal Consultant. Terry is an evaluative & creative thinker, whose strong deportment and presentation skills allow him to effectively respond to and work with his clients to serve their business development needs. Drawing on a solid foundation of business knowledge, strategic planning and economic development concepts & practices and an invaluable network of contacts that has been created over 30+ years of experience, Terry works with clients to assist them to achieve their business development objectives.
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February 14, 2023
Title: Tend to Your Wheel: A Webinar on Wellness
In our constantly busy world, both professionally & personally, it is in our AND our workplace's best interest to make our health & wellness a priority!
Join Michelle Nieviadomy from Iskwew Health for an inspiring and engaging wellness session as she promotes wellness Indigenously!
Using the aspects of the medicine wheel (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual) she will remind you to tend to your own wheel!
Speaker: Michelle Nieviadomy
Michelle Nieviadomy is Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) with a passion for wellness, social justice & community development.
She is a member of Kawacatoose First Nation and while her roots are in Saskatchewan, she has called Edmonton home for the past 20 years.
She is the Assistant Director at the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.
She is an entrepreneur with her own business called Iskwew Health promoting health & wellness in various capacities! (Zumba, meditation, bootcamp, fitness kickboxing, wellness retreats) She believes movement is medicine & connection is everything!
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February 7, 2023
Title: A Conversation on Post-Covid Tourism
Description: Join Randy Garfield, former President of Walt Disney Travel Company and the Executive VP of Worldwide Sales and Travel Operations for Disney’s global travel portfolio in conversation with Shae Bird, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, as they share their thoughts on what the tourism sector in Canada can expect post-COVID. There will also be opportunity for the audience to share any questions they may have.
Speakers: Randy Garfield and Shae Bird
Shae Bird
Shae Bird is the Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, responsible for the
development and growth of Alberta’s Indigenous tourism industry.
As the CEO, Shae has been responsible for steering ITA through one of the most difficult times in tourism history. Through his leadership, ITA has created the Indigenous Tourism Alberta Strategy 2020-2024 to drive its business, while growing ITA’s members to more than 180.
Additionally, Shae has secured necessary funding grants to stabilize Indigenous businesses during COVID-19, including the Stimulus Relief Fund which provided relief to more than 80 businesses alongside Provincial and National partners.
With education through the Masters in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University and corporate experience that covers strategic planning, organizational renewal, operations management, government relations and capital project oversight, Shae is now proud to call Treaty 6 & Metis Region 4, Edmonton, Alberta, home. Shae has quickly become recognized and respected as a leader in Indigenous tourism across Alberta and Canada with interview requests, speaking roles and involvement in multiple economic recovery task forces across Alberta.
Randy Garfield:
An accomplished and celebrated business leader with extensive experience in marketing, sales, strategic planning and leadership development, Randy served as President of Walt Disney Travel Company and EVP of Worldwide Sales and Travel Operations for Disney Destinations for over 20 years. He played a significant role in the largest period of expansion in the history of the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts segment—which grew from $4.5B to $15.1B during his tenure.—and helped create and lead a host of new business ventures for Disney, including the launch and subsequent fleet expansions of Disney Cruise Line, the opening of six new theme parks and 27 new resort hotels, and the development of new international resort destinations in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Randy also led The Disney Institute, which provides training and management consulting services to businesses around the globe.
Before joining Disney, Randy spent almost eight years with Universal Studios where he served as Vice President of Sales at Universal Studios Hollywood before being promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing for Universal Studios Florida—which he helped to successfully launch and then expand to a destination resort. Previous positions include Regional Vice President of Sales for Royal Viking cruise line and a variety of operations, sales, and marketing roles within TWA.
Randy has deep insight into the powerful changes sweeping the global economy and has helped numerous organizations outside of the travel and tourism sector adapt and transform the way they operate within a changing environment. Consulting engagements have ranged from working with the healthcare industry to reinvent its approach to patient service, helping automotive manufacturers transform their sales and service process, and assisting the National Football League with customer service at multiple Super Bowls.
In recognition of his numerous accomplishments, Randy was inducted into the US Travel Industry Hall of Leaders in 2013, sharing the honor with such notable past inductees as Walt Disney, Isadore Sharp (the founder of Four Seasons Hotels) and Bill Marriott.
Randy currently serves on the Board of Directors for Destination Canada, the U.S. Travel Association, Ardent Leisure, and Rocky Mountaineer—where he chairs the Corporate Governance, Strategy, and Nominating Committee for the world’s largest privately held luxury railroad.
Randy attended UCLA where he studied political science and pre-law. He and his wife Ann divide their time between homes in Central Florida and Stratford Ontario.
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January 31st 2023
Title: Lands & Consultation Department Success Stories
Description: 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 and community development. In this webinar, Derek Archibald, Deputy Chief of Taykwa Tagamou Cree Nation, along with Scott Mackay, Founder, Senior Consultant of Shared Value Solutions Ltd., will present on the challenges and successes of running an effective lands and consultation department. They will share real, on the ground examples about how to set up systems to effectively manage the influx of referrals, and participate meaningfully in regulatory and development processes, while furthering your Nation’s strategic goals on lands and economic development.
Speakers: Scott Mackay and Derek Archibald
Scott MacKay 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
Derek Archibald is Cree of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, located in Northeastern Ontario. He proudly serves as the youngest elected Deputy Chief in the First Nation’s history, following one-term as a Council member.
With an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and experience in both the finance and economic development sectors, as well as involvement as a Director on corporate boards, Deputy Chief Archibald brings a wealth of experience to his community’s own-source revenue endeavors. Most prominently, he is known for leading the acquisition of both Bussiere’s Quality Meats and North Rock Construction into the First Nation’s portfolio, while also refinancing the once troublesome Northland and Kisis Aki Cochrane Solar Farms into the revenue generating renewable energy assets the community knows them as today.
As the Economic Development Officer for the community, Deputy Chief Archibald knows that true economic prosperity is reached through the creation of own-source revenue, but never at the cost of Taykwa Tagamou Nation’s Traditional Territory for now, and for future generations. With the youth of his community at the forefront of his decision making, he is passionate about utilizing their own-source revenue to provide enhanced programming, housing and infrastructure for this growing demographic.
With these youth in mind, when he is not building the community’s economic development portfolios, you will find him coaching the Cochrane Crunch Jr. A and Bantam Blues Rep hockey teams.
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January 24th 2023
Title: Our Indigenous Co-operative Journey – The Story of Many Nations
Co-operative Ltd.
Description: In this webinar Tom Hodgson, Many Nations Financial’s Vice President of Business Development, will outline the journey of this community-based Indigenous co-operative. Hodgson will discuss why Many Nations – which has designed specialized group insurance and group retirement products and services for Indigenous organizations – chose the co-op structure. He’ll cover how the co-op brings value to its members, and what Indigenous organizations could achieve by working together using the co-op structure.
This session in collaboration with Co-operatives First's Your Way, Together
Speaker: Tom Hodgson, Vice President of Business Development
Tom Hodgson is Vice-President of Business Development for Many Nations Financial Services Ltd. Over the past 20 years, he has held a number of executive positions within the Insurance and Financial Services industry and attributes his success to a passion for learning and integrating details into a vision of success. As Vice-President, Tom brought his desire for learning and integrating new ideas to the co-operative business model at Many Nations. He led the team at Many Nations in developing and relaunching the company’s brand, introduced new products, and is developing a new distribution model.Tom holds two Bachelor’s degree certificates, the first being a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Manitoba in 1995. subsequently, after his first degree, Tom decided to pursue a career in business and immediately re-enrolled at the Asper School of Business through the University of Manitoba, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 1998.With a primary focus on growing Many Nations Indigenous-owned co-operative business model across Canada, Tom has decided to pursue his passion for learning and integrating new ideas back into the organization’s growth model further, by applying and being accepted into the Master of Management program for co-operatives and credit unions at the Sobey School of Business.Born and raised in Winnipeg, Tom is a father of three children and enjoys a lifestyle focused on wellness, fitness, personal growth, and lifelong learning.
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January 17th 2023
Title: How to Project Your Finances for Funding
Description: Although typically the last section of building a business plan, the ‘Financial Plan & Projections’ section is one of the most important analyses within the plan that helps define your business’ financial situation to potential funders & ultimately, help YOU understand where you are & where you are headed.
This section outlines any business financial information that you can estimate/know to start/run your business. This includes current and expected sales generated & costs forecasted in the next 3-5 years. You want to know how your business is growing & whether it can sustain itself in the long run.
Within the ‘How to Project Your Finances for Funding’ links to learning presentation, you will learn how to understand and prepare a financial plan & how to forecast/project where you see your business going in the future!
Speaker: Laura Englehart
Laura Englehart is a Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation with a background in mainly accounting roles, banking, and economic development, after graduating from the University of New Brunswick Fredericton in 2017 with concentrations in both accounting and human resources management. She is currently working as the Market Access Officer at the Joint Economic Development Initiative located in the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik people. Within her role at JEDI, she oversees the Incubator and Accelerator programs, assists in advisory services, and the planning and execution of various capacity building workshops with existing Indigenous entrepreneurs and business-owners in all industries.
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January 10th 2023
2:00PM PT / 3:00PM MT / 4:00PM CT / 5:00PM ET
Title: Clean Growth Hub 101: Government of Canada's focal point for clean technology
Description: The Government of Canada established the Clean Growth Hub in 2018 as whole-of-government focal point for clean technology. Seventeen federal departments and agencies are members of the Hub under the joint leadership of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). The core function of the Clean Growth Hub is to help companies and organizations navigate the federal system of programs and services that support clean tech innovation, commercialization, exportation and adoption. The Clean Growth Hub website and Clean Growth Hub newsletter are unrivalled sources for information on available federal programs and services. Clean technology applicants can request service from the Hub by filling out an online service request form.
Speaker: Mary Khounphet
Zoom Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfu6qpjspE9w4_9bhgHSswr8HXPZL9Y-r
Speaker: Mary Khounphet is a senior officer at the Clean Growth Hub, the Government of Canada’s one-stop shop for information on funding and services to help clean technology innovators and adopters navigate federal programs. Mary represents Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) which, along with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), is one of the co-chairs for the Clean Growth Hub. She is part of an interdepartmental team made up of representatives from 17 federal organizations, helping clean tech innovators and adopters connect with appropriate financial and non-financial federal support such as expertise on regulations, standards, government procurement, skills and training, domestic and international markets, intellectual property, and more.
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December 13th 2022
Title: Evidence-Based Decision Making in Indigenous Communities
Speaker: Grant Bruno
Grant Bruno is nehiyawak (Plains Cree) and a registered member of nipsihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation), one of the reserves that makes up maskwacis (Bear Hills), Alberta. He is a PhD in Medical Sciences - Pediatrics student at the University of Alberta. Grant Bruno is a father, two of his children are on the autism spectrum. His PhD research will explore redefining autism from a nehiyaw lens, gathering stories with families and individuals who have experiences with autism using a strength-based approach. Grant's research experience includes quantitative and qualitative methods, community based participatory research, as well as the use of decolonizing methodologies.
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December 6th 2022
Webinar Title: Digital Workplace
Description: One of the biggest impacts of COVID-19 on our work life has been remote work. The Labour Force Survey in Canada suggests that pre-pandemic only about 4% of employees worked from home. From April 2020 to June 2021 that number increased to 30%, with more employees and new hires demanding a remote or hybrid option as part of their contract.
Join us for a discussion on the new way of working - the digital workspace.
In this session Shani and Shawna-Kay will share the story of pipikwan pêhtâkwan and how the company has been navigating remote work for the past five years. Leave feeling equipped with the information that can inform your remote/hybrid work strategy and implementation, ideas for boosting teamwork, engagement, belonging and productivity.
Presenters: Shani Gwin & Shawna-Kay Thomas
Shani Gwin, Founder
Shani has over 12 years of professional communications experience working for government, private and not-for-profit organizations. She is a sixth-generation Métis. She's a member of the Cunningham Clan on her mother's side and a descendant of the Michel First Nation and Ferguson Clan on her father's side. Shani is a proud Métis woman with a passion for elevating Indigenous voices, projects and issues.
Shawna-Kay Thomas, Director of Corporate Communications and Culture
Shawna-Kay is a strategic and creative communications professional with over 12 years of experience in journalism and communications. As a communications professional she operates from a global perspective creating awareness and telling the stories of nonprofits, governments and government agencies/departments, and private sector companies.
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November 29th 2022
Webinar Title: VR Tourism and Attaining Clients
Description: Do you have tourism businesses within your community? Are you looking to attract investment in Tourism for assets that are undeveloped? Posters, traditional video, and word of mouth may not be enough to attract new clientele! Join Charmaine as she talks about the work, she has done with Indigenous Businesses to create 360-video based tours that allow users from anywhere in the world to take a peek into what your tourism operators and/or community have to offer! Curious? Join us to learn more.
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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November 22nd 2022
Webinar Title: Decolonizing HR Practices
Well-being, inclusion, validation and freedom are the protocols in Elaine Alec’s cultivating safe spaces framework. Guided by this Indigenous framework and nested system, we’ll discuss ways to increase these elements throughout HR practices to continue to push the limits of how we can decolonize the work we do together. Focusing on love-based practices to improve operations, strategy, professional development, engagement, relations, diversity & inclusion.
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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November 15th 2022
Webinar Title: Indigenous Inclusion and Closing the Gap
Description: Indigenous inclusion on industry projects has significantly increased across the board for most industries. There are multiple factors related to this increasing level of engagement and inclusion (e.g. government mandates, UNDRIP laws, broader reconciliation and Indigenous history knowledge, etc.) but many companies, clients and communities are struggling to keep up with the ever changing environment and demand. Greater collaboration leads to better outcomes but this takes time and effort. This presentation will go over the tools and strategies that will help you find and work with partners to seize the project opportunities that you have.
Speaker: Kear Porttris
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 8th, 2022
Webinar Title: Warrior Engineering – Changing the Landscape on Inclusion
Description: In this webinar, hear about Warrior Engineering Ltd., who they are, and the goal behind Warrior: to incorporate traditional knowledge and balance with Western Science, while also encouraging more Indigenous Participation in the technical field.
Speaker: Jason Thompson
Jason ThompsonA proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band, Jason Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Superior Strategies Inc. and Warrior Engineering Ltd teams. With over 20 years of business and management experience, Mr. Thompson has proven to be a skilled executive and visionary entrepreneur.
Jason sits as the President of both Superior Strategies Inc. as well as Warrior Engineering Ltd, both are majority Indigenous Owned and Operated Businesses, and have demonstrated continued growth year after year. The never setting and opportunistic traits are also evident in the recent launch of his very own Warrior Brand, which includes a variety of PPE, Work Wear and most recently Warrior Apparel.
Throughout his career Jason has always demonstrated strong leadership skills and has realized the importance of building and maintaining a successful team. Never settling, collaborative, out of the box thinker are a few adjectives that can be used to explain Jason. A proud father of three, who recently welcomed his second Grand Child, Jason and his wife high Tara (High School Sweethearts) are celebrating 26 Years of Marriage, ultimately linking his success to his strong family support.
Jason remains a very strong advocate for meaningful participation of Indigenous People and Businesses on a local and National level.
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November 1st, 2022
Webinar Title: Highlighting Individual Private Sector Business Economic Development - Walker Home Construction
Description: Join us as we highlight the Winner of the Cando Individual Private Sector Business Economic Development Award Winner, Walker Home Construction. This recipient was recognized at the Cando Conference for their commitment and dedication to increase the standards of living and prosperity in Indigenous communities. Yukon’s Les Walker will speak to his accomplishments and share his story of how he put his music career on hold to operate a successful residential and commercial construction business.
Speaker: Leslie Walker
Les Walker, the Owner and Founder of Walker Home Construction is a member of Champagne Aishihik First Nations. In addition to his work, Les is a passionate volunteer and believes in cultivating reciprocity in our communities.
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October 25th, 2022
Title: Weaving Two Worlds – Economic Reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector
Description: Come engage in conversation and personal stories to offer practical skills and tips on how to build meaningful, mutually productive relationships with Indigenous Peoples, from initial consultation to project planning and development. And they show how the resource sector can play a meaningful role in advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, as part of a sustainable future that benefits all of humanity.
Speaker: Christy Smith
Christy Smith 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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October 18th, 2022
Title: Alberta Forestry - an Industry of Growth
Description: Forestry is woven right into the social and economic fabric of our province. It’s one of Alberta’s oldest industries – and one of its most innovative. This webinar will cover the importance of the forest industry in Alberta. Furthermore, it will focus on how Work Wild is connecting and educating Albertans about opportunities in the forestry field. Participants will learn the importance of sustainability in forestry and gain an understanding of the diverse career paths that exist.
Speaker: Forrest Battjes
Forrest Battjes has been working with students and career seekers for over 8 years. He holds degrees in both Environmental Studies and Education. This background provides him a unique skill set in the role of Forestry Educator with the Alberta Forest Products Association.
Forrest uses a relational approach to inspire and educate individuals about sustainable forest practices and unique vocational opportunities that exist in Alberta’s Forest industry.
Forrest currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta and enjoys fishing and hiking in the eastern slopes.
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October 11th, 2022
Title: Crafting A Meaningful Vision and Mission Statement for Your Organization
Why do many organizations take the time to define their mission, vision, values and purpose and is it really that important? Yes! It sure is if you want everyone paddling the canoe in the same direction towards a common goal!
Your mission statement clarifies what the business stands for, who it serves and how it makes a difference; whereas your vision is the WHY your business exists, revealing an important roadmap for your organization. You can craft compelling mission and vision statements by infusing them with passion, making them inspirational and aligning them with your business’s values and goals.
Clarifying these core elements of a brand helps to keep your organization on-track and purposeful while attracting the right people to support its growth and progress.
In this webinar, Loa Fridfinnson, a 22-year marketing communications professional will take you through the steps to explore, clarify, align and define what makes your organization unique and how you can effectively communicate who you are, what you do and why you do it with those that matter most to the success of your organization. Shine a light on your organization’s brand in this creative and interactive corporate identity building session.
Speaker: Loa Fridfinnson
Loa has 20+ years of entrepreneurial, marketing, technology and sales expertise through her marketing agency ------------------
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October 4th, 2022
Title: Highlighting Community Economic Development
Description: Join us as we highlight the winner of the Cando Community of the Year Award, Nelson House Development Corporation, who were recognized at the Cando Conference for their commitment and dedication to increase the standards of living and prosperity in Indigenous communities. Executive Director David Kobliski will speak to current projects and initiatives, such as the joint venture with Manitoba Hydro, the goal of being self-sufficient, and the overall success of his community.
Speaker: David Kobliski, Executive Director, Nelson House Development Corporation
David Kobliski, Executive Director, Nelson House Development Corporation
David Kobliski is an Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation member. He left the community when he was 11 years old and moved to Saddle lake First Nation in Alberta, returning to Nisichawayasihk when he completed grade 12. David became a commercial pilot and started his own air charter service, flying for about 7 years. He then moved on to work with the Nelson House Development Corporation where he has worked since 1997.
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September 20th, 2022
Title: Housing Feasibility: Regions to Projects
Description: This session will provide tools and approaches to assist EDO’s in making assessments and informing housing and land development related projects. Examples and approaches will be drawn from case studies as well as good practice methodologies for attracting, directing and accommodating project related investment. The session will examine socio-economic information and opportunities for community-based entrepreneurial business development associated with land and housing projects.
Speaker: Jason Petrunia
Jason Petrunia is an experienced strategist, regional and urban planner, and social performance specialist. He assists his clients realize innovations in region and city building, benefit sharing, and management of risk and impacts within resource, industrial, infrastructure, and urban investments projects. He brings experience from across Canada and internationally in environmental and social governance, urban planning, and community development. He is adept at working in a collaborative, technically informed framework that allows for effective decision making.
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September 13th, 2022
Title: The Seven Imperatives of Great CEOs with John Wilson
Webinar Description: Whether you are an entrepreneur, a CEO, or a senior executive on your way to the top seat, the ‘Seven Imperatives’ will help you to learn, grow, and succeed—in business and in life. John Wilson is one of the world’s preeminent CEO mentors and the founder and CEO of CEO Global Network. He is also the author of the acclaimed business book GREAT CEOs and How They Are Made: The Seven Imperatives. In this session, John will introduce his Seven Imperatives model and share some of the knowledge he has gained from over 40 years working with some of the world’s greatest business leaders.
Speaker: John Wilson
John Wilson is the active owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of CEO Global Network. John is driven by his passion for business and his belief that it is people that form the heart and soul of any organization. John has carried this belief into his vision for CEO Global Network and is unconditionally supportive of all the organization’s Members – who he believes to be the essence of what CEO Global Network stands for. John is dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission, “To significantly improve the success and lives of CEOs and Executives, their families and their companies”.
John is an experienced entrepreneur, business owner and leader. He has a proven track record of building nine-figure businesses, and is one of the world’s preeminent CEO mentors. With thirty-five years’ experience building shareholder value with companies such as W.R. Grace Inc., Ultramar Canada Ltd., Ultramar Inc., and TEC (The Executive Committee) Canada Ltd., John has demonstrated his ability to build and lead successful companies in both Canada and the United States.
John currently sits on the Board of Directors of Excellence Canada and is also an accomplished and sought-after speaker on the topics of Leading Fast Growth and The Seven Imperatives of Great CEOs. To book John for a speaking engagement, please click here.
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September 6th
Title: Additions to Reserves
Webinar description: Get a thorough understanding of Additions to Reserves (ATR) and how First Nations can benefit from strategic land acquisitions and development, and in particular development in urban settings.
Tim Daniels is a proud Anishinabe from the Long Plain First Nation, located on Treaty 1 Territory. He is currently Chief Development Officer with Treaty 1 Development Corporation responsible for planning and the re-development of the 160 acre former Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg, now known as Naawi-Oodena.Tim has a wealth of experience in property and business development and is devoted to projects that help First Nations strive for economic success and sustainability. His accomplishments include development of Long Plain Urban Reserves in both Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie which have established LPFN as an economic force in Canada.Tim has won many awards including as Economic Developer of the Year, the Spirit of Growth and Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence awards to mention just a few.
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August 23rd
Title: Prioritizing Partnerships
Webinar Description:
It is time to rethink relationships! Geena Jackson, President of Indigenous Initiatives, shares insights from her 25 years of working to shape strong procurement, nation-building and business development strategies. Geena provides a fresh look into ways that networking is nurturing, we must remember 'the five C's' of effective communication and authenticity builds relationships.
Speaker: Geena Jackson
Geena Jackson
Geena is a proud member of the Shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation.
As a passionate advocate for Indigenous Rights, Geena has worked with the Squamish Nation for 13 years. She was the Economic Development Officer, leading in procurement, partnerships and relationship building with industry for Major Capital Projects. She also managed the Squamish Nation Trust where she assisted the development of over 500 Indigenous businesses with Squamish Nation member entrepreneurs. Geena is especially proud to have 6 of her Squamish Nation Businesses win the BC Indigenous Achievement Awards in the last 6 years.
Geena is passionate about initiatives to benefit First Nation Communities including increased housing, food sustainability, water purity, and opportunities for economic growth. She also supports initiatives such as Right to Play, teaching Indigenous youth life skills, and Live Different, an organization that provides assistance and education to assist with youth suicide prevention in First Nation Communities. These initiatives create positive life changing impacts in Indigenous lives.
Geena has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting Indigenous initiatives, such as The Residential Day Scholars fundraiser, the Squamish Nation annual Trades Centre Fundraiser, and the Vancouver Indigenous Film Festival.
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August 2, 2022
Title: Wealth Protection
Webinar Description: Wealth protection is a key building block in every financial plan. In this session, we will discuss different types of wealth protection and how they can benefit you on your journey towards financial independence.
Speaker: Levi Sladen
Levi Sladen is a member of the Tahltan nation and an independent licensed financial advisor with a focus on personalized financial education. Levi's mission is ensure that a high level of financial literacy is available to all Indigenous peoples and to educate First Nations people on strategies uniquely available to them. He wants to ensure Canadians, in as many communities as possible, are educated on personal finance. Levi is experienced in both personal and finance strategies, and aims to provide "private-level" education so that every individual is empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Please note that no recording is available for this session!
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July 26, 2022
Title: Miysokamin: Grounded in Indigenous Innovation
Description: SIIT launched the Miysokamin: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Applied Certificate Program in February of 2022. Miyoskamin is a Plains Cree word meaning Spring, and the ground is breaking. This exciting new program is five months in length, and will provide you with the knowledge, skills, mentorship, and awareness of emerging technologies to succeed in running an innovative small business. You will learn Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews around governance, finance, marketing, labour, and sustainability, through conversation and connection with Elders and knowledge keepers, Indigenous entrepreneurs, local innovators, and through land-based practices. Completing this program will help you define your own entrepreneurship goals, as well as demonstrate how new technologies and traditional practices can come together in innovative ways to benefit communities, businesses, and culture.
Speaker: Samantha Ouellette
Samantha Ouellette is a Nehiyaw Iskwew from northern Saskatchewan whose family roots connect her to Canoe Lake Cree First Nation. She spent most of her youth in Meadow Lake, until choosing to pursue her education in 2009 at the University of Saskatchewan. She has since completed her B.Ed., a certificate in Post-Secondary Leadership, and is in her final year of her M. Ed. in Curriculum Studies. Since beginning her journey within adult education, much of her work has been with Indigenous learners at post-secondary institutes. Samantha has been at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) for three and a half years. She originally started as an Instructor for the Mental Health and Wellness Diploma Program, and now works as the Coordinator of Innovation & Entrepreneurship – Academics, overseeing their new Indigenous Accelerator initiative and the Miyoskamin: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program.
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July 19, 2022
This session was cancelled. It will be offered at a later date.
Title: Digital Workplace
Description: One of the biggest impacts of COVID-19 on our work life has been remote work. The Labour Force Survey in Canada suggests that pre-pandemic only about 4% of employees worked from home. From April 2020 to June 2021 that number increased to 30%, with more employees and new hires demanding a remote or hybrid option as part of their contract.
Join us for a discussion on the new way of working - the digital workspace.
In this session Shani and Shawna-Kay will share the story of pipikwan pêhtâkwan and how the company has been navigating remote work for the past five years. Leave feeling equipped with the information that can inform your remote/hybrid work strategy and implementation, ideas for boosting teamwork, engagement, belonging and productivity.
Presenters: Shani Gwin and Shawna-Kay Thomas
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July 12, 2022
Title: Request for Proposal (RFP’S)
Description: Finding Contract Opportunities as an Indigenous Business: When a company, organization, or government needs a specific job to be competed, they’ll often post an RFP (Request for Proposal) online. These are great opportunities for your Indigenous business! Learn what an RFP is, how to write a winning proposal, and how to find opportunities from Governments and other organizations.
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 5, 2022
Title: The Making of the Bears' Lair TV Show- Conception, Sponsor Attraction, ReconconciliAction
Webinar Description:Follow the journey of shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation entrepreneur Geena Jackson as she worked to turn a long-held dream into reality by creating Bears’ Lair TV – a new, nine-episode reality TV series that will be featured on primetime, national TV this September on APTN.Learn how Geena combined 20 years of experience empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs, leading procurement and economic development initiatives in various First Nations and a degree in Broadcast Journalism to start her own media empowerment company, Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc. Follow her journey to align people and resources to shape the Bears’ Lair brand and create a culturally-rich ‘stage’ that will showcase the stories, diversity, and resilience of 18 diverse emerging and established Indigenous entrepreneurs from across the nation who were selected to compete on Season 1 of #BearsLairTV.Geena will share highlights (and lessons learned) as her team worked to produce a new ‘Reality TV Series with REAL Impact’ that challenges mainstream, capitalist-focused business reality TV shows. With every purpose-driven decision, Geena and her team found ways to honour Indigenous values and ways of doing business, weaving in some key ‘Indigenous Twists’ such as selecting ’The Bears’ - four Indigenous business moguls – to serve as the core judges through Season 1. Learn how they worked to nurture the ’Spirit of Co-opetition’ among the 18 Contestants, supported them to shine on stage, and awarded ‘Points for Purpose’ by acknowledging the social impact and range of economic, environmental and cultural benefits of they provide as they strive to balance a Quadruple Bottom Line: People, Planet, Profit and PURPOSE.It’s time to work together to incite ReconcilACTION and to ‘Feed the Spirit of Indigenous Business Across the Nation.’ It’s time to enter The Bears’ Lair!
Speaker: Geena Jackson
Geena Jackson
Geena is a proud member of the Shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation.
As a passionate advocate for Indigenous Rights, Geena has worked with the Squamish Nation for 13 years. She was the Economic Development Officer, leading in procurement, partnerships and relationship building with industry for Major Capital Projects. She also managed the Squamish Nation Trust where she assisted the development of over 500 Indigenous businesses with Squamish Nation member entrepreneurs. Geena is especially proud to have 6 of her Squamish Nation Businesses win the BC Indigenous Achievement Awards in the last 6 years.
Geena is passionate about initiatives to benefit First Nation Communities including increased housing, food sustainability, water purity, and opportunities for economic growth. She also supports initiatives such as Right to Play, teaching Indigenous youth life skills, and Live Different, an organization that provides assistance and education to assist with youth suicide prevention in First Nation Communities. These initiatives create positive life changing impacts in Indigenous lives.
Geena has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting Indigenous initiatives, such as The Residential Day Scholars fundraiser, the Squamish Nation annual Trades Centre Fundraiser, and the Vancouver Indigenous Film Festival.
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June 28, 2022
Webinar Title: Building a Business Plan
Description: Creating a business plan is one of the most important steps for any successful business. It is used for strategic planning, accessing funding opportunities, or ensuring you are aligning your activities to your planned goals. The business plan provides an overall roadmap for any individual business at any stage in their life cycle. In this workshop you will learn the key parts of a complete plan, including:
• The Executive Summary
• Business/company Profile
• Products and Services
• Marketing
• Finding your target market
• Strategic application
• Financial Plan & Projections
• Importance of cash management
If you have a business idea & you want to explore how to structure your vision to paper, join the ‘Building a Business Plan’ workshop to be introduced to each section of a business plan & how to prepare before building the complete plan.
Speaker: Laura Englehart
Laura Englehart is a Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation with a background in mainly accounting roles, banking, and economic development, after graduating from the University of New Brunswick Fredericton in 2017 with concentrations in both accounting and human resources management. She is currently working as the Market Access Officer at the Joint Economic Development Initiative located in the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik people. Within her role at JEDI, she oversees the Incubator and Accelerator programs, assists in advisory services, and the planning and execution of various capacity building workshops with existing Indigenous entrepreneurs and business-owners in all industries.
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June 14, 2022
Webinar Title: Selling your products to a reseller
Description: Selling direct to customers is the go-to for any new business owner who sells a physical product. But did you know that you can also sell your goods to a third-party reseller such as a retail store, distributors, or wholesaler? Nicole McLaren from Raven Reads will share some tips and tricks to preparing for selling to a reseller and how to make sure you set yourself up for success. Learn about wholesale pricing, payment terms and methods, purchase orders, labelling and packaging, and what is expected of you (the business owner) when you enter into an commercial agreement with a reseller.
Speaker: Nicole McLaren
Nicole McLaren is a multi-award-winning M tis entrepreneur from British Columbia and---------
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June 7, 2022
Webinar Title: Investing, Growth & Indigenous Strategies
Description: Investing and growth are powerful wealth-building tools which require only commitment and time. In this session, we will discuss approaches to investing and how you can start building your own financial independence no matter where in life you are.
Speaker: Levi Sladen
Levi Sladen is a member of the Tahltan nation and an independent licensed financial advisor with a focus on personalized financial education.
Levi's mission is ensure that a high level of financial literacy is available to all Indigenous peoples and to educate First Nations people on strategies uniquely available to them.
He wants to ensure Canadians, in as many communities as possible, are educated on personal finance.
Levi is experienced in both personal and finance strategies, and aims to provide "private-level" education so that every individual is empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
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May 31, 2022
Webinar Title: Economic Capital
Description: Done well, community economic development can enhance all six forms of community capital: natural capital, physical capital, economic capital, human capital, social capital, and cultural capital. An economy focused on development rather than growth, and people and ecosytems, rather than currency, creates a self-sustaining economy that meets all the needs of a community, promotes a better quality of life, and protects the environment. Learn about the three systems of the economy and the basic and non-basic economic models to help develop local self-reliance.
Speaker: Angela Adsit
Speaker: 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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May 24, 2022
Webinar Title: Wellness Workshop which focuses on creating healthier habits to maximize mental health for personal and work lifestyles
Saige Arcand is a proud nêhiyaw iskwêw from Kipohtakaw (Alexander First Nation).
Saige is the founder and CEO of Inspired Iskwew Personal Development Coaching and Inspired Iskwew Designs. She is driven and dedicated to inspiring the lives of Indigenous people by sharing teachings & tools for cultivating healthy self-esteem, self-compassion and self-love as a form of healing and confidence building.
It has been a great honour to serve in communities across Canada over the past 10 years. Her work spans across various elements of workshop facilitation, project management, and empowerment coaching for youth & women.
When Saige teaches, she draws upon her own life experiences to bring value to her work, while remaining true to her authentic self. It is from her previous experiences as a youth & young mother who has battled and overcame severe self-esteem issues, depression and inter-generational trauma which has inspired her to develop and deliver workshops in hopes that helps others.
Inspired Iskwew Coaching workshops are aimed to empower people to transform their mindset, enhance their self-esteem and to have them leave with confidence to reach their full potential in life.
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May 10, 2022
2:00PM PT / 3:00PM MT / 4:00PM CT / 5:00PM ET
Webinar Title: Regional Project Readiness Planning
Description: Northern, rural, and remote regions are exposed to risk throughout the project cycle, whether projects are focused on resource extraction, industrial development, or infrastructure construction. Project-induced growth is difficult to predict – projects themselves can take up to 20 years before market conditions are appropriate for development. Then, once projects come on stream, population growth and service demands can easily overwhelm local communities. Market fluctuations also affect the pace of growth within established regions, resulting in boom-and-bust growth cycles. In boom times, pressure is exerted locally to accommodate population influx. Pressure on land, resources, and services can lead to local conflict. Without sufficient attention to economic diversification, project closure or slowdowns can have detrimental impacts upon communities (a bust economy).This webinar will describe how communities can mitigate some of the risks that accompany major development projects while realizing long-term community goals by developing region-based readiness plans early in the project cycle. An effective readiness strategy can help ensure a development project demonstrates environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout its lifecycle and project investment helps to build transferrable skills and knowledge within the local economy to benefit communities for many years following project closure.
Speaker: Jason Petrunia
Zoom Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-msrDMjHNT5JD5mksdNO40Myvw2y5il
Jason Petrunia is an experienced strategist, regional and urban planner, and social performance specialist. He assists his clients realize innovations in region and city building, benefit sharing, and management of risk and impacts within resource, industrial, infrastructure, and urban investments projects. He brings experience from across Canada and internationally in environmental and social governance, urban planning, and community development. He is adept at working in a collaborative, technically informed framework that allows for effective decision making.
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May 3, 2022
Webinar Title: Exploring Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Webinar Description:Join guest speaker Lee Ahenakew as he shares us his exploration though his varied experience with both large corporations as well as an individual entrepreneur. Lee will also touch base on his successful venture as the lead First Nation’s EDC’s.
Speaker: Lee Ahenakew
Lee Ahenakew
Lee is a collaborative and engaging leader that builds businesses opportunities with First Nations and industry. He is a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. An expert in business planning and development with an ability to open new markets and build relationships, and with broad knowledge and experience working with First Nations and industry across Canada and the United States, Lee develops business relationships with a focus in the natural resource, renewable energy and utility sectors. He has delivered community benefit through partnership development, organizational strategies, community engagement, and quality processes to advance Indigenous inclusion and social responsibility including benefit agreement negotiations and implementation.
Most recently Lee served in several contract CEO positions related to construction and labour, renewable energy, and indoor vertical farming. He has held leadership roles for the largest mining company in the world for community engagement and as V.P of Member Relations for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Currently Lee is Principal of Lee Ahenakew and Associates Consulting working with Indigenous businesses and industry in the areas of business development, water and wastewater utility development, community engagement, governance, and industry & indigenous relations. Lee is the Past Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Saskatchewan and a Director for the First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan.
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April 26, 2022
Webinar Title: RESP's and other ways to save
Description: This workbook is about savings. You’ll look at ways of making the money you save grow over time. You’ll learn about registered savings plans to help you get ready for your future. Have kids? Then it’s important for you to know that there are registered savings plans to help you help your children with their future education.
Speaker: Karen Paul
Karen is the Indigenous Adult Learning and Literacy Program Coordinator for JEDI. She has been working with JEDI (Joint Economic Development Initiative) for the last five years.
In her role, she provides Indigenous Workplace Essential Skills, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Upskills for work, and Job Search Techniques Workshops to Indigenous Clients across New Brunswick to help them bridge the gap between where they are presently and in the workplace.
Karen holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.
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April 19, 2022
Webinar Title: Borrowing Money
Description: This workbook is about credit—what it is, how to use it wisely, and how to get it under control when your debt is too big to handle. You’ll look at different kinds of credit and the cost of borrowing. You’ll learn ways to avoid the costs piling up, so that if you need to borrow money, it is there for you.
Speaker: Karen Paul
Speaker: Karen Paul
Karen is the Indigenous Adult Learning and Literacy Program Coordinator for JEDI. She has been working with JEDI (Joint Economic Development Initiative) for the last five years.
In her role, she provides Indigenous Workplace Essential Skills, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Upskills for work, and Job Search Techniques Workshops to Indigenous Clients across New Brunswick to help them bridge the gap between where they are presently and in the workplace.
Karen holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.
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April 12, 2022
Webinar Title: Banking Basics
Webinar DescriptionThis workbook is about banks and banking, and the choices available to you. You’ll learn about personal bank accounts, and which type might best suit you and your money needs. You’ll learn about what a bank can do for you, and how it can save you money.
Speaker: Karen Paul
Karen Paul
Karen is the Indigenous Adult Learning and Literacy Program Coordinator for JEDI. She has been working with JEDI (Joint Economic Development Initiative) for the last five years.
In her role, she provides Indigenous Workplace Essential Skills, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Upskills for work, and Job Search Techniques Workshops to Indigenous Clients across New Brunswick to help them bridge the gap between where they are presently and in the workplace.
Karen holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.
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April 5, 2022
Webinar Title: Media Training Presentation:
Webinar Description:
This session will help you navigate media pitches, inquiries, and announcements for yourorganization. Learn how to predict questions, prepare your key messages and avoid commonmedia traps. Leave feeling equipped with the skills required to take media calls into your ownhands, whether on-camera or over the phone
Speakers: Jill McKenzie and Shawna-Kay Thomas
Jill McKenzie
Communications Manager, pipikwan pêhtâkwan
Jill graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and obtained her Master of Arts in Communication and Technology from the University of Alberta. Jill has 15 years experience in communications, public relations and public affairs. During her career she has focused on communications planning, media relations, issues management, reputation management and copy writing. She has worked in the education sector and for all levels of government including the Department of National Defence, the Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and the Government of Nova Scotia.
In her current role as communications manager at pipikwan pêhtâkwan, Jill leads teams to create communications and media relations strategies, develop and implement tactical plans to achieve the campaign deliverables.
Shawna-Kay Thomas
Account Manager, pipikwan pêhtâkwan
Shawna-Kay is a strategic and creative Communications Specialist with over 13 years of experience in journalism and communications. As a communications professional she operates from a global perspective creating awareness and telling the stories of non-profits, governments and government agencies/departments, and private sector companies.
Shawna-Kay has a keen interest in developing, executing and evaluating internal and external communication plans and is skilled in media relations, writing and editing communication pieces, building community partnerships, and events planning.
Working with the team at pipikwan pêhtâkwan, Shawna-Kay drives satisfaction to clients! She
listens to understand the communications needs of clients and potential clients and then hits
the ground running from conceptualizing to planning the communications work, through to
drafting proposals and leading and growing client relations.
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March 29, 2022
Webinar Title: Links to Learning: 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.
Speaker: Fernando Salazar
Fernando Salazar
After graduating from the Marine Biology program at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, BCS, Mexico, I was a jack of all trades: I 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, I ran my own recycled plastics commercialization business, and provided consultancy services to aquaculture and environmental management initiatives. At the end, things didn’t work out as I wanted, and I decided to leave my homeland.
In 2002 I immigrated to Canada and I spent the first 2 years in Toronto working at the oddest jobs imaginable: building pallets, cleaning a carpentry, helping a handyman install air conditioners, in a demolition crew, clerk on a Mexican food store, etc. All while searching for jobs in my profession but with no success. Finally, I decided that the only way forward was to go back to school and in 2006 I completed a Masters in Aquaculture from the University of Guelph. My work at the university focused on the environmental management side of trout aquaculture, especially in matters related to tracking organic effluents using stable isotopes. By 2007, I moved to DFO’s Biological Station in St. Andrews, NB (SABS) to work in the Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture project (IMTA) doing a meta-analysis of species with potential to be used as bio-filters of deposited organic matter originated from fish farming practices. Upon completion of my contract at SABS, I joined the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia (AANS) as an R&D Coordinator to provide assistance and advice in project management, technology transfer, innovation and development of aquaculture. This position gave me the necessary exposure to understand the challenges and needs of aquaculture in Atlantic Canada and to build a valuable network of national and international key contacts within the sector. In 2010, I joined Ulnooweg Development Group as an Aquaculture Business Development Advisor with the Business Development Team (BDT) working with the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) on behalf of the Nations affiliated to the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat. Working with Atlantic Canada’s First Nation communities was an incredible experience as I was fortunate to enrich my knowledge with the immense traditional wisdom of First Nations and it has given me a more conscious and rounded vision of where and how I would like to see aquaculture development being done in Canada. In 2018, Castlemain, the firm in charge of hosting the BDT that works with Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) offered me a temporary position as the Aquaculture Business Development Advisor in their BDT. Then in early 2020, the BDT was in preparations for changing host organizations from Castlemain to Skeena Fisheries Commission and it was during that process that an opportunity presented itself and I became the BDT’s Lead, a position I still hold today.
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March 22, 2022
Webinar Title: Wellness Webinar: Stress Management & Resiliency
Description: In this webinar, the topic is one we are all too familiar with: stress.
Understanding stress & how it affects your well being.
How do you respond to stress in your life??
We will talk about managing & responding to stress in healthy ways.
Speaker: Michelle Nieviadomy
Michelle Nieviadomy is Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) with a passion for wellness, social justice & community development.
She is a member of Kawacatoose First Nation and while her roots are in Saskatchewan, she has called Edmonton home for the past 20 years.
She is the Assistant Director at the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.
She is an entrepreneur with her own business called Iskwew Health promoting health & wellness in various capacities! (Zumba, meditation, bootcamp, fitness kickboxing, wellness retreats) She believes movement is medicine & connection is everything!
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March 8, 2022
Webinar Title: Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) ~ Serving as a catalyst for Indigenous prosperity and independence
Webinar Description
Join Amber Boudreau, Vice President of Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation as she provides an informative session on opportunities for Indigenous financial empowerment and economic investment through the Alberta Indigenous opportunities Corporation (AIOC).
Speaker: Amber Boudreau
Amber Boudreau
Amber is a proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band in northwestern Ontario and comes to the AIOC with more than 18 years of experience in the banking industry. She has a strong background in Indigenous Commercial Banking, with experience in Enterprise Commercial Banking, Small Business and Personal Markets and Investments. Amber is an active member of CIRC (Corporate Indigenous Relations Council) on behalf of AIOC and previously served on the Board of Directors for Algoma Family Services. Before joining the AIOC, she acted as interim Team Lead and Senior Manager for CIBC’s Indigenous Markets Team and actively mentored women in Commercial Banking.
Prior to her career in banking, Amber worked at an Ontario law firm that specialized in Aboriginal Law and acted as a Community Facilitator for the Self-Governance and Education Initiative with the Union of Ontario Indians.
Unfortunately, there is no recording for this session.
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March 1, 2022
Webinar Title: Unlocking Economic Opportunities; building Canada’s Largest Indigenous Economic Development Zone
Webinar Description:
Beyond the transformation of the subject lands, Naawi-Ooodena, (the former Kapyong Barracks) is poised to become a catalyst for First Nations economic development, a focal point for the Treaty One Nation identity and cultures, and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainable community design.
Speaker: Tim Daniels
Tim Daniels
Tim is a proud Anishinabe from the Long Plain First Nation, located on Treaty 1 Territory. He is currently Chief Development Officer with Treaty 1 Development Corporation responsible for planning and the re-development of the 160 acre former Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg, now known as Naawi-Oodena.
Tim has a wealth of experience in property and business development and is devoted to projects that help First Nations strive for economic success and sustainability.
His accomplishments include development of Long Plain Urban Reserves in both Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie which have established LPFN as an economic force in
Canada.
Tim has won many awards including as Economic Developer of the Year, the Spirit of Growth and Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence awards to mention just a few.
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February 22, 2022
Webinar Title: Understanding Credit & Debt Management
Indigenous people are becoming entrepreneurs in record numbers, motivated by several reasons including the pursuit of financial independence and security. To best support this blossoming entrepreneur community, it is important to provide career support related to entrepreneurship. Equally important is the sharing of vital personal financial education to support our entrepreneur community’s business successes and enhance meaningful sustainability. Yet there remains a gap in Financial Literacy learning, both in the entrepreneur community as well as the Indigenous community. One area in particular that impacts Indigenous entrepreneurship is the understanding of credit usage and resulting debt.
In this knowledge sharing session, Scout Financial Solutions shares vital first hand and industry studied knowledge on Understanding Credit and Managing Debt for emerging entrepreneurs. The first topic of discussion will be Understanding Credit and will introduce common types of credit usage. The discussion moves forward to address the oft misunderstood topics of Credit Scores versus Credit Reports and their purposes. This will include an overview of how scores and reports are calculated and how those calculations can play into one’s personal and business opportunities. This session then proceeds to the second part, which is Managing Debt. Debt discussions must go hand in hand with credit discussions because they are two sides of the same coin. When learning to understand how credit works, it is critical to learn the importance of managing debt load because debt is product of credit usage. To assist in this learning, Scout Financial Solutions shares knowledge on identifying how much credit usage is too much and warning signs to note. Helpful tips will also be shared to manage credit cards, which are often the first type of credit utilized to build and/or repair credit. As well, three types of debt repayment plans will be introduced to fast track debt payback goals. This session will wrap up with a brief plenary that enhances knowledge transfer. It is hoped that this session not only supports entrepreneur learning, but that it will also encourage entrepreneurs and the business support community to make meaningful Financial Literacy connections between personal and business financial wellness.
Speaker: Cate Morris
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 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 persona 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. 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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February 15, 2022
Webinar Title: Tools for First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Collaboration
Webinar Description: Are you interested in First Nation – Municipal collaboration but don’t know where to begin? Join the First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) program team on Tuesday, February 15th.
This session will highlight a few CEDI tools and resources to support First Nations and municipalities to build sustainable partnerships, focusing mainly on the CEDI tool and templates, Creating a Joint Working Group for First Nation and Municipal Partnerships. A joint working group is a CEDI wise practice that has supported many First Nation-municipal partnerships to build relationships and advance collaborative planning and community economic development initiatives. Join us to learn more!
Speakers:
Marissa Lawrence and Carmelle Nepoose - CEDI Program, Cando
Marissa Lawrence
Senior Program Officer - CEDI - Western Region - Cando
Marissa has worked for Cando as the Senior Program Officer for the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) since July 2017. As a member of the CEDI team, Marissa supports First Nation – municipal partnerships across the country to establish respectful and equitable partnerships and to build capacity to engage in joint planning for community economic development and land-use.
Marissa has a rich background of designing and convening community-bridging intercultural dialogue and engagement programming. Marissa holds a BA in Communications, Minor in Dialogue from Simon Fraser University (SFU), Dialogue and Civic Engagement Certificate from SFU, and is a Cando-certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED). She is currently working to attain the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate through Vancouver Island University.
Carmelle Nepoose
Certification Coordinator (West) - Cando
Carmelle Nepoose is from Samson Cree Nation of Maskwacis, Alberta.
Carmelle has Business Administration Accounting Diploma from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She was previously employed with Samson Cree Nation for the last four years, where she was a dedicated employee in the Residential Development department as a CMHC Coordinator. She is very passionate about helping her Nation and Nation members by providing the best resources for programs available.
For the last 2 years, Carmelle was the Special Projects Coordinator, where she oversaw the regional events before she transferred into the role of Certification Coordinator (West).
Carmelle looks forward to having the opportunity to work with many accomplished Indigenous Economic Development Officers and Land Managers from across Canada. Working in this position she has gained valuable work experience and enjoys networking with professionals in the field of Economic Development.
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February 8, 2022
Webinar Title: Telling your Community's Story through Tourism - Indigenous Tourism Association's (ITA) Pathway Program
The Indigenous Cultural Tourism Pathway is an innovative grassroots training program designed to empower Indigenous community members to discover and achieve their tourism vision while remaining grounded in their traditional values and local realities. This Program is designed to guide participants towards an understanding of the benefits that Indigenous tourism holds for cultural preservation, environmental safeguarding, social progress, and local economic growth. Join Mackenzie Brown, Director of Industry Development to learn more about developing Community Tourism! Guest speaker includes Kimmy Houle of the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Speaker: Mackenzie Brown
Mackenzie Brown, Director of Industry Development - ITA
Brown is a First Nations Cree Woman from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and currently resides in Mohkinstsis, Calgary. Brown has a background as a performer, drummer, tourism entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for at-risk youth in the Edmonton area in addition to her past roles in Indigenous Tourism Development with both the Government of Alberta and Edmonton Tourism.
Brown is well known across Alberta for performing with her mom as “Warrior Women.” Together they drum and teach around Alberta for the Northern Alberta Teachers Conference, the annual Jasper Dark Skies Festival, Youth Dream Catchers Conference, Canada Day, Aboriginal Day festivities and more.
In addition to drumming, Brown is also an avid acrylic artist and traditional First Nations crafts artisan. Her art has been featured in the Pump House Gallery, the Edson Gallery Museum, the Gray Gallery Grant MacEwan, recognized for the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Award of 2017, featured for the Alberta Business Competition 2017 and sold to people travelling worldwide at Jasper Park Lodge.
Brown has also been awarded the 2019 Esquao Award for Children’s Future, the 2019 Indigenous Woman of the year award from the Alberta Assembly of First Nations and the Top 30 under 30 from the Alberta Corporation for Global Cooperation 2020.
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February 1, 2022
Webinar Title: Honouring Indigenous Languages as a foundation for economic and business development in Indigenous communities
Webinar Description:
The strength and resiliency of our Indigenous languages in Canada is foundational to how we are connected to one another and the wahkōtowin or relationships that ensue. In this session, you will learn about the importance of honouring Indigenous languages as a foundation for economic and business development in Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. You will learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and how the impact of contact with a new economic worldview affected the roles within Indigenous communities. In the Cree language, we will explore wahkōtowin, building relationships, as a foundational basis within Indigenous communities. It is based on mutual respect and meant to provide a long healthy future not only for the current generations but more importantly, for the future little ones to come. Charlotte and Joseph are Cree speakers and co-teachers in an online Cree & Coffee adult learning group that has been meeting since January 2021 when it was co-created with the direction of Andrea Custer-Clarke who co-taught until June 2021. We will share the beauty of sharing the Cree language with adult learners that embraces wahkōtowin for their own personal development strengthening language knowledge and building confidence in speaking.
Speakers:
Charlotte Ross
tānsi, Charlotte Ross nitisithīkāson. I am a registered band member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. I love working with our communities, building capacity, and empowering all people with the true history of our past while working towards a brighter and healthier future. I am a third year Ph.D. student at the University of Victoria specializing in Indigenous Language Revitalization. I am a speaker, reader and writer of the Cree language, Woodland TH-dialect, and have also been a university Instructor using materials written in the Plains Cree Y-dialect. I assist my First Nation with developing Cree language materials along with other fluent speakers and am part of a team that developed and continues to update the Circle of Indigenous Languages website (https://indigenouslanguage.ca/). The website includes categorized recordings and opportunities to connect with language mentors. Over the past three years, I have provided support for 27 Mentor Apprentice Teams across Saskatchewan to work on their language proficiency in Cree and Saulteaux. I have experience as a Board member for the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network and for the Montreal Lake Business Ventures Inc.
Joseph Naytowhow
Joseph Naytowhow is an award winning Plains/Woodland Nehiyaw (Cree) Interdisciplinary artist from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Band in Saskatchewan. His generosity and compassion for sharing cultural knowledge makes him a much sought after speaker, performer, facilitator, and outdoor educator for adults and children alike locally, regionally and internationally. A longtime resident of Saskatoon, he has been playing music and telling stories, both tall and short, for over 35 years.
In addition to his busy schedule of performances, festivals, workshops, and residencies, he has served as a cultural advisor to various institutions such as the Indian Teacher Education Program in Saskatoon, and multiple universities across turtle island. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP). He is pleased to share his creative life experience, coyote trickster tendencies, and cultural knowledge when invited to do so.
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January 25, 2022
Title: Borrowing Money
Webinar Description: This webinar is about credit—what it is, how to use it wisely, and how to get it under control when your debt is too big to handle. You’ll look at different kinds of credit and the cost of borrowing. You’ll learn ways to avoid the costs piling up, so that if you need to borrow money, it is there for you.
Speaker: Karen Paul
Karen Paul
Karen is the Indigenous Adult Learning and Literacy Program Coordinator for JEDI. She has been working with JEDI (Joint Economic Development Initiative) for the last five years.
In her role, she provides Indigenous Workplace Essential Skills, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Upskills for work, and Job Search Techniques Workshops to Indigenous Clients across New Brunswick to help them bridge the gap between where they are presently and in the workplace.
Karen holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.
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January 18, 2022
Title: Links to Learning: Aquaculture
Learn about the NICFI program that is in place to help First Nation Communities that are either already participating within the aquaculture industry or considering entering it. This highly subscribed program has been providing financial support and technical advice since 2019. The program is geared to help support eligible aquaculture projects through nearly all developmental activities, as well as construction, capital expenditures and so much more. The NICFI program is available to eligible participants within the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Speaker: Nicholas Huber
Nicholas Huber joined Waubetek in August 2017. After graduating from the aquaculture program at Fleming College Nicholas spent the following 11 years growing Rainbow Trout and Atlantic Salmon in British Columbia and Scotland UK. He served as a Senior Manager in Scotland as the Seawater Regional Manager overseeing operations and production throughout the Orkney and Shetland Isles for his company. Since his return back to Ontario he has worked as a consultant working within the Ontario aquaculture industry and a brief period within the renewable energy sector.
His efforts at Waubetek have been focused on supporting growth in the aquaculture industry within First Nation communities throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
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January 11, 2022
Webinar Title: Links to Learning: Disaster Recovery Preparation
Webinar Description:
If your community has not been impacted before, and even if it has, it is not “if” it is “when” the disaster will happen. However, a community that is prepared to respond to the economic impacts of any disaster will recover faster. This session will explain the ten key steps your community can take to be better prepared to respond to the economic impacts of the disaster that will come to your community soon. Colleen and Dale will explain these ten steps while also highlighting what they have witnessed firsthand in working with communities impacted by different natural and man-made disasters.
Speakers:
Dale Wheeldon,
President and CEO,
BC Economic Development Association
Dale Wheeldon has 26 years of economic development experience and is the CEO of the BC Economic Development Association and one of the founding partners of EDCD Consulting. Starting out as in economic development in a rural BC community he then moved to Chilliwack where he worked to make Chilliwack one of the leading economic development communities in BC. He is in demand as a speaker with a presentation style combining humour with simplicity for understanding
Colleen Bond,
EDCD Consulting
Colleen Bond is a certified Economic Developer with 24 years of economic development experience. She has extensive knowledge in building economic development programs for business retention and expansion, business attraction and foreign investment attraction. Colleen has worked from grassroots to government organizations in a variety of community development and capacity building roles earning awards along with way. Colleen co-founded EDCD Consulting to provide consulting services to economic development agencies at all levels of government.
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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
