Registration, Breakfast, Visit Exhibitors

Opening Ceremonies                                                                                   

Spiritwolf Singers

Forum Co-hosts: Sunshine Tenasco & André Jetté Speaker/Panelist: Claudette Commanda, Algonquin Anishinabe Elder

Jean Vincent, Chair, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)

Platinum Sponsor Address

Michael Hoffort, President and CEO, Farm Credit Canada

Presentation: Conference Board of Canada on AFI Impacts                         

The growing influence of investors looking to align investment with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) indicators is encouraging the financial service sector to examine the social impacts of commercial lending, Aboriginal Financial Institutions included.

A new Conference Board of Canada project for NACCA uses a model-based approach and case studies to explore links between AFIs’ economic and social impacts.

Mr. Fiser will introduce the approach taken, and present key initial findings that highlight the positive impacts AFIs are having on issues such as food security, housing, and mental wellbeing.

Adam Fiser, Associate Director, The Conference Board of Canada

Panel A: “Introducing the Indigenous Growth Fund”                                   

Panel A: “Introducing the Indigenous Growth Fund”

Canada’s newest and largest Indigenous Investment Fund, the IGF is currently capitalized at

$150M, with initial investment from the Government of Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Farm Credit Canada and Export Development Canada.

The IGF offers institutional and impact investors a direct vehicle to contribute to economic reconciliation and ensure that AFIs can continue to support Indigenous business clients in their communities, unlocking a pent-up loan demand for new and expanding Indigenous businesses.

Together, panelists will explore the unique structure of the Indigenous Growth Fund and the barriers that were overcome to make it a reality. We will hear how a recent $10 million dollar investment from the IGF will advance NEDC’s work on Vancouver Island, and the impact IGF capital will have on their Indigenous business clients.

Moderator & Panelists: Frank Busch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NationFUND Alison Nankivell, Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling, Business Development Bank of Canada

Frank Richter, Managing Director, Indigenous Growth Fund

Jeraldine Marshall, Director of Finance, Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation

Shannin Metatawabin, Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Keynote Address                                                                                         

Jenna Sudds, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Panel B: “Breaking Barriers – Empowering Indigenous Women in Business”

Targeted support is necessary to help Indigenous women entrepreneurs achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.

Join this panel to learn about the barriers that Indigenous women are overcoming in business, new initiatives and programs to support women’s participation in business, and the importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive services and supports.

Moderator & Panelists: Sunshine Tenasco, CEO & Founder, Pow Wow Pitch
Helen Bobiwash, FCPA
Magnolia Perron, Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Team Lead, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Assocation

Shannon Pestun, Co-Founder, The Finance Cafe

Victoria Gagné, Business Development Specialist, Clarence Campeau Development Fund

Panel C: Innovations in Indigenous Financing

Indigenous communities and their members continue to face barriers to access of low-cost capital for diverse needs, including housing and basic community infrastructure. Too often, mainstream financial institutions view them as high-risk clients, either passing them over entirely or requiring guarantees on loans. This practice unduly limits the growth potential of both communities and individuals.

What are some successful Indigenous-led, innovative solutions to attract low-cost capital? What gaps and capital needs remain? What are the best ways for government to support their work? Panelists will address these questions drawing on their experiences in a variety of sectors.

Moderator & Panelists: Shannin Metatawabin, Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Bobby Ahluwalia, Partner, Coeuraj Capital

Dawn Madahbee-Leach, Chair, National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB)

Jean Vincent, President and CEO, Aboriginal Savings Corporation of Canada

Karen Kastner, Vice-President, Partnerships and Government Relations, Business Development Bank of Canada

Keith Martell, President and CEO, First Nations Bank of Canada

“Growing Indigenous Businesses – Prosperity Through Export”

Trade was an important contributor to Indigenous prosperity and self-sufficiency well before the arrival of the first settlers. Supported by their own unique expertise, technologies and access to resources, Nations across Turtle Island were successful traders. Treaties and a continental network of trading routes facilitated much of this trade.

As modern-day Indigenous businesses and communities work to restore lost prosperity and financial sovereignty, many are looking to international trade to help achieve these goals.

With Canada representing less than 2% of the global market, export markets offer good opportunities for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis companies to grow their business, and contribute to building self-sufficiency and community prosperity. However, the obstacles and challenges many Indigenous companies face are impeding access to those export opportunities.

Moderated by Export Development Canada, panelists will explore these challenges in-depth, and discuss available solutions and strategies to help Indigenous companies grow their businesses through export.

Moderator & Panelists: Todd Evans, EDC National Lead – Indigenous Exporters, Export Development Canada

Patrick Watson, Director, Public Policy Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Paul Langdon, Strategic Initiatives Officer, Ulnooweg Development Group Robert McCubbing, Director, Global Affairs Canada

“Pandemic to Prosperity”                                                                               

Over the last 2 years, Indigenous businesses have shown a high level of adaptability and innovation in response to COVID-19 challenges. Moderated by NACCA, panelists will explore how Indigenous businesses:

• Adapted and adjusted the delivery of their business products and services in the face of COVID-19 public health restrictions;
• Developed an efficient and seamless customer journey across all contact, sales and service points both virtually and in-person (e.g., physical distancing, online shopping, curbside pickup, parcel delivery, sanitization, );
• Adopted new work at home strategies or new technologies to meet customer needs and employee expectations; and
• Launched new COVID-related products or services to meet the needs and demands of customers.

Moderator & Panelists: Mark Dokis, Special Projects, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Jake Sinclair, Entrepreneur, AnyTime Fitness

Kevin Eshkawkogan, Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Tourism Ontario Monica Brunet, Manager – Economic Development & Community Engagement, SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation

Philip Ducharme, Vice-President, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

Indigenous Prosperity Gala Dinner

AFI & Indigenous Business Awards

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO, Business Development Bank of Canada

Deantha Edmunds, Inuk Classical Singer