9th Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference
Working together with the land
June 18-20, 2025
Vancouver Island Conference Centre | Nanaimo, BC
The Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference is committed to celebrating accomplishments and fostering meaningful, equitable partnerships that support Indigenous-led economic participation in BC’s Natural Resource Sector. Our objective is to facilitate building enduring partnerships between Indigenous communities and the resource sector through sustainable and respectful resource development. By building these relationships, IROC seeks to promote inclusivity, self-determination, economic empowerment, and the protection of Indigenous rights and culture at all stages of resource development.
In 2008, informal discussions initiated between the Nanwakolas Council, Vancouver Island Indigenous leaders, community interests, and BC government representatives emphasized the value of sharing success stories of collaboration among Indigenous communities, governments, resource developers, and business leaders. This led to the creation of the Aboriginal Peoples Resource Opportunities Conference, first held in 2009 at the Wei Wai Kum Nation, garnering strong support and interest. The success prompted the expansion of the event, with subsequent conferences in 2010 and 2011 held at the Vancouver Island Convention Center in Nanaimo, BC.
The conference relaunched in 2019 and virtually in both 2020 and 2021. Throughout these years, the key theme focused on highlighting successful partnerships that deliver substantial benefits to Indigenous communities, resource developers, businesses, and various levels of government. Emphasizing these partnerships underscores the importance of collaboration and cooperation in fostering positive outcomes for everyone involved in resource development initiatives.
Conference Chair
Dallas W. Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Welcome Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, resource developers, businesses and Government representatives to the Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference. We are excited to again host this First Nations-led conference with a focus on sharing success stories of First Nations, resource developers and the Government working together to advance positive projects.
Since the launch of the original series conference, many successful partnerships now exist that are bringing significant benefits to First Nations, resource developers, businesses and all levels of Government. When First Nations communities are healthy and have opportunities, we all benefit. The conference lays the foundation for future partnerships and resulting benefits for First Nations and the resource sector.