Conference Program
Nanaimo, BC | Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Draft Updated June 16, 2025
*Program subject to change
| Wednesday June 18 | |
| 4:00 - 6:00pm | Registration Open |
| 6:00 - 8:00pm |
Opening Reception | Sponsored by Innergex Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council Performance - Qwam Qwum Stuwixulh School |
| Thursday June 19 | |
| 8:00am | Registration Opens |
| 8:00 - 8:30am | Morning Nutrition Break & Networking | Sponsored by West Fraser |
| 8:30 - 9:00am |
Conference Opening Opening Prayer & Conference Blessing - Elder Lolly Good, Snuneymuxw First Nation Leonard Krog, Mayor, City of Nanaimo Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council Luke Schauerte, CEO, Woodfibre LNG |
| 9:00 - 9:10am |
Keynote Address Hon. Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Government of B.C. |
| 9:10 - 10:00am |
Panel 1 – Call for Power – Indigenous Participation in Wind Panelists: Al Leonard, Executive Vice-President of Capital Infrastructure Project Delivery, BC Hydro Chief Councillor Chris Roberts, Wei Wai Kum First Nation Ina Gjoka, Strategist - Government Relations, Innergex Moderator: Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, Executive Director, Clean Energy Association of BC |
| 10:00 - 10:20am | Special Presentation |
| 10:00 - 10:20am | Morning Nutrition Break & Networking | Sponsored by Engineers and Geoscientists BC |
| 10:20 - 11:10am |
Panel 2 – Indigenous Partnerships Across Canada Panelists: Alexandre Girard, General Manager of Groupe Aishkatsh, Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation, Quebec Dale Levesque, General Manager, Dallan LP Contracting, Fort William First Nation, Ontario Tina Rasmussen, Chief Business Officer of Meadow Lake Tribal Council Industrial Investments, Flying Dust First Nation, Saskatchewan Erik Blaney, Legislator, Tla'amin Nation, British Columbia Moderator: Lana Wilhelm, RPF, Director of Indigenous Relations, Domtar |
| Partnership Showcase | |
| 11:10 - 11:25am |
Partnership Showcase 1 – Quatsino Solar Project Panelists: Kara Wilson, Community Energy Champion, Quatsino First Nation Mary Vasey, Project Manager, Barkley Project Group |
| 11:25 - 11:40am |
Partnership Showcase 2 – Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial Panelists: Corey Janvier, Founder, Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial |
| 11:40 - 11:55am |
Partnership Showcase 3 – Shas Ti Environmental LP Panelists: Kevin Wilson, Director, Shas Ti Environmental LP Dwayne Martin, Binche Whuten Member & Director, Shas Ti Environmental LP |
| 11:55am - 12:10pm |
Partnership Showcase 4 – First Nations Forestry Council Panelists: Robert Manuel, Business Development Strategic Advisor, First Nations Forestry Council |
| 12:10 - 12:25pm |
Indigenous Partnerships: Unlocking Capital, Alignment, and Long-term success in a Values-Driven Economy Jaimie Lickers, Senior Vice President, Indigenous Markets, CIBC |
| 12:25 - 12:45pm | Tradeshow Networking Break |
| 12:45 - 2:00pm |
Keynote Luncheon | Sponsored by Mosaic Forest Management Lunch Prayer - Elder Sandra, Snuneymuxw First Nation Hon. David Eby, K.C., Premier, Government of B.C. Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council |
| 2:00 - 2:30pm | Tradeshow Networking Break |
| 2:30 - 2:55pm |
Fireside Chat: Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in EA: Lessons from CNA and Teck Kama Sills, Senior Coordinator, Indigenous Engagement, Teck Highland Valley Natalie Ross, Senior Technical Coordinator, Citxw Nlaka'pamux Assembly Moderator: Emily Milne, Director, Advisory Services, C3 Alliance |
| 2:55 - 3:05pm |
Keynote Address Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, Government of B.C. |
| 3:05 - 3:50pm |
Panel 3 – Feeding the Future: Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Panelists: Deputy Chief Councillor Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation Leslie MacDonald, Emergency Management Advisor, BC Agriculture Council Hon. Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture and Food Moderator: Brian Kingzett, Executive Director, BC Salmon Farmers Association |
| 3:50 - 4:10pm |
Stewarding Opportunity: Indigenous Leadership in Resource Management and Community Well-Being Chief Councillor Chris Roberts, Wei Wai Kum First Nation Moderator: Sarah Weber, President and CEO, C3 Alliance |
| 4:10 - 4:30pm |
Economic Reconciliation and Community Voices: A Fireside Chat on Woodfibre LNG Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish Nation Deanna Lewis, Cultural Ambassador, Squamish Nation Moderator: Selena Basi, VP Corporate Relations, Woodfibre LNG |
| 4:30 - 4:35pm | Special Presentation |
| 4:35 - 6:00pm | Tradeshow Networking Reception |
| 6:00 - 8:00pm |
Keynote Dinner Dinner Prayer & Cultural Performance - Elder Lolly Good, Snuneymuxw First Nation David Walkem, Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Invasive Species Council |
| Friday June 20 | |
| 8:00am | Registration Opens |
| 8:00 - 8:30am | Morning Nutrition Break & Networking | Sponsored by Capacity Forest Management |
| 8:30 - 8:35am |
Conference Opening Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council |
| 8:35 - 9:25am |
Panel 4 – Indigenous Leadership in Carbon Offsetting Panelists: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council Danielle Warren, Sr. Sales and Operations Manager, Great Bear Carbon Credit LP Adria Fradley, Assistant Deputy Minister, Clean Growth, Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions Michael Berends, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Clear Blue Markets Moderator: Paul Kariya, Acting General Manager, Great Bear Carbon Credit LP |
| 9:25 - 9:40am |
Plenary Session Steven Stark, President & CEO, TSI - Tsawwassen Shuttles Inc. |
| 9:40 - 10:30am |
Panel 5 – Reflections on the last five years of the BC Environmental Assessment Process Panelists: Nathan Braun, Partner, ERM Environmental Resources Management Scott Bailey, Owner, Beacon Regulatory Solutions Tamlyn Botel, Regulatory Engagement Manager, Skeena Gold + Silver Jennifer Campbell, CEO, Two Worlds Consulting Moderator: Sharon Singh, Partner, Co-Head, Environment and Indigenous Practices, McMillan LLP |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Morning Nutrition Break & Networking | Sponsored by Grieg Seafood |
| 11:00 - 11:10am |
Keynote Address | Sponsored by Western Forest Products Hon. Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, Government of B.C. |
| 11:10 - 11:50am |
Panel 6 – Stronger Forestry Partnerships | Sponsored by A&A Trading Panelists: Hon. Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, Government of B.C. Kim Haakstad, President and CEO, COFI Chief Councillor John Jack, Huu-ay-aht First Nations Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council |
| 11:50 - 12:10pm |
Building Indigenous Prosperity: Introducing FNBC's New Business Acquisition Loan for Indigenous Communities, Supported by BDC Booker Cornea, Market Lead (National), Commercial Banking, First Nations Bank of Canada Kris Smith, Lead, Community Banking – Lending Solutions, Business Development Bank of Canada |
| 12:10 - 12:30pm |
Keynote Address Michelle Carr, CEO and Commissioner, BC Energy Regulator |
| 12:30 - 12:50pm | Tradeshow & Networking
|
| 12:50 - 2:15pm |
Luncheon | Sponsored by University of Northern British Columbia Lunch Prayer - Elder Sandra, Snuneymuxw First Nation Á'a:líya (A'aliya) Warbus, MLA, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and House Leader, BC Conservative Caucus |
| 2:15pm | Conference Closing Remarks |