2024 Panels
Vision for the future – Landmark Forestry Agreement
Ted Nash, Regional Forestry Negotiator, Nanwakolas Council
Deputy Minister Tom McCarthy, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Steven Hofer, President and CEO, Western Forest Products
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Fireside Chat – Learning Through Partnership
Dr. Deborah Saucier, President, Vancouver Island University
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President Nanwakolas Council
Watershed Restoration and the Restoration Economy
Jordan Point, Executive Director, First Nations Fisheries Council
Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Restoration, Government of BC
Michael Meneer, President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation
Moderator: Barb Dinning, Marine Planning Coordinator, Nanwakolas Council
Progressive Indigenous Business Relationships
Gaby Wickstrom, General Manager, Namgis Business Development Corp
Gary Wilson, Chief Executive and Director of Economic Development, Tiičma Enterprises
Kevin Jules, Economic Development Officer, Tiičma Enterprises
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Navigating ESG – Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities at the West Moberly Corporate Alliance
Rob Diaz, Senior Business Specialist, West Moberly Corporate Alliance
Sharon Singh, Partner, Co-Head of Aboriginal Law, Bennett Jones
Ange-Aimée Quesnel, Project Manager, Landmark Resource Management
Lisa Risvold, Vice President, Indigenous and Community Affairs, Conuma Resources
Moderator: Kory Wilson, Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT
Fireside Chat – Triple, Venti, Soy, No Foam Latte – We Wai Kai’s Business Successes
Chief Ronnie Chickite, We Wai Kai First Nation
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Fireside Chat – Indigenous Approaches to Forest Oversight
Keith Atkinson, Chair, BC Forest Practices Board
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President Nanwakolas Council
Sustainable Future: Collaboration and Innovation in Coastal Aquaculture
Deputy Chief Councilor Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation
Larry Johnson, President, Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood
David Kiemele, Managing Director, Cermaq Canada
Dr. Diane Morrison, Managing Director, Mowi Canada West
Moderator: Brian Kingzett, Executive Director, BC Salmon Farmers Association
Energizing Change: Charting a Path for Electrification through Strong Indigenous Partnerships
Chief Chris Roberts, Wei Wai Kum First Nation
Hon. Josie Osborne, BC Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation
Chris O’Riley, CEO, BC Hydro
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Indigenous Stewardship and Leadership
Alexandra Thomas, Forestry Stewardship Project Coordinator, Nanwakolas Council
Christine Roberts, Archaeologist, Wei Wai Kum First Nation
Sharon Marshall, Indigenous Corporate Lead, Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development
Moderator: Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Iskum Investments: Self-directed Consortium of 20+ First Nations Building a Sustainable Future in the Forest Sector
Robert Dennis Sr., Former Chief Councillor, Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Brena Robinson, Councillor, Lyackson First Nation
John Jack, Chief Councillor, Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council
Moderator: Amanda Munro, Partner, Munro Thompson Communications