CONFERENCE CHAIRS

Darrell Beaulieu

Darrell Beaulieu

Darrell Beaulieu is a well-known national Indigenous business leader. He was appointed President and CEO of Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII) and Denendeh group of companies in October 2005. DII is the General Partner of Denendeh Investments Limited Partnership (DILP) which holds investments on behalf of all the NWT Dene First Nations in Mineral Exploration, Communications Infrastructure Logistics, Power Generation and Supply, Food Supply and Real Estate.  He also serves as President and CEO of Denendeh Development Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation whose members are the 27 Chiefs of the Dene Nation.  DDC owns 50% of the NWT Metis Dene Development Fund, which provides developmental lending to NWT businesses.

Dave Tuccaro

Dave Tuccaro

Dave Tuccaro is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, and president and CEO of seven successful companies. He is a leader in creating opportunities for indigenous people at every level of education, employment, and community social and business development. His wide contributions and experience have been recognized in numerous national and provincial awards. He is very active in communities and has sat on the Board of the Regional Health Authority, the Alberta Chamber of Resources, the National Task Force on Aboriginal Development Financing, and contributed as a member of the National Task Force on Oilsands Strategies. As well, he spearheaded the formation of the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, is the past President of the National Aboriginal Business Association, and sits as a director of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Dave’s expertise includes community and economic development, business negotiation, and large scale natural resource development. Dave can help communities and corporations achieve social and economic success.

Chief Billy Morin Nahtokitopi

Chief Billy Morin Nahtokitopi

Chief Billy Morin Nahtokitopi (Sacred Rider) was elected as the youngest Chief in Enoch Cree Nation’s modern history in 2015, and served three consecutive terms leading one of Alberta’s most progressive indigenous nations. Chief Morin has been a strong advocate for working together with all governments, sectors and Canadians; as was the original spirit and intent of Treaty Six. This culminated with his appointed as Grand Chief of the 17 First Nations of the Confederacy of Treaty Six in 2020; a position responsible to be the voice for a population of nearly 80,000 First Nations people in the region. 

Language and identity have formed the foundation for all things in Billy’s time as Chief, including most fittingly, winning the RFP to build the first orthopedic surgical center on, and owned by a First Nation in Canada – a project rooted in the Land of Medicines name. Furthermore, Chief Morin has championed new business partnerships in commercial development, infrastructure, gaming, carbon capture, Hydrogen, gas and utilities for Enoch, and local First Nations. 

Most recently he was named as special advisor on Indigenous Relations for Premier Danielle Smith. Finally, he also is a Managing Director at Axxcelus Capital Advisory, where his mission is to build bridges between capital debt markets and Indigenous communities for the purpose of equity ownership at levels never achieved before. 

SPEAKERS

THE HONOURABLE PIERRE POILIEVRE

THE HONOURABLE PIERRE POILIEVRE

Pierre Poilievre is the leader of Canada’s Conservatives and is current Leader of the Opposition. He is a life-long conservative, champion of a free market, and fighter for people taking ownership of and responsibility for their own futures.

Pierre has been elected to seven terms by the people of Carleton, and is proud to serve as their Member of Parliament. In government, Pierre served as a trusted senior minister in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet.

Pierre became Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition in September 2022, and is running to be the Prime Minister of Canada. He believes in a country where the state is servant, not master. Where smaller government makes room for bigger citizens. Where people have the freedom to build a business without red tape and heavy tax.

To make room for personal freedom and responsibility, he believes in limiting government. He has been one of the loudest voices in the past several years fighting out-of-control deficit spending and tax increases, as Liberal addiction to debt became a crisis.

Pierre was one of the first voices to predict the inflation crisis that this country faces, pointing out that the sharp increases represent an “inflation tax”, a sneaky way for governments to raise money by raising prices for the people. Today, more than half of families in Canada say they struggle just to feed themselves.

Chief Roy Whitney

Chief Roy Whitney

Chief Roy Whitney is well-known nationally as a leader who has moved forward to diversify the economy of the Tsuut’ina Nation (including several energy-related initiatives). With his Council, he has taken steps to preserve and continue the identity, culture, traditions, and language of the Tsuut’ina People.

Chief Whitney has advanced economic development, most notably the Grey Eagle Hotel and Event Centre, which has become one of Alberta’s most successful casinos. One of his proudest accomplishments was the signing of the South West Calgary Ring Road deal with the Alberta government. The economic opportunities this project provides funds education, policing, and social programs on the Tsuut’ina Nation for current and  future generations.


Chief Whitney enjoys spending close time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He has a special connection with Tsuut’ina Elders and knows the importance they hold within our community to guide our youth on a path that keeps Tsuut’ina culture, history, and language alive.

Theresa Tait Day

Theresa Tait Day

Theresa Tait Day is a We’tsuwet’en hereditary chief. She sits at the Wetsuwet’en Chiefs table as Wihaliyt’e (Big Medicine) and there helps guide negotiations with government and industry, and has worked to re-establish Wetsuwet’en traditional decision-making and governance. She is also the Regional Outreach Coordinator for British Columbia on the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, and has been positive force for sensible economic development in northern British Columba.

John Helin

John Helin

John Helin is the former two-term chief of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation and past Vice President of Eagle Spirit Energy, and a board member of various corporations. He has extensive experience and knowledge in community development issues and resource development negotiations. In particular he led a group of experts negotiating a multi-billion package for his community in the energy sector. He can assist communities and corporations in social and economic development projects, community consultations, and environmental issues. As a scion of an ancient family of hereditary chiefs and matriarchs, John enjoys an excellent reputation in Indigenous communities, industry, and all levels of government.

THE HONOURABLE RICK WILSON

THE HONOURABLE RICK WILSON

Minister Wilson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 16, 2019, as the MLA for Maskwacîs-Wetaskiwin. He was sworn in as minister of Indigenous Relations on April 30, 2019. He has an extensive background in community politics and the agricultural sector. He brings his rich life experience and dedication to Alberta’s First Nations to the portfolio, and remains focused on reconciliation, consultation, and ensuring that Alberta’s First Nations are partners in the prosperity of the province.

HEATHER EXNER-PIROT

HEATHER EXNER-PIROT

Heather Exner-Pirot has almost twenty years of experience in Indigenous and Arctic economic development and governance. She has published on  Indigenous economic and resource development, energy security, Arctic human security, regional Arctic governance and the Arctic Council, Arctic innovation, urban reserves, telehealth, Indigenous workforce development, First Nations taxation and own source revenues,  distributed & distance education, and Indigenous health care. She is the Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute in Ottawa, Research Advisor to the Indigenous Resource Network,  a Global Fellow at the Wilson Centre in Washington D.C. and Principal Consultant at Morris Interactive, a consulting firm based out of Saskatoon, where I work with First Nations and Métis organizations.

ROBERT MERASTY

ROBERT MERASTY

Robert Merasty was appointed executive director at the Indigenous Resource Network in February 2022. He served as Chief of his home community of Flying Dust Cree Nation and held the political office as Second Vice Chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations for the 74 First Nations of Saskatchewan. 

LANA EAGLE

LANA EAGLE

Lana Eagle is a widely respected Indigenous relations strategist with directorships in many of Canada’s most prestigious mining organizations. She has extensive experience helping Indigenous groups build sustainable communities and economies in partnership with the mineral exploration and mining industries. As a member of the Whitecap Dakota Nation she honours her father’s legacy through understanding and appreciating people that are part of the mining industry.

MICHAEL FOX

MICHAEL FOX

Michael Fox is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development and has an MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise. He is a Certified Professional Facilitator, a certified Change Management Practitioner, and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. He’s a believer in higher education and has taught university courses to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. He’s originally from Weenusk First Nation and has twin sons and a daughter. He is currently a candidate for a doctorate degree in business administration.

REGGIE DAVID NEEPOSH

REGGIE DAVID NEEPOSH

Reggie David Neeposh is a member of the Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation and has excellent leadership skills and is an effective communicator. He has served as Vice-Chairman for both the Board of Compensation/CREECO Inc. & Cree School Board under the James Bay Crees of Northern Quebec. He also served one term for 4 years as Chief of the Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation and a member of the Cree Nation Government Executive Committee.  Reggie is presently the Liaison Officer of the La Grande Alliance under the Cree Development Corporation of the Cree Nation Government and serves as a consultant with Maamuu Consulting & an advisor for the Canadian Black Directorate and other groups.

 

Reggie and his wife, Louise, have been married since 1984. They are the proud parents of three adult children; Janis, Chris and Kim and have one granddaughter, Versailles.

Doris Hiam-Galvez

Doris Hiam-Galvez

Doris Hiam-Galvez is a Senior Advisor at Hatch, she is also Board Director for PDAC & Chair for CIMBC22.

Doctor in Metallurgy. She has broad senior level experience in technical organizations &  in developing new business globally focused on value creation.

With Hatch for 16 yrs creating new and innovative business to expand the company in new regions (Australia, South America, Europe & North America). She managed Hatch Europe & Hatch Peru.

Before joining Hatch she was Chief Technology Officer for Novelis, a major global metal manufacturer. She was a Board Director of the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce in London

Working with clients around the world who were struggling with sustainability inspired her to develop “Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP)”a new way of doing business which leaves behind a positive sustainable economy with an improved environment.

Shannin Metatawabin

Shannin Metatawabin

Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), is Cree/Inninow from Fort Albany First Nation of the Mushkegowuk Nation. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation and the Manager of Aboriginal Affairs and Sustainability with De Beers Canada.

Shannin defines himself as an economic development empowermentor that thrives on project management, organizational efficiency, business development, and community consultation. He has assisted over 300 businesses start-ups and expansions, both urban and rural. His driving passion is to increase community capacity and sustainability for there to be ongoing prosperity for the next 7 generations. 

Shannin holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Carleton University and an Aboriginal Economic Development certificate from the University of Waterloo. 

Within the 5 year strategic mandate with NACCA Shannin has facilitated the achievement of attracting 500M in new programming for the network. This includes a new 150M Indigenous Growth Fund, new women’s programming, renewed Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Programming support, the introduction of a national Indigenous Prosperity Forum, new procurement services, purchase of a new building to facilitate future sustainability of the organization and the launch of a new charitable foundation

Eva Clayton

Eva Clayton

Eva Clayton holds the Office of President for the Nisga’a Nation. Eva became the 7th elected President of the Nisg̱a’a Nation, and the first female Nisga’a to hold this prestigious position in a regular election on November 2, 2016. She was re-elected in 2020 for a further four year term.

Eva’s public service to the Nisg̱a’a Nation spans decades in various administrative and political capacities.

Her employment history began with the Nisg̱a’a Tribal Council (NTC) in 1982 as Secretary (now known as Executive Assistants). While working with the NTC. Eva had the privilege of working closely with the many leaders of the day including the lates Dr. Frank Calder, James Gosnell, Rod Robinson to name a few, while they were actively negotiating what would become the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement.

Eva became the first female Nisga’a Chief Councilor for the New Aiyansh (now Gitlax̱t’aamiks ) Village Government from 2004-2008, prior to this, she held various terms as Councilor for the then Gitlax̱t’aamiks Band Council and now Gitlax̱t’aamiks Village Government. While Chief Councilor for New Aiyansh, Eva also served as Chair to the NLG Programs & Services Committee and has also represented her village government on the Finance Committee.

In the days leading up to the effective date of the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement, Eva chaired the Nisga’a Ratification Committee. A committee that was responsible for overseeing the ratification of the Nisga’a Final Agreement.

JON HORSMAN

JON HORSMAN

Jon Horsman is the former CEO of ATB Capital Markets and Senior Executive Vice President of Business for ATB Financial. Jon was with ATB for nearly 19 years and in his last role as a senior executive of ATB Financial, Jon led the service offering for ATB’s small, medium, and large corporate business clients. Jon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Gonzaga University and a Master of Business Administration from the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta

Jon has worked with indigenous communities throughout his career by providing financing and advice for many indigenous communities and projects. In his last role, Jon was the executive responsible for ATB Financials’ indigenous team, who helped ATB establish a path to PAR certification and were a specialized group focused on the financial needs of small and medium sized indigenous communities and businesses. Highlights in the last few years include ATB providing a significant share of AIOC financing and the joint publication with MNP of the first ever economic analysis on the contributions of indigenous peoples in Alberta, the report was called Opening the door to Opportunity.  

Michael Binnion

Michael Binnion

Michael Binnion (Board Chair) is the President and founding shareholder of Questerre Energy, a public oil and gas production company operating in Quebec. Questerre and its predecessor Terrenex have been pioneers in natural gas exploration in Quebec for the last twenty years. They are currently working on their social license to commercialize the Utica shale gas discovery in the Lowlands.

Mr. Binnion is a long-time believer in the deep natural gas potential of Quebec. He acquired the current land position held by Questerre in 1998 based on new geological ideas and has brought in the industry partners that participated in the giant Utica shale discovery on Questerre’s land in 2008.

Mr. Binnion is a seasoned entrepreneur with a history of starting, financing and managing companies, primarily in the oil and gas sector. From 1996 to 2000 he was President of CanArgo Energy, one of the first Western companies to engage in oil and gas exploration in the Republic of Georgia.  CanArgo played an active role in helping introduce legislation and a regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry in the country.

Mr. Binnion was founder and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Flowing Energy Corp., a junior exploration and production company, from June 1996 to December 2001 and Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2004. From 1992 to 1997 he was Executive Director of Crossfield House Inc., a private merchant banking firm. From 1988 to 1992 he was a minority shareholder and manager of a private investment company that held interests in commercial real estate and golf courses. Prior thereto he was Manager in the High Tech group at Clarkson Gordon, a division of Ernst & Young, specializing in tax-assistant financings. Mr. Binnion served as Chairman of the Board of Sylogist Ltd. from March 2000 to February 2002. He served as a Director of Sylogist Ltd. from March 1997 to November 2006. He was a founder and Director of Magnus Energy, Inc. from March 4, 2005 to November 2007. Mr. Binnion serves as Chairman of High Arctic Energy Services Inc. as well as the Canada Strong and Free Network.

Mr. Binnion is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Alberta.

Recognized internationally for his expertise in shale gas exploration and development, he presents at numerous conferences each year.

TICKETS

Indigenous Rate
DELEGATE PASS

$990
/person

Full Access to Conference Program
  • Coffee & Refreshments
  • Catered Lunch (Day 1 & Day 2)
  • 1:1 Networking
  • Invitation to Opening Night Reception
  • On-demand Access to Sessions
Regular Rate
DELEGATE PASS

$1290
/person

Full Access to Conference Program
  • Coffee & Refreshments
  • Catered Lunch (Day 1 & Day 2)
  • 1:1 Networking
  • Invitation to Opening Night Reception
  • On-demand Access to Session
Corporate Rate
4 DELEGATE PASSES

$3960
Save $1200

Full Access to Conference Program
  • Coffee & Refreshments
  • Catered Lunch (Day 1 & Day 2)
  • 1:1 Networking
  • Invitation to Opening Night Reception
  • On-demand Access to Sessions
Corporate Rate
10 DELEGATE PASSES

$8990
Save $4000

Full Access to Conference Program
  • Coffee & Refreshments
  • Catered Lunch (Day 1 & Day 2)
  • 1:1 Networking
  • Invitation to Opening Night Reception
  • On-demand Access to Sessions

BOOK YOUR SPECIAL GROUP RATE FOR

INDIGENOUS NEXUS 2023

 Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel

212 CAD per night

Start Date: Sunday, January 22, 2023
End Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Last Day to Book: Monday, January 2, 2023
 

Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
110 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5A6, Canada
+14032667331

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