Pre-Conference Workshop

Tuesday, December 2

9:00am – 4:00pm

Understanding Mitigation and Development costs in Wildfire Planning
Lucas Davenport, ASP, Senior Risk Control Consultant, Tribal First
Gord Parker, Structure Protection Specialist, WASP Wildfire
Randy Cowling, President, WASP Wildfire
Tim Leech, First Vice President, Director of Risk Control Consulting Alliant/Tribal First Insurance
Craig Moore, President, Rider Ventures
Neal Thunder Chief, Regional Lead, JS Held
Buffy Mills, Acera Insurance 

A day of in-depth discussion focusing on providing the most up to date tools, strategies and resources to both mitigate and recover from catastrophic wildfire loss in community.

Conference Day 1

Wednesday, December 3

8:00 am

Registration/Full Breakfast/Exhibits

9:00 am

Opening Comments: Barbara Joe, President, AFOA BC
Traditional Welcome: Elder Bob Baker, Squamish Nation

9:15 am

Smart Investing and Avoiding Investment Fraud in Uncertain times
Chelsea Siler, Manager of Investor Education & Engagement, BCSC
Ken Gracey, Manager of Corporate Communications, BCSC

Join the BC Securities Commission’s Chelsea Siler and Ken Gracey to learn how to spot fraud, make informed investment decisions, and protect your financial future. Gain practical tips to recognize, reject, and report scams — including AI and crypto fraud — and learn how the BCSC safeguards investors and communities across B.C.

10:15 am

Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Intros

10:30 am

Strategies and Insights to Navigating Post Catastrophic Wildfire Loss Recovery
Moderators:
Scott Sauders, President, AFN Insurance Brokers Inc.
Morly Bishop, Acera Insurance
Panelists:
Neal Thunder Chief, Regional Lead, JS Held
Lucas Davenport, ASP, Senior Risk Control Consultant, Tribal First
Craig Moore, President, Rider Ventures
Brent Serediak FCIP, FRM, B.Admin, Executive General Insurance Adjuster
Tim Leech, First Vice President, Director of Risk Control Consulting Alliant/Tribal First Insurance

What does Navigating post Catastrophic Wildfire Loss and Recovery actually look like, what is happening during the days, weeks, and months post incident. Who is involved and how can you be prepared if the worst occurs.

12:00 pm

Lunch and Band Admin Award
Sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton

1:15 pm

Before It’s Too Late: Navigating Estate Risks for Indigenous Communities
Yogesh Bhathella, Partner, Tax Services, Doane Grant Thornton LLP

Join Tax Partner, Yogesh Bhathella, who will explore estate planning considerations for Indigenous business owners—a delicate balance of cultural norms, legal frameworks, and reserve land realities. In times of crisis, safeguarding assets and minimizing tax burdens is critical. Learn strategies to honor tradition while mitigating financial risk for on- and off-reserve communities.

  2:15 pm

Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Intros

  2:45 pm

Indigenous Fiscal Tools Web Tool: Empowering First Nations Financial Governance
Justin Jimmy, Urban Cree Consulting/AFOA Canada

This interactive session will highlight the progress and development of the revised First Nations Fiscal Planning Webtool, a modernized and user-focused resource webtool for First Nations and Indigenous organizations. This session will outline key milestones achieved so far and the next steps toward delivering this innovative web-based fiscal planning tool. Participants will have the opportunity to share their insights and suggestions, ensuring the tool meets the unique needs of First Nations communities. Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the next phase of development.

3:15 pm

What really matters: Reflections on Service, Leadership and Legacy
Cori Maedel, Jouta Performance Group

4:00 pm

Conference Adjournment

4:00 pm – 6:00pm

President’s Reception

Foyer & Exhibitor Hall

Conference Day 2

Thursday, December 4

8:00 am

Registration/Full Breakfast/Exhibits

9:00 am

Opening Comments: Wendy Ham, Executive Director, AFOA BC

9:15am

The Mental Health Impact of Crisis in Community
Moderator:  Buffy Mills, Acera Insurance
Panelists:
Celeta Marie Cook, Executive Director, Public Health Response, FNHA
Leslie Varley, VP, Indigenous Partnerships, Interior Health Authority

10:30am  

Refreshments & Exhibitors

10:45am

The 4 Pillars of Emergency Management: Supporting BC’s First Nations Communities
Matt Nelson, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society

As an organization dedicated to supporting First Nations communities, FNESS delivers comprehensive emergency management services. We guide communities through the 4 Pillars of Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery, ensuring solutions integrate both traditional knowledge and modern practices.

12:00 pm

Lunch and Best Practices Award

1:00 pm

TBD – AFOA Canada Update

Carol Reimer, AFOA BC

1:45 pm

Emergency Management: Is Your Finance Team Prepared for Evacuation?
Jenn Schofield, Partner, Indigenous Services, MNP
Adam Taylor, Partner, Enterprise Risk Services, MNP

Is your finance team ready when crisis hits? MNP Partners Adam Taylor and Jenn Schofield will share practical strategies to help Indigenous governments and organizations strengthen financial resilience, ensuring critical systems stay operational, decisions remain clear, and recovery efforts can begin the moment an evacuation is called.

2:30 pm

Closing remarks, AFOA BC Draw Prizes, Conference Adjournment