2026 Indigenous Governance Conference
Agenda
March 10 - 12, 2026
Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel | Richmond, BC
Pre-Conference Workshop | Tuesday, March 10 |
1:00pm- | Emerging Risks & Best Practices: Community Insights for Today’s Operating Environment In this session, HUB will explore emerging risks and evolving challenges facing organizations today. Topics will include cybersecurity threats and preparedness, the growing use of artificial intelligence and associated governance and risk considerations, and recent changes to employment standards and regulatory requirements. The session will also examine emerging workforce trends, with a focus on strategies to attract, engage, and retain employees in a competitive and rapidly changing labour market. Participants will gain practical insights to help anticipate risks, strengthen organizational resilience, and inform proactive decision-making. |
Conference Day 1 | Wednesday, March 11 |
8:00 am | Registration/Full Breakfast/Exhibits |
8:45 am | Opening Comments: |
9:00 am | From Impact Benefits to Ownership: Indigenous M&A Strategies This presentation explores strategic pathways for Indigenous communities to achieve economic sovereignty through business ownership. It explains why these opportunities suit Indigenous investors. It delves into practical implementation, focusing on mid-market acquisitions, through a real-world case study illustrating the end-to-end M&A process, financing, and post-acquisition integration. |
10:15 am | Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Intros |
10:45 am | Current Employment Issues Facing Indigenous Communities This presentation provides an overview of employment issues currently affecting Indigenous communities and organizations, including governance dynamics, leadership change, and employee impacts. The session draws on practical experience working with Indigenous communities. |
12:00 pm | Lunch |
1:00 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions BREAKOUT #1: Reasserting Land Use Jurisdiction in Unceded Territory: Unlocking Economic and Stewardship Opportunity This session explores how First Nations are reasserting land use jurisdiction on unceded territory to advance economic development, stewardship, and long-term community wellbeing. Drawing on real-world experience, we examine current challenges facing communities and what meaningful consultation looks like in practice, highlighting how respectful engagement creates certainty and shared opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. BREAKOUT #2: In Times of Uncertainty, Building Reliable Financial Capacity Matters Many First Nations are navigating growing financial pressure—uncertain funding, increasing compliance demands, staff turnover, and rising expectations from governments and funders. In this three-hour session, Humanity Financial introduces the Five Stages of Financial Wellness, a practical framework designed for these realities. Explore how financial wellness is not just about what exists, but what is reliable under pressure. Learn how to shift from reactive person-dependent finance toward reliable, shared, and community aligned financial decision making. BREAKOUT #3: Digital Transformation for Indigenous Governance: Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Controls and Reduce Risk This interactive workshop will explore what digital transformation truly means in an Indigenous governance and finance context, and why modernization is no longer optional for long-term accountability and sustainability. Through live polling, group discussion, a guided workbook, and real-world case study examples, delegates will leave empowered with practical steps they can take back to their Nation to strengthen controls, reduce risk, and improve decision-making. What the Workshop Will Cover |
2:15 pm | Refreshment Break |
2:30 pm | All Breakouts Cont’d |
4:00 pm | Conference Adjournment |
4:00 pm – | President’s Reception |
Conference Day 2 | Thursday, March 12 |
8:00 am | Registration/Full Breakfast/Exhibits |
9:00 am | Opening Comments: |
9:15 am | KEYNOTE – AI, Leadership, and Learning Together: Why Understanding AI Now Matters Across Governance, Finance, and Administration AI is increasingly present in finance, governance, and economic development. This session explains current uses of AI, considers risks and opportunities for Indigenous communities and businesses, and discusses practical, responsible ways organizations and Nations are beginning to work with these tools. |
10:30 am | Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Intros |
10:45 am | From Turnover to Self-Determination: Why Leadership Stability Requires Moving Beyond the Indian Act Drawing on doctoral research and applied work with the Centre for First Nations Governance and the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project, this keynote examines why executive and band manager turnover persists under the Indian Act and how exercising inherent self-government creates the conditions for sustainable leadership and stronger governance systems. |
12:00 pm | Lunch |
1:00 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions BREAKOUT #1: Reasserting Land Use Jurisdiction in Unceded Territory: Unlocking Economic and Stewardship Opportunity BREAKOUT #2: In Times of Uncertainty, Building Reliable Financial Capacity Matters BREAKOUT #3: Digital Transformation for Indigenous Governance: Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Controls and Reduce Risk
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2:15 pm | Refreshment Break |
2:30 pm | All Breakouts Cont’d |
4:00 pm | Conference Adjournment |