Pre-Conference Workshop

Tuesday, March 10

1:00pm-
4:00pm

Emerging Risks & Best Practices: Community Insights for Today’s Operating Environment
HUB International

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:
Traditional Welcome: Morgan Guerin, Musqueam

9:00 am

KEYNOTE – Title TBD
Royal Bank of Canada 

10:15 am

Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Intros

10:45 am

Current Employment Issues Facing Indigenous Communities
Ascent Employment Law

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
Patrick Giesbrecht, Key Principal & Owner, Giesbrecht & Company

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
Humanity Financial

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
Cantatus Systems Group, Inc.

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
• What “digital transformation” actually means for Indigenous organizations (beyond just buying software)
• Why modernization is now a governance requirement and not an optional IT project
• The real risks of staying manual (audit issues, weak controls, lack of visibility, decision-making delays)
• Practical best practices for strengthening controls, accountability, and reporting
• A real-world case study / fireside chat with a Nation to share lessons learned and what worked in practice

  2:15 pm

Refreshment Break

  2:30 pm

All Breakouts Cont’d

4:00 pm

Conference Adjournment

4:00 pm –
6:00 pm

President’s Reception
Ballroom Foyer 

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
Jennifer Hufnagel, Principal, Hufnagel Consulting

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

PANEL – To Be Confirmed 

12:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm

Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Repeat of Day One sessions

BREAKOUT #1: Reasserting Land Use Jurisdiction in Unceded Territory: Unlocking Economic and Stewardship Opportunity
Patrick Giesbrecht, Key Principal & Owner, Giesbrecht & Company

BREAKOUT #2: In Times of Uncertainty, Building Reliable Financial Capacity Matters
Humanity Financial

BREAKOUT #3: Digital Transformation for Indigenous Governance: Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Controls and Reduce Risk
Cantatus Systems Group, Inc.

  2:15 pm

Refreshment Break

  2:30 pm

All Breakouts Cont’d

4:00 pm

Conference Adjournment