Conference Agenda

Agenda

2007 NWT Aboriginal Business Conference
Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife NT
October 16 – 18, 2007

Tuesday, October 16
2:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Youth Workshop
“Preparing to Participate”

Facilitator: Robb Campre, Vice-Chair, Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee

Guest Speakers

  • Te Taru White, Chief Executive, Te Puia , New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
  • Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band
7:00 p.m.

Reception
“Denendeh Development Corporation 25 th Anniversary Celebration “

Presentation

  • John Bekale, Chairman, Denendeh Development Corporation

Guest Speaker

  • Bill Erasmus, National Chief, Dene Nation

Entertainment

  • Chief Jimmy Bruneau School Hand Games Demonstration
  • Red Power Squad
  • Metis Fiddler Lee Mandeville

Wednesday, October 17
Co-chairs:

John Bekale, Chairman, Denendeh Development Corporation
Dave Tuccaro, Tuccaro Inc.
9:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremony

  • Opening Prayer and Drum Song
    • Yellowknives Dene First Nation Drummers
  • Welcoming Remarks
    • Chief Edward Sangris, Yellowknives Dene First Nation (Dettah)
    • Chief Fred Sangris, Yellowknives Dene First Nation (Ndilo)
    • Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, City of Yellowknife
  • Opening Remarks
    • John Bekale, Chairman, Denendeh Development Corporation
    • Darrell Beaulieu, President & Chief Executive Officer, Denendeh Investments Inc.
9:40 a.m.

Keynote Speaker

  • Te Taru White, Chief Executive, Te Puia, New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute

Keynote Speaker Recording Part 1 (14Mb MP3)
Keynote Speaker Recording Part 2 (14Mb MP3)
Keynote Speaker Recording Part 3 (14Mb MP3)
10:50 a.m.

Industry Panel: Economic Cooperation

  • Duane Mather, Director, Shehtah Nabors LP
  • Tom Hoefer, Manager, Communications and External Relations, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
  • Don Bubar, President & Chief Executive Officer, Avalon Ventures Ltd.

Moderator: Robert Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Manitoba Director for CANDO
12:00 p.m.

Lunch

  • Guest Speaker: Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Investment
1:30 p.m.

Presentation
“Tlicho Economic Structure”

  • Alex Nitsiza, Chairman, Tlicho Investment Corporation Board of Directors
  • Bertha Rabesca Zoe, Legal Counsel, Tlicho Government & Advisor, Tlicho Investment Corporation
2:15 p.m.

Business Development Workshops

  • Central Purchasing Power
    • Lewis Staats, President and CEO, Staats & Associates
  • Procurement
    • Mark Salkeld, Manager, Quality Assurance, Nabors Industries Inc.
  • Project Management
    • George Ehrler, Principal Manager, Ehrler Limousin & Associates
  • Understanding Community Economic Development
    • Robert Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Manitoba Director for CANDO
3:50 p.m. Northern Infrastructure Panel
  • Eugene Hodgson, Vice President, Western Region, Corpfinance International Limited: “Financing Hydro and Other Large Infrastructure Projects”
  • Bruce Jonasson, Associate, LPS Avia Consulting: “Airport Infrastructure”
  • Barrie Robb, Vice-President, Business Development, Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation: “Highways Infrastructure”

Moderator: Robert Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Manitoba Director for CANDO
5:00 p.m.

NWT Aboriginal Business Association 1st Annual General Meeting

  • Co-Chairs: Chief Charles Furlong, Aklavik Native Band
    Darrell Beaulieu, President & Chief Executive Officer, Denendeh Investments Inc.
6:00 p.m.

Northern Aboriginal Business Association Business After Hours Reception

  • Presentation: Chief Charles Furlong, Aklavik Native Band
  • Presentation: Darrell Beaulieu, President & Chief Executive Officer, Denendeh Investments Inc.
  • Guest Speaker: Honourable Joseph Handley, Premier

Thursday, October 18
Co-Chairs:

John Bekale, Chairman, Denendeh Development Corporation
JoAnne Deneron, Liard Valley General Store Ltd.
9:00 a.m.

Presentation
“East / West Working Together”

  • Fred Hunt, President & Chief Executive Officer, Nunasi Corporation

“North / South Working Together”

  • Robb Campre, Vice-Chair, Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee
9:30 a.m.

Presentation
“Communications Infrastructure”

  • Ryan Walker, Chief Executive Officer, SSI Micro
  • Mark Walker, President, Ardicom Digital Communications Inc. and Vice-President, Business Development, Northwestel
10:30 a.m.

Presentation
"Youth Perspective"

  • Chief Frederick Blake, Gwichya Gwich'in Band
11:10 a.m. Business Development Workshops
  • Central Purchasing Power
    • Lewis Staats, President & Chief Executive Officer, Staats & Associates
  • Procurement
    • Mark Salkeld, Manager, Quality Assurance, Nabors Industries Inc.
  • Project Management
    • George Ehrler, Principal Manager, Ehrler Limousin & Associates
  • Understanding Community Development
    • Robert Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Manitoba Director for CANDO
12:30 p.m.

Lunch

  • Guest Speaker: Trish Merrithew-Mercredi, Regional Director General, Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada, NWT
1:45 p.m. Exploration Panel: Aboriginal Participation
  • Wendy Mathison, Vice-President, Operations, Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.
  • Eira Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Stornoway Diamond Corporation
  • Andrew Loosely, Aboriginal Liaison, Aboriginal Affairs & Community Relations, Talisman Energy Inc.
  • Joseph Kochon, President, Ayoni Keh Land / Dugha Financial Corporation

Moderator: Robert Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Manitoba Director for CANDO
3:15 p.m.

Arrowmaker's Fine Traditional Art Gallery Ltd. Grand Draw
6:30 p.m.

ASCW Recognition and Awards Celebration Dinner

  • Co-hosted by Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic
10:00 p.m.
to midnight 		Drum Dance, Great Hall, Legislative Assembly