Eastern Indigenous Consultation & Engagement

Start the event with an exclusive meet and greet – where you can connect face-to-face with key speakers and fellow attendees. Seize this unique opportunity for early access to our faculty of experts and make meaningful connections before the conference begins!

Achieving economic reconciliation requires partnerships rooted in trust that deliver benefits beyond financial rewards. These partnerships must foster collaboration, mutual respect, and long-term sustainability. Topics of discussion will include:

• Reviewing the partnership strategies that were essential in closing a billion-dollar deal to acquire a significant stake in North America’s largest integrated seafood company
• Partnering with resource-sector business including forestry, mining, energy, construction, and tourism

Many Indigenous communities are eager to own and lead projects that drive economic development, but face challenges including limited capacity, funding gaps, workforce shortages, and the need for advanced expertise. This session will explore practical strategies to overcome these barriers and build lasting opportunities for growth.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining how Indigenous consultants may assist with capacity building
• Expanding financial knowledge in Indigenous communities
• Resourcing hiring needs for multiple employees to do complete consultations
• Managing funding efficiently to address staffing requirements
• Discussing how STEM education may assist with creating long-term capacity building

The federal government mandates that at least 5% of contract values go to Indigenous businesses to boost economic opportunities but is 5% enough for true reconciliation? While businesses must be 51% Indigenous-owned, leadership and decision-making roles are not required to be Indigenous.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Strategizing pathways to increase procurement contracts awarded to wholly owned Indigenous businesses
• Facilitating meaningful collaboration with industry partners seeking to expand their Indigenous procurement
• Reviewing the federal procurement requirements and exploring necessary reforms for equitable access

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Act and the duty to consult have helped involve Indigenous communities on issues pertaining to their Treaty rights – but at what cost? As nations continue to be inundated with consultation requests while building capacity, ‘consultation fatigue’ is becoming more prevalent. Meaningful engagement, involving multiple partners, offers a path to more effective consultations.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Discussing strategies for overcoming consultation fatigue
• Assessing how technology may be able maximize efficiency and improve response times
• Defining the role of government, proponents, and communities to prevent delays
• Overcoming information overload and defining where to prioritize

This fun and interactive showcase competition offers Indigenous-owned businesses a platform to present their innovative ventures to potential investors and industry leaders. Whit an expert panel selecting the winner and the audience choosing their favorite, this showcase highlights groundbreaking ideas while fostering meaningful connection and investment opportunities!

Indigenous youth are key to capacity building and advancing reconciliation in their communities. This session brings together emerging Indigenous leaders to share their perspectives on critical issues and strategies for creating a brighter future.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Sharing the apprenticeship and training programs that supported their success
• Creating advanced economic opportunities for Indigenous youth returning to their communities
• Addressing critical challenges like addiction, mental health, and suicide
• Strengthening youth leadership to drive community growth and innovation

Indigenous communities are increasingly driving economic development through ownership and partnerships with project proponents. However, access to capital and financial expertise remains a barrier to entry for new businesses. This session will explore solutions to overcome these challenges.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Outlining the process for submitting a successful project application
• Examining funding options available that require minimal assets
• Defining the role of lawyers and consultants in the ownership process
• Determining how the community can with proponents to minimize environmental impacts

Start the event with an exclusive meet and greet – where you can connect face-to-face with key speakers and fellow attendees. Seize this unique opportunity for early access to our faculty of experts and make meaningful connections before the main event!

Debuting in 2022, Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy aims to meet growing global demand amid supply shortages and geopolitical conflict. While mining supports over 11% of direct Indigenous jobs in Canada, critics argue the strategy lacks sufficient consultation and has yet to deliver the promised economic benefits for Indigenous communities.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining how the strategy may help to remove regulatory barriers from mining
• Debating how the strategy may help to ease the burden from U.S. tariffs by helping diversify Ontario’s economy
• Defining how Resource Revenue Sharing (RRS) agreements between the Ontario government and Indigenous communities are helping create economic development
• Outlining how the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) can assist with capacity building for consultation

Substance abuse and mental health crises continue to disproportionately affect Indigenous peoples – both on and off reserve, crating profound social and economic challenges.

An addictions and mental health specialist will share their harrowing story of addiction and battles with mental health and how they overcame these challenges. They will explore the urgent need for culturally informed solutions and community-driven initiatives to address these interconnected issues to help pave the way for healing and resilience.

Ontario’s updated Planning Act now requires municipalities to engage with treaty and Indigenous communities on all land planning decisions. This shift has posed challenges as municipalities work to understand duty-to-consult legislation and meet legal obligations.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Defining the consultation requirements for municipalities and the province of Ontario
• Comparing municipal Indigenous engagement policies across Canada to establish a benchmark for consultation
• Examining the role of Treaty rights vs. the rights as Indigenous person in an urban municipality

In November 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada set a landmark precedent by confirming that contracts between the Crown and Indigenous communities must uphold the honour of the Crown. The case highlighted Quebec’s breach of good faith in failing to negotiate funding with honour and integrity for an agreement to establish the Sécurité publique de Mashteuiatsh, an Indigenous police force. This decision will shape how future Crown contracts with Indigenous peoples are managed.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Understanding the Supreme Court’s definition of honour and integrity in Crown-Indigenous contract negotiations
• Exploring remedies for reconciliatory justice to resolve disputes effectively
• Drafting clear, enforceable agreements that withstand litigation challenges for dishonourable conduct

Labour shortages are challenging Indigenous communities striving to build capacity for consultation and meet residents’ needs. Promising federal initiatives, such as the IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples under Nòkwewashk (formerly NRCan’s Indigenous Affairs sector), are creating pathways to employment for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Successful apprentices are offered two-year contracts to continue their careers.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Addressing employment gaps through retraining and certification programs
• Assessing the benefits of Nòkwewashk, the IT Apprenticeship Program and other federal Indigenous employment programs
• Evaluating the potential for express hiring programs to accelerate capacity
• Discussing grant programs and opportunities in STEM for Indigenous youth

Land reclamation and remediation are providing Indigenous communities with new economic opportunities that were not previously available. Communities are capitalizing on their historical knowledge and environmental stewardship expertise to reclaim their nation’s lands and provide prosperity and greater health to their communities at large.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Examining ancestral reclamation strategies and how to conduct reclamation to its original purpose
• Showcasing successful reclamation projects with new water and power use
• Harnessing Indigenous and local knowledge for maximum efficiency
• Balancing environmental protection while achieving economic goals

These interactive roundtables offer attendees the chance to dive deep into key topics, gain valuable insights, and exchange ideas with peers. With expert-led discussions, participants will uncover actionable strategies and best practices critical to advancing consultation and engagement.

ROUNDTABLE #1: ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION
This roundtable will explore the importance of building strong and collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities for meaningful engagement and consultation to occur. Experts will share their insights on some of the key challenges with engagement and consultation and share why accommodation is becoming an essential part of the engagement and consultation process.

ROUNDTABLE #2: BALANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Economic development is important for Indigenous communities but creating economic prosperity while working with proponents to minimize environmental impacts can be challenging as not all community members agree on how to address the cumulative effects from development. This roundtable will examine how to balance economic development and the environment and will look at new models of economic development including reclamation and remediation.