Agenda
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Day 1 — Main Conference
September 22, 2026
Registrations and breakfast
Land Acknowledgement and Greetings from Canadian Institute
Dale SwampyFounder and DirectorNational Coalition of Chiefs
Natural resources can be found under multiple Nations. Pipelines traverse large geographic areas that require permissions from multiple communities. In some circumstances, there are capacity gaps between Nations with robust Economic Development and Consultation Departments and those who don’t. A coalition may be a way to balance that gap.
Topics of Discussion:
- Learning how you can capitalize on the experience of the National Coalition of Chiefs
- Understanding the benefits of entering into a coalition
- Determining the details of coalition agreements
- Deciphering if a coalition is the right path for your Nation
- Obtaining economies of scale
- Realizing the allure of a coalition to a proponent
Scott AlanenSenior Vice PresidentAlberta Indigenous Opportunities Fund
Steve BernaManaging Director and Director of Indigenous RelationsNational Bank of Canada
Booker CorneaAssociate Vice President Marketing and Shareholder EngagementFirst Nations Bank of Canada
Clint DavisCEOCedar Leaf Capital
Ted BauerDirector Indigenous RelationsAlberta Counsel
Any good plan needs the money to make it a reality. You will be introduced to established sources of capital to support Indigenous Economic Reconciliation and self-determination. This includes options for various types of partnerships and sources of capitalization to make project development go from concept to production.
Topics of Discussion:
- Acquiring insights into various sources of funding
- Ascertaining the benefits of loan guarantees and their parameters.
- Understanding what your Nation needs from investors
- Realizing what investors want from your Nation
- Grasping the size of investments required
Robert WilliamsonEnergy Analyst-FounderIndigenous Energy Monitor
Canada’s next wave of major nation-building projects is increasingly dependent on Indigenous participation, yet Indigenous equity ownership remains poorly understood due to fragmented and inconsistent data. As projects grow larger, more complex, and more capital-intensive, this information gap creates material risks for investors, policymakers, and project proponents. This session clarifies where Indigenous ownership stands today—and why the existing ecosystem is misaligned with Canada’s future infrastructure needs.
Topics of Discussion:
- Understand the state of Indigenous equity ownership in Canada.
- Examine the gaps limiting Indigenous participation in major projects.
- Explore how incomplete information affects investment decisions, partnerships, policy, and execution.
- Gain data-driven insights from the most comprehensive national view of Indigenous equity ownership to date.
Luncheon
Travis BalaskiPresidentInuvialuit Energy Security Project
Sean KinmonthCEOChieftain Energy
Dave LamouchePresidentMetis Settlements General Council
Hillary ThatcherExecutive Vice-President, Indigenous InfrastructureCanadian Infrastructure Bank
From natural resource to refined solution, some Nations are considering the benefits of being their own developer. It starts with knowing what assets your community holds and being able to oversee every step of development to supervise the process. It’s an enviable concept but what does it take to achieve success. You will hear from those who are creating their own destinies.
Topics of Discussion:
- Discovering the path from earth to market
- Learning lessons already experienced from operations underway
- Understanding when your Nation can have oversight and when it needs outside expertise
- Ascertain the benefits of complete management as well as the drawbacks
- Realize the potential risks of going it alone
Stanislav StoyanovSenior Research ScientistCanmetENERGY
Natural Resources Canada
One area of concern that comes up when development in the Oil, Gas and LNG sector is mentioned is the environment. Protecting the land, water and a traditional way of life can be done in concert with economic development. You will learn about these ongoing efforts and how they can mean generations to come will enjoy the ecosystems of today.
Topics of Discussion:
- Integrating a project development plan with Nation-specific priorities
- Outlining the latest protections for ecosystems
- Understanding how Economic Development and Protections work together
- Balancing project development, and environmental protection with market pressures
Conference Adjourns to Day 2
Day 2 — Main Conference
September 23, 2026
Registrations and breakfast
Land Acknowledgement and Greetings from Canadian Institute
Doing Business the Right Way: What Global Partners Must Know Before Working With Indigenous Communities
Delanie BulldogIndigenous Partnerships DirectorPower Wood Canada Corporation
Reg PottsPresident and Principal ConsultantReg Potts and Associates
International proponents need to understand that a preconceived idea of an Indigenous community has many realities. There are First Nations, Metis and Inuit, to start and each of those communities contains many cultures, languages, and traditions. Those wanting to do business should be prepared to experience those differences to form a long-lasting alliance. You will learn the importance of respectful and meaningful engagement.
Topics of Discussion:
- Immersing in community life and cultural protocol to earn trust authentically
- Respecting place and geography to inform timelines, travel, and meeting design
- Prioritizing in-person contact and continuity to strengthen long-term partnerships
- Recognizing diversity among Nations, communities, and urban Indigenous populations
Austin AhenakewCEO Economic DevelopmentRed Pheasant Cree Nation
Donna St. LouisNational Lead, Indigenous Business, Inclusive TradeExport Development Canada (EDC)
Tyson MohrbutterPresident and General ManagerL and L Oilfield Construction
Dylan SmithManager, Business DevelopmentFirst Nations Bank of Canada
In a landmark move, Red Pheasant Cree Nation acquired a 70% stake in L&L Oilfield Construction with financing from First Nations Bank of Canada and support from Export Development Canada. The deal highlights the growing power of Indigenous capital and strategic partnerships to accelerate ownership, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.
Join financing leaders at the forefront of Indigenous business growth as they unpack the financing strategy behind this transformative acquisition. Learn how Indigenous Nations are leveraging capital, partnerships, and innovative financing solutions to pursue major ownership opportunities, create jobs, build community wealth, and strengthen economic sovereignty in the energy sector and beyond.
Topics of Discussion:
- Understanding how major Indigenous-led acquisitions are structured and financed.
- Exploring the complementary roles of Indigenous financial institutions and export credit agencies in supporting Indigenous ownership.
- Identifying key success factors and common challenges when pursuing acquisition opportunities.
- Learning how business ownership can advance community wealth creation, economic sovereignty, and long-term prosperity.
- Gain practical insights for developing acquisition strategies and accessing capital for future projects.
Morning Break and Refreshments
David SchenkInstructorSaskatchwan Polytechnic
Indigenous Nations across Western Canada are moving beyond participation agreements to become significant owners of energy infrastructure assets. From utility-scale wind and solar projects to transmission lines and power generation facilities, Indigenous equity ownership is growing through innovative financing models, loan guarantees, and long-term power purchase agreements that support meaningful wealth creation and self-determination. Based on emerging developments in Saskatchewan and Alberta, this session explores how Indigenous communities are securing larger ownership stakes, influencing project governance, and creating sustainable own-source revenue for future generations.
Participants will examine successful ownership models, compare provincial approaches to Indigenous participation, and identify the policy, financing, and partnership strategies that are making majority Indigenous ownership increasingly achievable across Canada’s energy sector.
Topics of Discussion:
- Assessing current trends and opportunities in Indigenous equity ownership across Canada’s energy sector
- Identifying financing tools and loan guarantee programs that support Indigenous investment in major projects
- Comparing Saskatchewan and Alberta’s approaches to advancing Indigenous ownership and participation
- Evaluating governance, revenue, and economic development benefits associated with Indigenous-owned energy assets
- Applying proven ownership and partnership models to future Indigenous-led energy and infrastructure projects
Luncheon
Global Counterparties, Stronger Terms: Negotiating with International Proponents in a Changing Market
Keith ChatwinPartnerStikeman Elliott LLP
Chana MartineauCEOThe Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Karen OgenCEOFNNGA
With the spotlight on Oil, Gas and LNG production here, and the fast pace of changing world events, more foreign entities are considering sourcing their energy needs from new partners. For Indigenous Nations it means meeting representatives from different parts of the world and teaching them about their own histories.
Topics of Discussion:
- Exploring what foreign entities are looking for in a new partner
- Realizing the expectations of international partners
- Expressing what foreign proponents need to know about doing business with your nation
- Discovering what benefits can come from international partnerships
- Understanding what the changing global supply chains mean for your nation’s bargaining position
Robert BrantPartner,
Co-Head of Indigenous Projects and TransactionsMcCarthy-Tetrault
Ernie DanielsPresident and CEOFirst Nations Finance Authority
As Indigenous Nations pursue greater ownership and long-term participation in energy projects, international capital is emerging as a critical, but complex source of financing. This session explores how global investors, Indigenous partners, and governments can align capital structures, governance models, and risk frameworks to support Indigenous-owned energy development while meeting international investment requirements.
Topics of Discussion:
- Mapping Global Capital Sources
- Governance Structures that Protect Indigenous Ownership
- Aligning International Capital with Domestic Regulatory Frameworks
- Ensuring long-term economic and community outcomes