About AFOA | Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada

Conferences & Events

National Conference 2004

AFOA's 4th National Conference was held in Calgary, Alberta on February 26-28.

Over seven-hundred attended the Conference -more than have ever participated before. They included financial managers and officers, decision-makers, Chiefs and Council members in First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities, as well as accountants and financial advisors working in the public and private sectors, and provincial and federal government officials.

Over fifty speakers were featured including National Chief Phil Fontaine, who delivered the keynote speech. Senior representatives of each of the four institutions being established under the proposed First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, formerly known as C-19, participated in a plenary session focussing on the Institutions, their objectives and potential impact Aboriginal financial management.

Other important sessions included "Reporting to Federal Organizations - Easing the Burden" - which examined the Auditor General's report on streamlining First Nations reporting and the progress that has been made to address this issue. "Federal Government Initiatives - What's New?" explored a wide range of federal government initiatives impacting Aboriginals. Other presenters spoke about new resources and financial management strategies available to help financial professionals and management meet the challenges that lie ahead. Sessions topics included:

Accountability: A Reflective Perspective
Effective financial management and governance
Understanding the Audit Process
Understanding Financial statements and budgets (for non-financial managers)
Managing human resources
Fraud and internal controls
Finding new funding opportunities
Records and document management
Using evaluations as a management tool
Community planning
Developing financial management and accountability regulations
Communicating effectively with Council and community
Using technology to enhance financial management

AFOA was pleased to welcome Waneek Horn-Miller, Aboriginal activist, Olympic athlete and broadcaster as a guest luncheon speaker. Dinner entertainment featured the Red Thunder Dance Troupe and the noted Aboriginal comedian Don Burnstick.

To access the speaker PowerPoint presentations, see the menu at left.

Conference Program

Last updated: January 11, 2004

Note: This version of the program is NOT formatted for print.

Download a printable copy of the preliminary conference program.

PDF - 327KB

Wednesday, February 25

4 pm - 8 pm	Registration
6 pm - 8 pm	Opening Reception

Thursday, February 26

8 am	Sunrise Ceremony
8 am - 8:45 am	Registration / Continental breakfast with the Exhibitors / Technology Café
8:45 am - 10 am	Prayer: Elder Tom Crane Bear, Siksika Nation
	Welcome by Conference Co-chairs: Donna Morin, CAFM, Financial Officer Peter Ballantyne Child and Family Services Inc., and Chair, AFOA Canada Romeo Crow Chief, CAFM, President, AFOA Alberta and AFOA Canada Board Member
	Plenary: Introduction: Jason Goodstriker, AFN Regional Chief, Alberta ñ Keynote Speaker: Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations
10 am - 10:30 am	Networking Break
10:30 am - 12 pm	Plenary: "Update on Legislation and Financial Institution Initiatives" Legislation to create a First Nations Tax Commission, a First Nations Financial Management Board, a First Nations Statistics Institute and a First Nations Finance Authority has been stalled due to timing and changes in government leadership. The new leadership appears to be intent on approving legislation to support the First Nations Fiscal Institutions. There is uncertainty as to what the status of proposed legislation will be for the fiscal institutions by the time the conference is held. This session will provide an update and discuss potential impacts on those involved with financial management and administration in First Nations. How will they affect you? How will they affect your First Nation? What will these institutions do? How will these institutions help you manage your First Nation's resources? This plenary session will feature senior leaders of each of the four institutions and an opportunity for questions from the audience. Moderator: Ernie Daniels, CAFM, Incoming President and Chief Operating Officer, AFOA Canada Speakers: Harold Calla, CAFM, Advisory Panel Chair, First Nations Financial Management Board Alfred Linklater, Executive Director, First Nations Statistics Deanna Hamilton, President& CEO, First Nations Finance Authority Strater Crowfoot, Chief, Siksika First Nation, and Chair, Indian Taxation Advisory Board
12 pm - 12:20 pm	Refreshment Break
12:20 pm - 1:30 pm	Luncheon AFOA Ontario and AFOA Canada Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Concurrent Workshops
Workshop A	“Effective Financial Management and Governance” This workshop looks at how financial management, strategic planning and governance fit together. In order to effectively govern our communities, we must forge a strong relationship between financial management, planning and governance. How can the financial manager, Chief and Council develop the necessary relationships and what must happen? This workshop will review the roles and responsibilities of each and some of the better communications and policy practices that help the relationship grow. Participants will have an opportunity to review and discuss best practices, policies, and other "Toolbox" type assistance to support a strong relationship between financial management and governance. Moderator: Don Connor,Director Business Development & Admissions, CGA-Alberta Speakers: Strater Crowfoot, Chief, Siksika First Nation, and Chair, Indian Taxation Advisory Board Charles Pratt, Professor, First Nations University Norman Brennand, Field Manager, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada
Workshop B	Understanding the Audit Process This workshop is for those that want to understand more about the annual audit or are considering improvements in the audit preparation process to reduce fees, timing or sharing information with the community. How can you make improvements? How does an audit work? What are your roles and responsibilities in an audit? How can you make the audit a successful process? How can you learn from the audit? The answers to these questions and more will be discussed at this session. Moderator/Speaker: Alex Sawchuk, CAFM, Band Financial Advisor, Yellowhead Tribal Council Speakers: Brian Callander, Partner, BDO Dunwoody LLP Shiraz Bandali, Manager, Band Audits and Allegation, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
Workshop C	"Understanding Financial Statements and Budgets – For Non-Financial Managers" This workshop is for non-financial managers or those planning on becoming a financial manager. This workshop will help Chief and Council members, program managers and others gain an understanding of financial statements and the role they and financial management policy and practices play in supporting effective decision-making. Moderator: Darlene Lafontaine,Financial Advisor, Wabun Tribal Council and AFOA Canada Board Member Speakers: Mark Deblois, Partner, KPMG Robert Jensen, CAFM, Audit Manager, EPR Gordon C. Ferguson & Co.
Workshop D	"Managing Your Human Resources - What You Need to Know" Effective human resource management is key to organizational success. What are the best practices around human resource management? This workshop will cover the basics: hiring; pay and benefits; layoffs and termination; training and development; employee and labour relations; occupational health and safety, and HR planning. Moderator: Randell Glen Morris, Vice-President, Academics, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and Member AFOA Canada Board of Directors Speakers: Kathy Gaudry, Partner, Higgins International Inc. Jennifer Young, Senior Consulting Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
4:30pm - 6 pm	Free Time
6pm - 7 pm	Pre-Dinner Reception
7pm - 11 pm	CAFM Convocation and Banquet / Awards Ceremony Opening Remarks: Brent Walker, Partner - National Office, BDO Dunwoody LLP 2004 Excellence in Leadership Award Presenter: Charlie Alexander, Vice President, North American Agent Operations, The Document Company, Xerox CAFM Presentations: Ernie Daniels, CAFM,Incoming President and Chief Operating Officer, AFOA Canada Donna Morin, CAFM, Peter Ballantyne Child and Family Services Inc, and Chair, AFOA Canada Entertainment: Don Burnstick, Comedian (visit Don at www.donburnstick.com) Don Burnstick is a Cree from the Alexander First Nation located outside of Edmonton, Alberta.

Friday, February 27

8am	Sunrise Ceremony
8am - 4 pm	Registration
8am - 9 am	Exhibits Open Continental breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:15am - 9:15 am	Annual General Meeting
9:15 am - 10:00 am	Prayer: Elder Tom Crane Bear, Siksika Nation Welcome: Marilyn Osecap, Director of Economic and Community Development, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation and Chair, AFOA Canada Conference Co-Chair: Romeo Crow Chief, CAFM, President, AFOA Alberta
Plenary - Accountability: A Reflective Perspective	Information and discussions on accountability have been on many agendas in recent years. Chief Chris Shade of the Blood Tribe in Alberta will share his perspective on accountability realities and next steps. Introduction: Brent Walker, Partner, National Office, BDO Dunwoody LLP Keynote Speaker: Chris Shade, Chief, Blood Tribe
10am - 10:20 am	Networking Break
10:20am - 12 pm	Concurrent Sessions
Session 1	"Fraud and Internal Controls" This session will be of interest to those that want to understand more about the issue of fraud and how internal controls and related practices can reduce the risk of fraud occurring. A good internal control system ensures that an organization's assets are safeguarded by fraud, theft, misuse and waste. It ensures financial records are accurate and reports produced are reliable and timely. And, it ensures economic, efficient and effective management. Speakers at this session will discuss how to implement effective internal controls and prevent fraud. Moderator: Norman G. Grdina, CAFM, Partner, Morrow & Co., Certified General Accountants Speakers: Shannon Ryhorchuk, Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Chad Cretney, Senior Manager, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Session 2	"Finding and Obtaining New Funding Opportunities" Often the key to success in implementing community or organizational plans is linked to finding and obtaining financial resources. There are many government programs and sources from non government organizations that you need to be aware of and determine if there is a relationship to your strategy and supportive action plans. This session will review some of the available financial resources. Participants will be asked to share experiences with the sources. Knowing there are funds does not guarantee success. It is also important to understand how to successfully obtain the funds. A professional fundraiser will share practices on how to develop successful fundraising proposals. Moderator: Norm Hotchkiss, Director, Small Business Services, Export Development Canada Speakers: John A. Phin, Director, Corporate Development & Alliances, University of Alberta School of Business Lorna Standingready, Student, First Nations University
Session 3	"Records and Document Management" This session will be of interest to individuals tired of working with systems that require spending a lot of time looking for information and re-doing work. Paper files, electronic files and shared drives are not always in sync and tools to capture and store information may not be taking advantage of technology. Improved records and document management practices can result in less downtime for new and current employees and can speed up and improve decision-making. Moderator: Gloria Allen, Executive Director, Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre and AFOA Canada Board Member Speakers: Dennis Borynec, Office Administrator, Assembly of First Nations David Willey, Director, Office of the Auditor General of Canada Tom Maracle, National Manager, Aboriginal Community Relations, Xerox Canada Ltd.
Session 4	"Making Evaluations an Effective Management Tool" Evaluation can be a useful management tool and a means of empowering individuals throughout the organization to excel - it need not be artificial, complicated or punitive. It can be used to promote success and demonstrate benefits to community members and funders. This session will introduce a type of evaluation that can help staff members to both improve programming and their own personal effectiveness. This type of evaluation focuses on improvement rather than failures; on increasing our own effectiveness rather than satisfying funders; on making us better at what we do and supporting personal growth rather than being a punitive burden. Moderator: Romeo Crow Chief, CAFM, President, AFOA Alberta and AFOA Canada Board Member Speaker: Ray Downie, Principal, Broadview Applied Research Group Inc.
12pm - 1:30 pm	Luncheon Introduction: Doug Bourque, Market Manager Aboriginal Banking, Royal Bank of Canada Guest Speaker: Waneek Horn-Miller, Activist, Olympic Athlete, Broadcaster and Motivational Speaker
1:30pm - 3 pm	Concurrent Sessions
Session 5 - "Community Planning"	This session will be of interest to community leaders or financial managers planning to promote or facilitate community planning. One of the most important roles of community leaders is to develop a vision and support strategy. Broad ownership of a community plan supports participation and reduces uncertainty around strategic intent. It also sets a basis for measurement and accountability. This increases the chances for successful implementation of the plan. Financial management supports community planning, decision making and other related processes. This session will review key elements of community planning policies and practices and the involvement of financial management activities. Participants will share experiences and lessons learned. Moderator: Tammy Drew, CAFM, General Manager, Miawpukek First Nation and AFOA Canada Board Member Speakers: Jim Pealow, CAFM, Interim President and COO, AFOA Canada Chief Clarence Easter, Chemawawin Cree Nation
Session 6 - "Improving Financial Management and Accountability with the Financial Management Toolbox"	AFOA BC has developed a new financial management toolbox to help First Nations develop their own financial management and accountability regulations. The toolbox includes a manual on financial management policies and procedures, a focus on the strategic planning process and governance concepts and capacity building. This session will take a close look at the toolbox and its applications. Moderator: Susan Wood, CAFM, Finance Manager, Skidegate Band Council Speakers: Clay Harmon, CAFM, Chief Financial Officer, Penticton Indian Band Mike Mearns, CAFM, General Manager, AFOA British Columbia
Session 7 - "Communicating Effectively with Band, Council and Community"	Communication among all members of the Community – Band, Council, and community members - is essential to a well managed and well informed community. What information do key stakeholders in your community consider important? What is the best way to provide that information to them? How do you make information readily and easily accessible to help increase community awareness? What are some communities doing about improving communication now? These are some of the questions that will be addressed at this session. Moderator: Richard Sack, CAFM, Indian Brook and AFOA Canada Board Member Speaker: Randall Swanson, Director First Nations Aboriginal Services, Meyers Norris Penny
Session 8 - "Using Technology to Enhance Financial Management"	There are a number of technology issues emerging with significant impact on financial management, and a wide variety of computer applications now available that are particularly useful to First Nations management and finance. Participants will hear about these issues and about accounting, database and other software packages that could contribute to management effectiveness. Moderator/Speaker: Mark Fouad, CAFM Program Coordinator, Yellowquill College Speakers: Bob Belanger, Strategic Business Development, Aboriginal Information Systems Doug Harris, Manager of Technology, First Nations Business Development, Aboriginal Information Systems
3 pm - 3:15 pm	Networking Break
3:15pm - 5 pm	Concurrent Forums
Forum A - "Federal Government Initiatives - What's New"	As Aboriginals, our lives and jobs are impacted every day by new initiatives and developments emanating from the Federal Government. Whether its land claims, governance legislation, internet interconnectivity strategies, business opportunities, taxation issues, human resource, education or health strategies. Whether the initiatives come from HRDC, Industry Canada, Heritage Canada, Industry Canada, Health Canada, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, or the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, they have a direct affect on our lives, on our jobs, on our community and on our families. This session will provide a glimpse into what we can expect from the Government of Canada in 2004/2005. Co-Moderators: Linda Niro, Regional Vice President, Western Canada, Export Development Canada Marilyn Osecap, CAFM, Director of Economic and Community Development, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation and Chair, AFOA Canada Speakers: Ian MacArthur, Manager, Strategic Planning, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Petr Sops, Director, Aboriginal Program Operations, Human Resources Development Canada Donna Wuttunee, Regional Director, Aboriginal Business Canada Peter Dudley, Project Manager, First Nations Public Sector Statistics, Statistics Canada
Forum B - "Reporting to Federal Organizations - Easing the Burden"	“Reporting requirements must be overhauled so that they support meaningful accountability and serve the real needs of First Nation communities and governments" Auditor General of Canada Sheila Fraser. Auditor General Sheila Fraser released her report on streamlining First Nations reporting to federal organizations in December 2002. In it she notes that many First Nations have to submit close to 200 reports a year to various federal organizations, and she provides a number of recommendations for improving the current system. What has been the response of the federal organizations involved? What progress has been made towards a solution to this problem? Representatives from the Auditor General of Canada, federal organizations and the Assembly of First Nations will discuss these issues with delegates. Delegates will also have the opportunity to provide their own recommendations at round table discussions. Moderator: Keith Martell, CAFM, Chairman, First Nations Bank of Canada Speakers: Caroline Davis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada Joe Martire, Principal, Office of the Auditor General Fred Tolmie, Chief Financial Officer, Assembly of First Nations
4:30pm - 4:45 pm	Conference Wrap-Up and Draw for Prizes Co-Chairs: Marilyn Osecap, CAFM, Director of Economic Community Development, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Chair, AFOA Canada Ernie Daniels, CAFM, Incoming President and Chief Operating Officer, AFOA Canada

Saturday, February 28

9 am - 5 pm

Staying in Calgary for the weekend?

JOIN US FOR OUR POST-CONFERENCE “WORKSHOP ON WHEELS”

Workshop on “Problem Solving / Decision Making”

Enjoy a scenic drive to the mountains while viewing and discussing four management training videos - from the humour of Monty Python's John Cleese on meetings and decision-making, to informative videos on benchmarking and the balanced scorecard. Stop off and tour Morley and Sarcee, have lunch in Banff and enjoy the beauty of Lake Louise before returning to your hotel in time for dinner.

Cost: $55.00 / person and is NOT included in the conference registration package. Lunch costs are the responsibility of each participant.

This workshop is restricted to conference participants only and seating is limited. Reserve your seat today by completing a conference registration form.

Conference Presentations

Click on the link below to view available speakers presentations:

Thursday, February 26, 2004

Workshop A - "Effective Financial Management and Governance"

Charles Pratt - Director, School of Business and Public Administration, First Nations University of Canada
PPT - 240KB
Norm Brennand - Field Manager, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
PPT - 818KB

Workshop B - "Understanding the Audit Process"

Brian Callander - Partner, DBO Dunwoody LLP
PPT - 93KB

Workshop C - "Understanding Financial Statements and Budgets - For Non-Financial Managers"

Mark Deblois - Partner, KPMG
PPT - 632KB

Workshop D - "Managing Your Human Resources - What You Need to Know"

Kathy Gaudry - Partner, Higgins International Inc.
PPT - 1,396KB
Jennifer Young - Senior Consulting Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
PPT - 1,306KB

Friday, February 27, 2004

Session 1 - "Fraud and Internal Controls"

Shannon Ryhorchuk - Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
PPT - 4,700KB

Session 2 - "Finding and Obtaining New Funding Opportunities"

John A. Phin - Director, Corporate Development and Alliances, University of Alberta School of Business
PPT - 124KB

Session 3 - "Records and Document Management"

Dennis Borynec - Office Administrator, Assembly of First Nations
PPT - 203KB
David Willey - Director, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
PPT - 212KB
Tom Maracle - National Manager, Aboriginal Community Relations, Xerox Canada Ltd.
PPT - 4,122KB

Session 5 - "Community Planning"

Jim Pealow, CAFM - AFOA Canada
PPT - 95KB
Chief Clarence Easter - Chemawawin Cree Nation
PPT - 144KB

Session 7 - "Communicating Effectively with Band, Council and Community"

Randall Swanson - Director, First Nations Aboriginal Services, Meyers Norris Penny
PPT - 63,134KB

Subject Forum A - "Federal Government Initiatives - What's New?"

Peter Dudley - Project Manager, First Nations Public Sector Statistics, Statistics Canada
PPT - 906KB
Ian MacArthur - Manager, Strategic Planning, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
PPT - 4,478KB