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7:00 am - 7:30 am
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Sunrise Ceremony
East Meeting Room 20
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7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Registration
East Convention Level Lobby
Sponsored by:

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7:30 am - 8:30 am
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Networking Continental Breakfast / Visit the Exhibitors and the Xerox Technology Café
East Exhibition Hall B
Sponsored by:
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8:30 am - 9:00 am
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Prayer / Welcome
East Exhibition Hall A
Welcome: Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish Nation
East Exhibition Hall A
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9:00 am - 10:30 am
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Plenary - Economic Prosperity: Hitching the Economic Horse to the Social Wagon
East Exhibition Hall A
A suggested end goal for many communities is economic prosperity. However, there may be other considerations of a community being prosperous which may include social and cultural elements. In the push towards economically sustainable communities, what have other communities around the world learned in terms of what went well and what were the challenges? How can an international network of Indigenous professionals work toward Indigenous trade?
Remarks: David Boisvert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Peace Hills Trust
Part 1 - Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker: Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua, New Zealand

Part 2 - Panel Discussion
Panelists: Luis Felipe Duchicela, Global Advisor for Indigenous Peoples, The World Bank, USA
Lacey Horn, Treasurer, Cherokee Nation, USA
Robert Louie, LL.B., OC, Hon. Dr. LL. B, Proprietor, Indigenous World Winery and Former Chief, Westbank First Nation, Canada
Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua, Executive Director of Operations, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, New Zealand
Benson Saulo, Group Indigenous Opportunities Manager, Australian Unity, Australia

Sponsored by: Peace Hills Trust

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10:30 am - 11:00 am
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Refreshment Break / Visit the Exhibitors and the Xerox Technology Café
East Exhibition Hall B
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11:00 am - 12:15 pm
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Concurrent Workshops and Information Sessions
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Workshop L
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Financial Management - Eliminating U.S. Withholding Taxes for Aboriginal Governments
East Meeting Room 1
Many, if not most, Aboriginal governments and their Trusts are paying taxes to the U.S. government when they do not need to. The ability to eliminate U.S. withholding taxes results from the classification of a First Nation government as a foreign government and therefore exempt.
The panel will review a Case Study on the financial impact of U.S. taxes withheld. For a trust with $50 million in capital the U.S. taxes withheld could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars over a decade, money that could make a significant difference to the long term wealth of the nation and the ability to positively impact the lives of members. Innovative solutions include the elimination of U.S. Withholding Taxes and Portfolio Structure. The presentation will address the legal aspects as well as the investment implementation aspects. The portfolio structure and framework implemented by the First Nation of their Trust will significantly impact the ease and feasibility of eliminating U.S. Withholding taxes.
The presentation will provide a step by step guide, including specific examples of communities who have successfully increased their annual income through the elimination of these taxes.
Speakers: Max Reed, LLB, BCL, Partner, US & Canadian Tax, SKL Tax
Kelly Rodgers, CFA, President, Rodgers Investment Consulting
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Workshop M
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Leadership - Trusts that Achieve Long-Term Sustainable Growth
East Ballroom A
There is a significant amount of new wealth being created by Indigenous Nations across Canada. This can place tremendous pressure on leaders to use their own-source revenue to address immediate needs – but consideration must also be given to future generations. Many countries around the world are investing revenues from non-renewable natural resource development to meet future needs. This session explores opportunities for Indigenous Nations to create their own ‘sovereign wealth’ strategies using community trusts. Understanding both the financial affordability of a trust and the impact that inflation can have on the trust's long term purchasing power is critical to achieving sustainable long term growth. Session discussions will also include historical market behavior and the strategies that can be considered when establishing effective disbursement policies.
The Athabasca Community Trust (Saskatchewan) will be profiled which is unique as it has effectively brought together three First Nation communities in addition to four local municipalities under a single trust structure. The trust is designed to benefit and manage the long term and short term economic and social needs of these communities.
Moderator/Speaker: Jack Jamieson, Vice President Aboriginal Services, T.E. Wealth
Speaker: Oliver MacLaren, Partner, Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP
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Workshop sponsored by: T.E. Wealth
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Workshop N
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Business Development and Trade - Indigenous Business Development and International Markets
East Ballroom B
UNSW Business School supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who are embracing and navigating the currencies of business knowledge and practice to strengthen and improve the lives of their families and communities.
This session will share insights about the latest approaches, development and outcomes. These lessons are drawn from business forums, Indigenous business pathway articulation programs, alumni networks, professional development and partnership opportunities including through our AGSM Executive Education and MBA X programs.
Central to our session will be insights from two of our Indigenous business graduates who share their insights from their own leadership journeys. They examine the challenges, barriers and opportunities for young Indigenous people from urban and regional perspectives. Finally they will discuss the lessons from the intersectionality of Indigenous culture(s) education and business.
The Global Affairs Canada segment targets participants with experience or interest in international trade and investment. Participants will gain knowledge of services, programs, initiatives and tools related to exporting and attracting investment to their communities. This session is less suitable for those whose primary interest is in agricultural products (e.g. anything edible) as Agriculture and Agri-food Canada has its own programs and resources.
Speakers: Rebecca Harcourt, Program Manager, Indigenous Business Education, UNSW Business School
Bobby Shade, Native American Global Trade Center Director, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, USA
Nicole Van Hove, Trade Commissioner, Mining, Oil & Gas, Global Affairs Canada
Owen Walsh, Consultant, Cyber Security Practice, KPMG
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Workshop O
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Community Administration - A Collaborative Approach to Building Capability for Governance Roles - Te Tumu Paeroa
East Meeting Room 12
Te Tumu Paeroa is an independent, professional trustee organization created by statute. Our vision is to support land owners and trustees to use their land to its full potential – creating a legacy for this generation, and the generations that follow. In our view the successful development of our land requires the successful development of our people – our greatest asset.
Te Tumu Paeroa manages:
• 95,000 hectares of Māori owned land
• Provides administration support to 2000 trusts and entities
• Manages 100,081 owner accounts
• $106.7 million in client funds
Te Tumu Paeroa assists trustees to exercise good governance and leadership over the assets for current and future generations. The organizations vision has required establishing programs and relationships to provide a capability program that is future focused and enduring. In this endeavor the organization has supported the development of a range of governance programs such as Te Tumu Whairawa with organizations such as KPMG, Ngā Kai Tatau o Aotearoa to support trustees and beneficiaries in their understanding of financial reporting, accountability and financial oversight.
Speakers: Ngāti Porou Neville King, Governance and Capability Manager, Te Tumu Paeroa, New Zealand
Riria Te Kanawa, Director - Performance Consulting, KPMG, New Zealand
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Workshop P
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Leadership - UNDRIP: Five Concrete Action Items for Reconciliation
East Ballroom C
Canadian Governments accept the Declaration as a principled common ground, but are committing an "Implementation Fail". Indigenous Peoples will not accept this failure after decades of advocacy. This interactive presentation will discuss five immediate action points that will reinvigorate the Declaration. The Five Reconcili-Action points will discuss 1) Free Prior Informed Consent; 2) Indigenous Peoples Role in Legal Reform; 3) Indigenous Peoples Rights to their Culture; 4) Requirements for Natural Resource Development; and 5) Economic Treaty and Indigenous Peoples Rights.
Speaker: Merle C. Alexander, Partner, Indigenous Resource Law, Gowling WLG LLP
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Information Session 5
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Education - NEW AFOA Certified Indigenous Leaders Program
East Meeting Room 8
Learn about the new certification for Indigenous elected (chief and council), youth and future leaders. The program will enhance your knowledge, skills and professional development of elected officials to enable you to better perform their functions and build community prosperity and financial wellbeing. The Program will provide you with new networking opportunities, new environments for learning and access to best practices for working with First Nations and Indigenous organizations at all levels. Specifically designed to set high quality competency standards and provide the learning opportunities which will enable Indigenous leaders and future leaders working in First Nations communities to gain the knowledge and skills required to enhance their leadership roles in serving their communities. The plan is to deliver the Program in four two-day sessions. Learn details about the delivery of the first cohort to be delivered in 2017/18.
Speakers: Simon Brascoupé, MA, CAPA, CFNHM, Vice President, Education and Training, AFOA Canada
Manon Lamontagne, MA, MBA, CHRP, CAPA
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Information Session 6 |
‘Whanake Mauriora’: Investment in Developing Future Business Leaders - Capability Building, Realizing Potential and Transforming Young Professionals
East Meeting Room 11
Thousands of accounting and business graduates walk out of New Zealand universities annually, but why are so few indigenous? How are organizations responding? How are Iwi (tribes) investing in the future stewardship of tribal wealth on the back of treaty settlements? We will look at this through the eyes of the student, a graduate, and the main professional accounting body. We will discuss how organizations such as Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand and Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa (The National Māori Accountants Network) are realizing and developing indigenous potential in the accounting and business space. Organizations have adopted strong support and policies in reference to upskilling Māori (our indigenous people), through branding, investment, and awareness in order to support achieving desirable social and economic outcomes. We will talk to initiatives organizations are implementing to drive growth at the base level and how these activities directly respond to the need for building capability amongst Māori youth. Whānau (family), universities, professional bodies, employers, and support networks will all be explored as to how they have shaped our journeys to date, and the commitment to investing in future Māori business leaders in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Speakers: Mere George, Partner, GHA Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants, and Deputy Chari, Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa, New Zealand
Ariana Adams, Student, University of Waikato and former Student representative, Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa, New Zealand
Tamati Smith, Consultant, EY and Board Member of Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa, New Zealand
Kateriina Selwyn, Māori Sector Manager, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
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Information Session 7
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Education - Pathways to Indigenous Leadership and Economic Empowerment
East Meeting Room 2
Financial and governance expertise 'by' Indigenous Peoples rather than 'for' Indigenous Peoples is a pathway to leadership and economic empowerment. Drawing on the research by ORIC (The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporation) the significant role of accounting and governance will be discussed in the advancement of economic strength of Indigenous Peoples.
Moving away from 'just doing' for Indigenous Peoples to respectful cultural inclusion is the way forward for Australian business and professions. The importance of Indigenous languages will be discussed as an underpinning of identity and connection not just for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander but for all Australians.
By highlighting the powerful role of financial and business skills, we will discuss how these skills are vital links towards 'closing the gap'. Closing the gap “is a government strategy that aims to reduce disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, access to early childhood education, educational achievement, and employment outcomes” (HealthInfoNet, 2016). Christian Lugnan is on the board of a local Aboriginal medical service in Australia and will discuss his observations regarding the connection between business skills and improved quality of life indicators.
Speakers: Dr. Luisa Lombardi, CPA, Chair of Indigenous Accounting and Business Conference, Senior Lecturer, Deakin Business School, Deakin University, Australia
Christian Lugnan, CPA, Regional Manager, Coffs Harbour, Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and Advisory committee member, Indigenous Accountants Australia, Australia
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12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Luncheon - The Power of Mentoring
East Exhibition Hall A
The Martin Family Initiative (MFI) and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) established the CPA Martin Mentorship Program for Indigenous High School Students in 2008 to increase graduation rates, encourage enrollment in post-secondary programs and support students as they consider post-secondary opportunities in various careers including business. The skills developed in the Mentorship Program help unlock each student’s potential and expose them to a range of career options in areas traditionally underrepresented by indigenous youth. Join the Right Honourable Paul Martin P.C., C.C. and Kevin Dancey, FCPA, FCA, National Coordinator, CPA Martin Mentorship Program, as they explore the success of this and other programs MFI and CPA Canada have developed to support capacity building and increase financial literacy in indigenous communities.
Moderator: Dr. Carlana Lindeman, Education Program Director, Martin Family Initiative
Panelists: Kevin Dancey, National Coordinator, CPA Martin Mentorship Program for Indigenous High School Students
Simon Brascoupé, MA, CAPA, CFNHM, Vice President, Education and Training, AFOA Canada
Sponsored by:

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2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
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Concurrent Workshops and Information Session:
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Workshop Q
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Financial Management - Alternatives for Accounting and Financial Management
East Ballroom B
In a constantly shifting technological landscape, alternative models are being proposed and implemented in the world of accounting and financial management across all industries.
Leveraging advances in the technological sector, the future of accounting will be less transactional and more knowledge-based. At the end of the day, people skills and an in-depth understanding of industry sectors are just as crucial as keeping the numbers in check. Tax professionals are expected to recommend best-practices to management and suggest strategic ways to reduce costs and mitigate risk while improving profit. To keep up with this shift, accounting practices and financial opportunities are evolving every day, allowing us to improve the way we manage projects and approach our service delivery from a full, 360 degree, top-down perspective.
Speakers: Rob Campbell, National Director of Aboriginal Services, MNP
Clayton Norris, CMA, CPA, CAFM, MBA, Vice President, Aboriginal Services, MNP
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Workshop R
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Leadership - Building Sustainable Indigenous Communities
East Ballroom A
Three visionary leaders will discuss First Nation institutions that have developed practical modern day tools First Nations governments
1. First Nations Tax Commission – ensures the integrity of the First Nations tax system:
2. First Nations Financial Management Board – establishes financial management standards that lead to the principles of sound and transparent practices;
3. First Nations Finance Authority – enables First Nations to borrow against any secure source of revenue at lower rates than traditional financing;
These institutions address huge barriers faced by First Nations attracting investments to their lands:
• It is 2 to 3 times more expensive to finance infrastructure on First Nation lands;
• It is 4 to 5 times more expensive to make investments on First Nation lands; and
• Lack of investor confidence, legislative uncertainty, unavailable financial information and statistics etc.
The leaders will discuss how these institutions overcame these barriers and how they are adapting to future needs and challenges.
Speakers: Harold Calla, CAFM, Executive Chair, First Nations Financial Management Board
Ernie Daniels, CAFM, President and Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Finance Authority
Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner, First Nations Tax Commission
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Workshop S
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Business Development and Trade - Renewable Energy Futures
East Meeting Room 1
CANCELLED
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Workshop T
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Community Administration - Australian Reconciliation: Financial Services Regulation and Action Plan
East Ballroom C
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the Australian corporate, markets and financial services regulator. ASIC developed the Indigenous Outreach Program (IOP) in acknowledgement of the unique issues faced by Indigenous consumers within the financial service sector, and because of unscrupulous businesses practices. ASIC's IOP works to build relationships, understanding and trust between the financial services sector and Indigenous consumers, the knowledge of our workforce and financial capability towards sustainability in community.
The panel will discuss how compliance, enforcement, policy development, industry liaison balanced with the building of financial capability are all foundational to a fair market with confident and informed consumers. Case studies will show how ASIC has taken court action to ensure those businesses taking advantage of Indigenous community are being held to account. They will discuss the importance of financial capability and how they have developed resources utilising Indigenous community centred design to ensure communities understand and stand up for their rights.
In 2016 Australian Unity launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan to build stronger relationships with Indigenous customers, communities and business. They found that building trust is the underlining principle of respectful relationships, and the importance of enabling voices within the organisation to influence positive outcomes. They joined a well-established network of organizations that implemented Reconciliation Action Plans to build stronger relationships with Australia’s first people. The lesson learned is the importance of working within a system to change the system, building allies and ensuring community is at the heart decision making.
Speakers: Nathan Boyle, Senior Analyst - Indigenous Outreach Program, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, Australia
Benson Saulo, Group Indigenous Opportunities Manager, Australian Unity, Australia
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Workshop U
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Community Administration - Indigenous Public Administration, Nation Building and Authentic Partnerships
East Meeting Room 8
Canada’s 1876 Indian Act and the U.S. Indian Reorganization Act 1934 denied Indigenous Nations their own governance systems that imposed Western-Euro systems of governance. This resulted in outcomes that place Indigenous populations on the bottom of almost every indicator of well-being.
The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development (HPAIED) focuses on understanding the factors involved in the creation of sustained, self-determined social and economic development in Indigenous Nations. HPAIED suggests there are five pillars necessary for thriving communities: practical sovereignty, capable institutions, cultural match, strategic orientation, and leadership. An overview of established and emerging public administration programs in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting case studies such as File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council transition to an Indigenous-based governance system. A new international partnership amongst three institutions - First Nations University of Canada, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and Dr. Manly Begay, HPAIED co-director, will show how theory into practice develops the human resource capacity within Indigenous Nations.
Authentic partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses and organizations both in Canada and abroad require unique planning and effort. What is not well understood is the level of corporate-indigenous partnerships or the strategies and practices needed to build ‘high-functioning, authentic and long-term Indigenous partnerships. This presentation will cover: the seven-stage partnership model; a competency based approach; ‘video vignettes’ and case studies; and benchmarking engagement performance. A recent study found that ‘85%’ of corporate Canada are disengaged. New strategies are needed to overcome the ‘engagement gap’ and to develop the competencies needed to create authentic partnerships.
Speakers: Edmund Bellegarde, Tribal Chief, File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council
Dr. Bob Kayseas, Associate Vice-President Academic, First Nations University of Canada
Dr. Jaime M.N. Lavallee, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Kelly J. Lendsay, President and Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Works
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Information Session 8
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First Nations Wealth Management Through Good Governance
East Meeting Room 2
Changes of historic proportions are taking place in aboriginal communities across Canada with the creation of Trusts resulting from
Specific Claims Settlements, Economic Development, Impact Benefit Agreements and other resource sharing opportunities. From our existing relationships across Canada, we know that the resulting income and capital generated from within these Trusts have the potential to transform a community into an economically self-sustaining and self-governing entity, but only when managed effectively. This session will provide real life situations when wealth management was placed in the wrong hands and the benefits of good governance practice when it applies to wealth creation.
Moderator: Jeff Frketich, FCPA, FCGA, CFA, AVP – Trust Services, Peace Hills Trust
Speakers: Ken Blair, Managing Partner, Chemawawin Cree Nation
Georgina Villeneuve, MBA, MTI, Vice President – Trust Services, Peace Hills Trust
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Information Session 9 |
Revisioning Accounting Policies for the Valuation of First Nations' Intangible Cultural Heritage and Intellectual Property Assets
East Meeting Room 12
This presentation addresses the issue of economic and social significance to First Nations Peoples around the globe, that is exploitation of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) without commensurate financial and social benefits.
Internationally, ICIP is encompassed in UNESCO where it is defined as “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals, recognize as part of their cultural heritage”. The presentation aims to encourage new thinking at the systemic level about the contribution of First Nation organizations to productivity by questioning standard Westernized performance measures from the perspective of Indigenous stakeholder values.
An argument is forwarded that theories of sustainability and social responsibility from other fields of research have utility in the fields of accounting, financial management and auditing policy and practices. Recommendations include developing a customized accounting model incorporating cultural, social, and environmental measures that would fully identify what is impacting the successful management of First Peoples organizations; value ICIP and cultural heritage assets using the Balanced Scorecard, Life Cycle Analysis, Eco-systems service and Contingency Valuation Method. Together these approaches will promote informed participation and decision-making, promulgate more sustainable outcome to maximize social and economic participation in society, and improve the health and wellbeing of First Nation Peoples globally.
Speaker: Kerry Bodle, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Australia
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Information Session 10
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Education - The Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrators (CAPA) Program
East Meeting Room 11
Come join us at this Information Session to learn about the CAPA Program. CAPA has been designed to certify senior administrators, senior managers, and aspiring administrators working in Aboriginal communities and organizations on reserve, off reserve and in urban, rural and remote settings. Using key competencies developed with the input of senior administrators across the country, this Program provides new opportunities for those in this profession to be formally acknowledged, certified, and recognized for the professional work they do every day. This session highlights the three different ways to become certified as a CAPA: (1) CAPA Online Course Programs; (2) CAPA In-Person Program; and (3) CAPA Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Program. All courses are eligible for credit with Thompson Rivers University and Cape Breton University.
Speaker: Simon Brascoupé, Vice-President Education and Training, AFOA Canada
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4:30 pm - 5:45 pm |
AFOA Canada Annual General Meeting
East Meeting Room 2

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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
By-Invitation Only Reception
Pan Pacific Hotel, Oceanview Suites 5-8, Restaurant and Gallery Level
Sponsored by: TD Bank Group

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