Join us May 26th, 2022 at 1:30PM (ET) to hear from Procurement Assistance Canada. Featuring ABPA Board member Jason Thompson of Superior Strategies and guest speaker Manny Argiropoulos of Procurement Assistance Canada presenting about common myths about bidding on Federal contracts.
The ABPA is hosting its second Annual General Meeting & Business Forum on October 6th, 2021.
We welcome Members, Non-members, Indigenous and Allies to join us virtually to hear First Nations elected and business leaders share their insights at this time of great change and opportunity.
This years ‘Stronger Together’ theme will feature talks and panels that explore equitable partnerships, highspeed internet expansion as a gamechanger, and Indigenous leadership laying a path towards wellness and prosperity for First Nations in the north. There will be breakout room networking sessions to bring together ABPA members, Northern Ontario government and industry representatives and allies, potential investors, and any others interested in the region’s socio-economic development opportunities.
Anishnawbe Member (51% or more Anishnawbe Owned) | $25
Associate Member (Non Anishnawbe) | $50
Indigenous Non-Member (First Nation, Inuit, Metis) | $25
Non-Member Allies (Non-Indigenous) | $99
Our next webinar is coming up on Thursday, May 27th 1PM-2:30PM (ET). This session will feature speakers from Valard Construction and Supercom Industries, and will be focused on opportunities and challenges in the construction sector related to current and upcoming projects in Northern Ontario.
The discussion will include highlights of current projects related to Indigenous participation in business contracting, community participation, and employment and training. If you’re interesting in learning more about how those opportunities can be accessed and the ways Indigenous businesses can prepare, submit bids, or qualify for contracts, tune in on the 27th.
Moderating the discussion is Jason Thompson, ABPA Director and owner of Superior Strategies, an Indigenous owned and operated Project Management Consulting & Training Service. Jason is a proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band, and has over 20 years of business and management experience. He is a proven executive and visionary entrepreneur, and prides himself in being an ambassador for Indigenous inclusion and an advocate for northern investment and development.
Registration is complimentary for members of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and members of First Nations communities. Non-Members are welcome to attend for a fee of $25.00.
The session features the following speakers:
Carey Kostyk | Valard Construction LP
Carey provides strategic leadership to all aspects of Valard’s business with a focus on ensuring project excellence. With 23 years of broad experience in operating businesses and in the execution of transmission and distribution projects, ranging from small to megaproject size, Carey has a proven track record of working with teams, partners, stakeholders and suppliers to develop high performance teams that are able to navigate complex challenges successfully.
Blaine Collett | Valard Construction LP
Blaine provides strategic leadership to Valard’s Indigenous Relations endeavours across Canada. He is a First Nation business professional with over 25 years of experience including senior management roles in major resource projects, construction companies and First Nation management. Blaine has a passion for working with Indigenous communities and Industry to strengthen long term, mutually beneficial relationships. His proven experience has brought a multitude of socioeconomic benefits to many communities by supporting and managing outcomes with industry.
Robert Starr | Supercom Industries LP
Robert Starr is a member of Pic River First Nation, and has worked in the mining, forestry, energy development, Federal government, and Energy Transmission industries. Robert’s focus has always been on Indigenous community development. Robert is deeply passionate about active and meaningful economic participation amongst Indigenous businesses, and his current work with Supercom, a unique partnership of six North Shore First Nations, allows him to work towards First Nations participation in the East-West Tie Line Project.
Our next webinar is coming up on Tuesday, June 22nd from 1:30PM-3:00PM (ET). This session will feature speakers from CreeQuest Corporation, Wabun Tribal Council, NACCA, and Coral Rapids Power. This session will be focused on stories of business success and Indigenous entrepreneurship. Our dynamic panel of speakers will share experiences of community-led economic growth, sustainable development, and growing partnerships that can be modelled for future prosperity.
Moderating the discussion is Jason Rasevych, ABPA Director and Partner at Deloitte Canada for Financial Advisory and National Leader Indigenous Client Services. Jason’s twin passions are advocating for Indigenous rights and reconciliation as well as economic and business development, and he looks forward to an engaging actionable discussion with this excellent panel.
Registration is complimentary for members of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and members of First Nations communities. Non-Members are welcome to attend for a fee of $25.00.
The session features the following speakers:
Tina (Gagnon) Sheridan: Tina Sheridan is a Cree member of Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN). She is a mother, grandmother, and served for four years as a Councillor for her community. She is also an award-winning self-taught entrepreneur in a male dominated sector! Tina founded CreeQuest in 2010 as a sole proprietorship, and it has flourished into an incorporated regional Indigenous business which employs 120 people, of whom 51% are women and 40-48% are Indigenous.
Wayne Ross: Wayne Ross is a member of the Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN), and President of Coral Rapids Power (CRP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTN mandated to explore and develop hydroelectric opportunities within TTN’s traditional territory. As a key negotiator over almost five years on this major infrastructure project that led to over 50M in business contracts to local communities, Wayne has many insights to share about developing relationships with non-Indigenous partners, mitigating environmental concerns, and building capacity within communities to support future growth and prosperity.
Jason Batise: Jason Batise is the Executive Director of Wabun Tribal Council (WTC). Wabun means sunrise in Ojibwe, reflecting a new day, a new start, or a fresh beginning. Jason has played a leading role in guiding WTC’s member Nations (Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibway, Flying Post, Matachewan, Mattagami and Beaverhouse) towards a model of sustainable resource development. WTC has demonstrated leadership in the development of successful partnerships in the mining and extractive industries that bring prosperity while also establishing certainty for industry partners.
Shannin Metatawabin: Shannin Metatawabin is from Fort Albany First Nation, is a fluent Cree speaker, and the CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association of Canada (NACCA). Shannin began at CIBC as a business development officer for the Aboriginal Business Canada program, where he assisted 250+ businesses start up and expand. His current role allows him to continue this development and support with one of the largest social finance networks of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFI’s) in the world.
