Why? Why Now?

Mackenzie Valley Pipeline has been delayed for 14 years-far too long-and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which will own 30 per cent, is ready to go ahead with this important national project.

An Aboriginal Summit will be held within the next year and it is important to start discussing agenda items, including economic issues such as energy, mines and financing, which are the topics of this conference.

Natural Resources Canada and the Provincial Energy Ministers are discussing a national energy strategy. What is the role of First Nations? The conference will be focusing on this and showcasing successful models including: Muskrat Falls/Innu, Northern Quebec/James Bay Cree, Aboriginal Pipeline Group/Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, Diavik Diamond Mine ($2 billion in benefits), and the Northern Gateway Pipeline by Enbridge (our corporate sponsor).

What has changed in our country and why is now the time for a conference like this?

First Nations are calling for changes to the Indian Act and greater self-determination by rebuilding their economies, creating jobs and increasing personal and community incomes. Partnerships with energy, mining, pipeline and transmission companies will do that.

Therefore, we must learn to build trust and real partnerships to create a more competitive Canadian economy where all cylinders are firing and we are all paddling the canoe in the same direction.

What are we doing to shake up the industry and how are we differentiating ourselves from other conferences?

We are advocating that strategic partnerships and corporate social responsibility (CSR) come together to create success for all parties.

We will showcase successful outcomes such as Newfoundland and Labrador/Innu, Quebec/Cree and Innu, McKenzie Valley Pipeline/Aboriginal Pipeline Group and many others.

How has the landscape changed and what pain points will our conference solve?

We have the potential for perpetual and repeated conflict, which has an adverse impact on the overall economy. The future of major resource projects hinges on much more than regulatory approvals; they must secure the support of First Nations. No major resource project, pipeline or transmission project can proceed without First Nation participation, and Industry / First Nation partnerships are the way to proceed on major resource projects.

Are we doing anything fundamentally different that can be defined as an industry first or only?

Our conference objective is to build trust between the major parties-corporate and First Nations-in order to provide social, sustainable and productive working relationships as we all sit at the same table to discuss contractual, economic, environmental and labour markets.

As the private sector prepares to accelerate production, pipelines and transmission infrastructure, this conference will serve as a road map for all parties, including First Nations' efforts to fully achieve self-determination and financial sovereignty.

Who Should Attend:

• First Nations, Metis and Inuit Leaders and their Development Corporations
• Mining, Pipeline and Transmission Companies
• Government Representatives interested in Aboriginal and Economic Issues

ENERGY AND MAJOR RESOURCE PROJECTS

The Aboriginal Economic Summit is patterned after the highly successful Reservation Economic Summit (RES) held annually in Las Vegas. RES is the premier American Indian economic and business development conference in the nation. Attendees include American Indian and Indigenous entrepreneurs, economic and business development decision-makers, leaders, government and corporate Executives and Buyers seeking Indian suppliers and contractors.

ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT

As we launch the Aboriginal Economic Summit, aimed at delivering a framework for settling disputes over energy and major resource projects, we will showcase successful negotiations and collaborations such as Newfoundland and Labrador/Innu Nation, Northern Quebec/Cree and Innu, McKenzie Valley Pipeline/Aboriginal Pipeline Group and many others.

At a time for Canada to secure its place as a resource superpower we have the potential for perpetual and repeated conflict that has an adverse impact on the overall economy. But it doesn't have to be that way. Aboriginal groups, provinces and the private sector have found ways to identify their mutual interest and work collaboratively in sharing benefits and investment.

This conference will bring together the leaders and players who negotiated successful outcomes and their stories will inspire others to follow their experiences.

Within every community, people are looking for the latest technology in investments, negotiations, economic development ideas and strategies that work for your Community.  At this Summit you will learn and listen to strategies that your peers are using for effective development for their communities.

Register today and join us, with our respected Keynote Speakers, Panel Presenters & Workshop Facilitators for this important gathering of Economic Developers, Aboriginal Businesses, Government Representatives and Industry on important topic of Economic Development.