Economic summit reconciles

Eva John Gladue, left, chats with Shane Freeson who handles business development for Primco Dene Group of Companies during a break at the Economic Partnership summit at the Nissan Hall on Thursday. The event featured speakers and business connections between Indigenous and non-indigenous business leaders. Geoff Lee Meridian Source

 

Savana Walkingbear was bang on when he told attendees at this year’s Economic Partnership summit that everything happens for a reason.

That applies to the purpose of the event to bring Indigenous and non-indigenous business leaders together to make business partnerships.

“It’s not only about Indigenous people; it’s about working together for mutual benefit, mutual respect and understanding,” said Walkingbear at the Nissan Hall venue.

Economic reconciliation with First Nations was also top of mind for organizers at the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.

“I think people are starting to realize the importance of reconciliation,” said Chamber executive director Teri-Lynn MacKie at the event.

Each table had copies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action No. 92 to support business and economic partnerships.

This was the 10th Economic Partnership in Lloydminster and arguably the best ever, with panels on Indigenous tourism, entrepreneurship and human resource strategies.

There was a keynote talk by Indigenous MP Jody Wilson-Raybould in the WLS Convention Centre which drew huge crowds.

“This year, we are 100 per cent sold out. We have to put in extra tables; we sold out on our booths,” said MacKie, who counted more than 200 people for the full-day conference.

“We’ve never sold out in the past 10 years, but this year we’ve been able to sell out,” she said.

In total, about 600 people, including 300 students, were expected to hear Wilson-Raybould.

She’s a former MP for Vancouver Granville, a lawyer, advocate, and former regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and a member of the We Wai Kai Nation.

Wilson-Raybould is also a former federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

She was the last speaker on the summit agenda.

“I am really looking forward to all the speakers,” said Milton Tootoosis from Poundmaker Cree Nation and a founder of the Lloydminster summit.

“I’m always looking for an extra nugget that I can take from my personal development. I am hoping new friendships will develop from this summit and real business deals.”

Tootoosis was also looking forward to the business matchmaking component of the summit called Business Connections.

“I”m optimistic we’ll have some real business deals as a result of today’s gathering,” he added.

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers says the summit is very important to the economy of Lloydminster with First Nations in the surrounding area.

“We are a provider of services in business. I think all those play a key role in today’s summit,” said Aalbers.

“It just highlights how important the relationship is between Indigenous and non-Indigenous—our community and business communities that exist outside our community.”

He also thinks business reconciliation is still a work in progress but it’s come a long way over the past few summits.

“I think it’s ongoing. It continues to grow and I think that’s tremendous,” said Aalbers.

“We have First Nations business located in our community. That’s terrific, we’ve seen that grow over time.”

 

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Geoff Lee
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