Your Calgary Chamber of Commerce

2009 AFN Keynote Luncheon Series

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and its standing, member-based Aboriginal Opportunities Committee is pleased to partner with the Treaty 7 First Nations to host the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 2009 Annual General Assembly from July 20 - 22, 2009.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens and the over 630 First Nations communities in Canada. The Chiefs meet annually to set national policy and direction through resolution. The National Chief is elected every three years by the Chiefs-in-Assembly, and 2009 is an election year for the position of National Chief.

Over 3000 delegates are expected to register for the event in Calgary: 650 voting delegates and over 2350 observers, Elders, youth and media.

As part of the social event program during the Assembly, the Calgary Chamber will host three keynote business luncheons to celebrate business excellence and share best practices. This luncheon series is sponsored by TransCanada Pipelines.

High profile speakers invited to deliver the luncheon keynotes include:

Monday, July 20 - The Chamber Presents Allan McLeod, President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd
Allan McLeod is the President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. (TCIG) and of Arctic Beverages Limited, the 2007 Pepsi Canada Bottler of the Year, which was recently nominated as one of four finalists for Pepsi-Cola's Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the Year Award -- the highest honor bestowed in the Pepsi system. He is President and CEO of First Canadian Health Management Corporation Inc., First Canadian Fuels Ltd., and the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg, all companies wholly owned or 51% owned by TCIG and is a Director of Exchange Industrial Income Funds, Artis REIT, First Canadian Water and Infrastructure and Tribal Marketing Communications Inc. In 2003, Allan was honored with the Top 40 under 40 awards, a Canadian national award presented to individuals under 40 years of age who are outstanding young leaders of today and tomorrow. Allan has been recognized by the Winnipeg Free Press as one of the 30 most powerful Manitobans.

Tuesday, July 21 - The Chamber Presents Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch'oh)
The Grand Chief will be speaking on the topic of the proposed first nations recognition and reconciliation legislation in BC.Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch'oh) is a Hereditary Chief of Tl'azt'en Nation located on the banks of the Nak'al Bun (Stuart Lake) in Northern BC. Chief John has been a lawyer for 30 years. He has a BA from the University of Victoria, an LLB from the University of BC and a Honourary Ph.D. from the University of Northern BC.

Chief John is currently serving his eighth consecutive term on the First Nations Summit Task Group (political executive), which is mandated to carry out specific tasks related to Aboriginal Title and Rights negotiations with BC and Canada and other issues of common concern to First Nations in BC.

Chief John has served in many leadership roles at the local, provincial, national and international levels. He is a former Co-Chair of the North American Indigenous Caucus and participated in the development of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was adopted by the United Nations in September of 2007.

Luncheon Co-Sponsored by Savanna Energy Services Corp.

Wednesday, July 22 - The Chamber Presents Herb George (Satsan), Chair of the First Nations Governance Centre
Satsan is the President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, a First Nations controlled initiative designed to help First Nations achieve their inherent right to self-government. Satsan is a Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief of the Frog Clan and has been a long-time Speaker for the Wet'suwet'en Nation and previously served as Speaker for both the Gitxsan and the Wet'suwet'en Nations. He was also Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, and taught for several years in the University's Administration of Aboriginal Governments Program.

Satsan has considerable experience with Aboriginal rights and title as well as Aboriginal self-government and education. He was a key figure and strategist in the Delgamuukw-Gisday Wa case, which was the subject of a successful judgement before the Supreme Court of Canada in December 1997. Satsan has offered advice and assistance to First Nations across British Columbia and Canada on the affirmation and recognition of Aboriginal rights, title and Treaty rights. Satsan served two - three year terms as the elected BC Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Satsan is trained in law and education. He attended Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. He is married and has three children.

Keynote Luncheon registration is now open for July 20, July 21, and July 22 by clicking on the date. Please note, keynote speaker for the luncheon on Tuesday is still to be confirmed.

To learn more about the Assembly of First Nations 2009 Annual General Assembly, and associated events, visit the 2009 Assembly of First Nations Host Committee Website.

To learn about the Chamber's Aboriginal Workforce Initiative click on the link here.

Aboriginal Workforce Symposium Resource Website

Business and First Nations leaders, government officials and Aboriginal service providers gathered at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce Symposium on March 25 and 26, 2009 to discuss how to improve labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people and fulfill businesses' need for a local and reliable workforce. Valuable presentation material is now available.

Access the Aboriginal Workforce Symposium Resource Website

The Symposium is part of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce's Aboriginal Workforce Initiative.

Learn more about the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Speaker Series