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Join us for a panel discussion on trends in Indigenous resource development and best practices in Indigenous engagement for small and medium size businesses.
Date: Wednesday, October 26th, 2022
Time: 11:30am to 1:00pm EDT
Where: This panel discussion will be held online, via ZOOM
Registration: This session is FREE to attend but advance registration is required.
Panel Moderator
Michael Fox
President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE)
Michael Fox is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development.
He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development and has an MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise.
He is a Certified Professional Facilitator, a certified Change Management Practitioner, and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. He is the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Committee for the PDAC and is the Co-Chair for the Jury Panel for the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, where he was a board member for 6 years.
He’s a believer in higher education and has taught university courses to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.
He's originally from Weenusk First Nation. He is currently a candidate for a doctorate degree in business administration.
Panel Guests: More guests coming soon...
Rob Furlonger
Executive Director, Ontario First Nations Economic Developers Association
Rob Furlonger is a Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree in economics and marketing. He has more than 40 years in senior management roles in the Toronto region with twelve of those years managing and developing businesses for Rama First Nation as General Manager of Economic Development & Business Operations.
Rob spent six (6) years on the board of directors of the Ontario First Nations Economic Developers Association (OFNEDA) with three of those as Vice-Chair. Now as Executive Director, Rob has reorganized and revitalized OFNEDA with a new strategic vision and expanded partnerships that are focused on employment & skills training, procurement growth, industry research and mentorship.
Karen Ogen-Toews
CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance
Karen Ogen-Toews is the CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible LNG development in B.C. – with a priority on the environment, and on First Nations consultation and engagement.
Karen brings extensive experience to her role, having served as Chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for six years. Later, she became a council member for the Nation, holding the Natural Resources, Energy & Economic Development portfolios.
She is familiar with the needs of Indigenous communities throughout B.C. and seeks to increase economic opportunities for First Nations through providing information and education regarding responsible resource development.
While Karen recognizes that not all projects will be appropriate for all nations, she hopes to help inspire more First Nations to consider and engage in discussions with industry and government around the possibility of resource opportunities.
Karen’s academic background is in social work. She achieved her Master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2007, and graduated from the Indigenous Governance Certificate Program from the University of Victoria in 2010. She successfully completed in 2022 her the Masters in Business Administration program from Simon Fraser University, in the Indigenous Business Leadership program.
Karen was named one of the “35 Most Influential Women in BC: The power to disrupt” in March 2016, by BC Business Magazine. And she was elected in two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022 as one of the Business in Vancouver BC 500: The most influential business leaders in British Columbia, in the Resources: Oil and Gas sector.
Jason Thompson
President, Superior Strategies Inc.
President, Warrior Engineering Ltd.
A proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band, Jason Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Superior Strategies Inc. and Warrior Engineering Ltd teams. With over 20 years of business and management experience, Mr. Thompson has proven to be a skilled executive and visionary entrepreneur.
Jason sits as the President of both Superior Strategies Inc. as well as Warrior Engineering Ltd, both are majority Indigenous Owned and Operated Businesses, and have demonstrated continued growth year after year. The never setting and opportunistic traits, are also evident in the recent launch of his very own Warrior Brand, which includes a variety of PPE, Work Wear and most recently Warrior Apparel.
Throughout his career Jason has always demonstrated strong leadership skills and has realized the importance of building and maintaining a successful team. Never settling, collaborative, out of the box thinker are a few adjectives that can be used to explain Jason. A proud father of three, who recently welcomed his second Grand Child, Jason and his wife high Tara (High School Sweethearts) are celebrating 26 Years of Marriage, ultimately linking his success to his strong family support.
Jason remains a very strong advocate for meaningful participation of Indigenous People and Businesses on a local and National level.
Resource Champions Series - Creating ...Date and Time
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EDTLocation
Virtual Session, via ZOOM
Fees/Admission
Free to attend, but advance registration is required.