5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Opening Night Reception
Location: Junior Ballroom, Level 3
End the event with a casual evening of entertainment, food, and networking. Connect with fellow attendees, CCIB board members, speakers, and staff. Tickets can be added when you register for the event.
Presented by Bank of Montreal (BMO)
9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Indigenous Artisans Marketplace
Location: Junior Ballroom Foyer, Level 3
We invite you to visit and explore the Indigenous Marketplace, which will feature a diverse selection of Indigenous artisans and businesses, offering unique products and showcasing local craftsmanship.
Presented by iA Financial Group
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: The Grounding Space
9:00 a.m.: Registration & Coffee Connection
Location: Lower Lobby, LL Level
Check in and pick-up your badge at registration, and then head up for some refreshments, food, and shopping.
10:00 a.m.: Forum Opening
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Host
Elder Blessing
Lead Sponsor
Incoming President & CEO Remarks
10:45 a.m.: Networking with Prompty
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Take your networking to the next level with Prompty. Hear from Founder & CEO, James McInnes, about how this Canadian and Indigenous-owned technology is transforming the way we connect. Designed as a relationship manager, not a social network, Prompty makes in-person networking more efficient, enjoyable, and secure. As CCIB’s official event app, Prompty will power your on-site experience from start to finish.
Don’t forget to pick up your Prompty networking tool onsite and join the event in advance (link provided upon registration).
10:55 a.m.: Lightning Talks
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
This segment brings together a series of inspiring 7-minute talks from diverse Indigenous voices, all aligned with our 2026 event theme: Rooted in Purpose. Growing through Connection. The talks provide powerful insights, ideas, and stories, in a concise, engaging format, sparking conversation, deepening connection, and inspiring action.
Presented by: Sophie Fenus, BC Hire & Buy Local Lead, TC Energy
Coming Full Circle: From Corporate Deals to Community Purpose
The Business of Being Who You Are
Empowering the Next Gen of Indigenous Digital Creators
Persistence, Overcomes Resistance
11:55 a.m.: Breakout Session 1 (Morning – Repeat of Afternoon)
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Unlocking Access to Capital
Hear from leading financial institutions about their programs and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, including funding pathways, business support services, and key eligibility criteria. Following each presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with representatives from major financial institutions.
Presented by Export Development Canada
Moderator
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Location: Junior Ballroom D
Navigating Indigenous Procurement
This panel will bring together Indigenous business leaders to share practical insights from their own experiences navigating the procurement landscape. Hear directly from those who are doing it as they share how they identified and pursued opportunities, navigated challenges and risks, and found success through procurement. The conversation will offer real-world perspectives and lessons learned from businesses that have experienced the opportunities and complexities of Indigenous procurement firsthand.
Moderator
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Speaker
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Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Less Hype, More Hours Back
You don’t need a tech team to use AI well. In this hands-on session, Ryan St. Germaine works through the tasks businesses actually face — managing your schedule, producing a social post and the graphic to go with it, and standing up a simple website or app without writing code. Live demos, real tools, no jargon. You’ll also get straight answers on what’s safe to put into these tools and what isn’t. Leave with prompts you can use the same week.
Presented by BDC
Location: Junior Ballroom C
Indigenous Leadership: Leading Our People, Our Businesses, and Our Future
The future of Indigenous prosperity depends on strong, courageous leadership. This interactive workshop explores how Indigenous values and worldviews shape authentic leadership, strengthen relationships, and guide decisions that benefit both present and future generations. Participants will deepen their understanding of Indigenous leadership and leave with actionable tools to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose in their organizations, businesses, and communities.
12:40 p.m.: Buffet Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Enjoy a variety of dishes while networking with fellow attendees.
1:30 p.m.: Mainstage Session: Investing in the Next Generation: Our Role in Empowering Indigenous Youth
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Across Canada, Indigenous youth are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the country and will play a major role in shaping the future of our workforce, our communities and our economy. This inspiring conversation brings together Bears’ Lair business youth camp alumni at different stages of their journeys. Panelists will share what inspires them, what challenges they face, what gives them confidence, and what they need from educators, employers, businesses, governments and communities in order to succeed.
Moderator
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Geena Jackson Co-Founder & Executive Producer, Bears’ Lair TV | Co-Founder, Bears’ Lair Dream Camps | Co-Founder & President, Indigenous Initiatives | Co-Host, Beyond the Lair Podcast
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2:25 p.m.: Breakout Session 2 (Afternoon – Repeat of Morning)
Location: Junior Ballroom AB
Unlocking Access to Capital
Hear from leading financial institutions about their programs and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, including funding pathways, business support services, and key eligibility criteria. Following each presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with representatives from major financial institutions.
Presented by Export Development Canada
Moderator
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Location: Junior Ballroom AB
Navigating Indigenous Procurement
This panel will bring together Indigenous business leaders to share practical insights from their own experiences navigating the procurement landscape. Hear directly from those who are doing it as they share how they identified and pursued opportunities, navigated challenges and risks, and found success through procurement. The conversation will offer real-world perspectives and lessons learned from businesses that have experienced the opportunities and complexities of Indigenous procurement firsthand.
Moderator
Speaker
Speaker
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Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Better Partners: Using AI to Check for Bias and Extraction
You already know the tools. This session shows you how to point them back at your own work. Ryan St. Germaine demonstrates live how to use AI to surface bias in your content, your systems, and your engagement plans before they reach a community — and how to pressure-test whether a project is genuinely reciprocal or quietly extractive. Practical prompts, real examples, and a repeatable method you can run on your next proposal. Built for organizations that want to work well with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and want a way to check themselves.
Presented by BDC
Location: Junior Ballroom C
Indigenous Leadership: Leading Our People, Our Businesses, and Our Future
The future of Indigenous prosperity depends on strong, courageous leadership. This interactive workshop explores how Indigenous values and worldviews shape authentic leadership, strengthen relationships, and guide decisions that benefit both present and future generations. Participants will deepen their understanding of Indigenous leadership and leave with actionable tools to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose in their organizations, businesses, and communities.
3:10 p.m.: Networking Break
Location: Junior Ballroom Foyer, Level 3
Enjoy some refreshments and light snacks. This is your final chance to stop by the Indigenous artisan marketplace!
3:50 p.m.: Mainstage Session: Spark Session
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Connect with fellow conference attendees to spark discussion around the day’s themes. Attendees will join roundtable conversations to explore key topics in greater depth while also creating opportunities to network and connect with one another.
4:20 p.m.: Closing Remarks
A final reflection on the day’s insights and a note of thanks to our speakers, sponsors, and guests.
6:00 p.m.: Red Carpet Photo Shoot
Location: Lower Lobby, LL Level
Make your way down the Indigenous designed red carpet by Destiny Seymour for a photo before joining us for the cocktail reception.
Presented By: Sodexo Canada
6:00 p.m.: Cocktail Reception
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
Join us for an evening reception to network with attendees over cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.
Presented By: CIBC
7:00 p.m.: Awards Dinner Opening
Location: Grand Ballroom, Grand Ballroom Level
Host
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Geena Jackson Co-Founder & Executive Producer, Bears’ Lair TV | Co-Founder, Bears’ Lair Dream Camps | Co-Founder & President, Indigenous Initiatives | Co-Host, Beyond the Lair Podcast
Elder Blessing
Lead Sponsor
Incoming President & CEO Remarks
7:40 p.m.: Award Presentation
Award Category Presentation: Award for Excellence in Indigenous Relations
Presented by: Jason Welter, VP, Human Resources, Sysco International Americas
8:00 p.m.: Dinner
Enjoy a delicious dinner that complements the evening’s celebration and fosters meaningful connections.
8:45 p.m.: Award Presentation
Award Category Presentation: Indigenous Small Business of the Year
Presented by: Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, CEO and Co-owner, Bouchier
9:05 p.m.: Award Presentation
Award Category Presentation: Indigenous Business of the Year
Presented by: ESS
9:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks
Conclusion of the evening with a heartfelt thanks and recognition of the outstanding achievements celebrated tonight.
