Joint Gathering 2018

The Joint Gathering 2018, held from January 16-18 in Vancouver, BC, attracted over 500 delegates. Co‑hosted by BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nation Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (DISC), the Gathering encouraged respectful and open conversations to identify areas of collaboration to advance First Nation interests.

Dr. Brent Mainprize, NCIED business school champion, participated as a panelist in the plenary, Linking Skills to Economic Opportunities. During the discussion of strategies to promote sustainable economic development through skills and education, Dr. Mainprize had an opportunity to present the NCIED’s focus of providing community-based training. The Northwest Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs program (NW-ACE) demonstrated the success of a culturally appropriate entrepreneurial program, tailored for the community and delivered in the community. 

It was an honour for the NCIED to have the plenary introduced with the animated video, Brave New Paths: The Road to Indigenous Economic Reconciliation. The animation summarizes the UVic Ideafest event that the NCIED hosted last year at the Alix Goolden Hall with distinguished panelists, Ovide Mercredi, Guujaaw, Arthur Mercer and Dr. David Suzuki.