IPSS 2025 AGENDA

REGISTRATION

7:00 AM – Registration Opens

Join us early to check in, enjoy coffee, and connect with fellow delegates.
7:30 AM – Breakfast Opens

THE SUMMIT - Room 118-120, Level 1

Hosted by Dallas Smith, the Summit brings together senior Indigenous and industry leaders for in-depth conversations on partnership, policy, and progress.

8:30 AM – WELCOME REMARKS
Dallas Smith, Summit MC

8:33 AM – Virtual Welcome Address
The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Wendy Cocchia

8:35 AM – Introduction to IPSS 2025
Malcolm Macpherson, IPSS Event Chair

8:41 AM – Founder Remarks
Stewart Muir, Founder, Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase

Welcome International Consul Generals and Envoys

8:45 AM – OPENING CEREMONY
Deanna Lewis, IPSS 2025 Advisory Council; Elected Councillor Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) 

9:00 AM – Panel: Unlocking BC’s Economy: Innovative First Nations Partnerships
Moderator: Stuart McNish, Host, Conversations Live.
Panelists: 

• Stephen Lee, CEO, Musqueam Capital Corporation 

• Bob Rennie, Founder and Executive Director, rennie Intelligence

• Jeff Mycock, Vice President Canadian Woodlands, West Fraser

• Catherine Pennington, Senior Director, Indigenous Advisory Services, KPMG

• Chief Derek Epp, Tzeachten First Nation

10:00 AM – Keynote Speaker: Grand Chief Jerry Daniels Southern Chiefs’ Organization

10:30 AM –  Keynote Speaker: Crystal Smith, Former Elected Chief Councillor Haisla Nation

10:45 AM - Fireside Chat: Canadian LNG on the Global Stage: How Indigenous Collaboration Sets BC Apart — Grounded in the Squamish Nation–Woodfibre LNG Experience. Moderator: Stewart Muir, CEO, Resource Works Society 

Panelists:

• Luke Schauerte, CEO, Woodfibre LNG

• Chief Ian Campbell, Hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation

11:15 AM – Morning Break (Coffee, tea, sweet treats)

11:30 AM – Panel: Indigenous Equity – Partnerships in Major Projects.
Moderator: Allie Meeres, Partner, Sedgwick Strategies

Panelists:

• Emily Black, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Enbridge

• Sharon Singh, Partner, McMillan LLP

• Catherine Pennington, Senior Director, Indigenous Advisory Services KPMG

12:00 PM – Summit Lunch (Lunch is served buffet style with Summit guests returning to Rooms 118-120 to continue conversations and networking)

1:00 PM – Guest Speaker
MLA A’a:liya Warbus, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and the Official Opposition House Leader

1:15 PM – Panel: 10 Years’ Later – Is This What They Meant by Reconciliation?
Moderator: Margareta Dovgal, Managing Director, Resource Works Society
Panelists:

• Karen Restoule, Director of Indigenous Affairs and a Senior Fellow at Macdonald-Laurier Institute

• MP Ellis Ross, Member of The House of Commons - Skeena--Bulkley Valley

• Malcolm Macpherson, IPSS Event Chair, National Chair of the Indigenous Practice at Whitelaw Twining.

2:00 PM –  Fireside Chat: Building on Lessons Learned - Maximizing the Positive Impact of Future Major Project.

Panelists: 

• Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations Natural Gas Alliance

• Ryan Bruce, Government Relations Director, CLAC 

2:30 PM - Afternoon Break (Coffee, tea, sweet treats)

2:45 PM – Fireside Chat: The Bridge Within: How Indigenous Employees Strengthen Partnerships, Projects, and Reconciliation (Sponsored by Teck)

• Janis Brooks, Principal Salishan Solutions 

• Lisa Grisenthwaite, Coordinator, Regulatory and Engagement, HVC

3:15 PM - Panel - Financing Shared Prosperity: Global capital, Indigenous equity, real projects

Moderator: Susannah Pierce, former President and Country Chair, Shell Canada 

Panelists:

• Kody Penner, Vice President Corporate Development, Nations Royalty 

• TBA

4:00 PM – Fireside Chat - Beyond the Table: Certainty, Growth, and Shared Prosperity
Moderator: Stewart Muir, CEO Resource Works Society 

Panelists:

• Christy Clark, Former Premier of British Columbia 

• Sashia Leung, Director of International Relations and Communications, BC Treaty Commission 

4:30 PM – Final Remarks: Stewart Muir, Founder, IPSS

4:40 PM – Closing Ceremony - Deanna Lewis, Elected Councillor Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) 

5:00 PM – THE SUMMIT CONCLUDES

THE GATHERING: RECONCILIATION IN ACTION - Rooms 109-110, Level 1

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Room 109-110 

The Gathering features stories of community leadership, cultural revitalization, and innovation—spotlighting Indigenous entrepreneurs, youth, and changemakers.

9:00 AM – Welcome Remarks
Malcolm Macpherson, IPSS Event Chair

9:05 AM – Opening Remarks
Angela Grier, Gathering MC

9:10 AM – OPENING CEREMONY
Deanna Lewis, Elected Councillor Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) 

9:25 AM – Keynote Address
Crystal Smith, Former Elected Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation

9:45 AM – Guest Speaker
Elaine Alec, Founder, Naqsmist Storytellers

10:15 AM - Indian Residential School Survivors Society (cultural demonstration) 

10:30 AM – Panel One: Leadership in Action – Indigenous Voices Shaping Canada’s Economic Future
Moderator: Lana Eagle, Indigenous Relations Strategist
Panelists:

• Angela D’Amato van den Hout, CEO Nan wúújǫ anawúúdle Restoration Society

• MLA A’a:liya Warbu, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and the Official Opposition House Leader

• Nalaine Morin, Senior Vice President Environment and Social Affairs, Skeena Gold + Silver 

11:00 AM – Morning Break (Coffee, tea, sweet treats)

11:15 AM – Guest Speaker: Karen Restoule, Director of Indigenous Affairs and Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute 

11:45 AM – Guest Speaker: Ellis Ross, Member of Parliament, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, British Columbia

12:00 PM - Lunch (Ballroom D)

1:30 PM – Fireside Chat: The Bridge Within: How Indigenous Employees Strengthen Partnerships, Projects, and Reconciliation (Sponsored by Teck)

Panelists: 

• Janis Brooks, Principal Salishan Solutions 

• Lisa Moses, Lead, Social Performance, NABU

• 10 min Q & A 

2:00 PM - Guest Speaker: Garry Oker, Creative Director, BC Hydro Site C Dam Cultural Centre 

2:30 PM – Afternoon break

2:45 PM – Guest Speaker: Jennifer Taback, Co-CEO, Design de Plume

3:15  PM – Building Nations, Building Futures 

Moderator: Edward Johnson, Executive Council for Huu-ay-aht First Nations

• Isaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor, CEO Kitasoo Xai'xais Development Corporation

• Deanna Lewis, Elected Councillor Squamish Nation 

• Andy Robinson, CEO Nisga'a Lisims Government 

3:45 PM -  Guest Speaker John Desjarlais, Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network 

4:00 PM – Panel: The Next Generation of Nation Builders
Moderator: Angela Grier, First Nations Registered Provisional Psychologist

• Katisha Paul, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Youth Representative, BC First Nations Justice Council Policy Analyst, United Nations GIYC Co-Chair

• Kylie Jack, Articling Student, Legal Excellence Program, Department of Justice Canada 

• Benjamin Copper-Janvier, Senior Advisor MNP 

4:30 PM – CLOSING REMARKS: Dallas Smith

4:40 PM – CLOSING CEREMONY: Kymani Seymour 

5:00 PM – THE GATHERING CONCLUDES

Woodfibre LNG Networking Reception

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Ballroom Foyer

Join fellow delegates for light refreshments, networking, and celebration of the day’s insights.

5:45 PM – Remarks by Luke Schauerte, CEO, Woodfibre LNG
5:58 PM – Welcome to The Gala – Deanna Lewis, IPSS Advisory Council

The Gala Dinner & Shared Prosperity Award Show

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

.