It is my pleasure to welcome you to CCIB’s Central Business Forum and to thank you for being part of our growing and committed community. We’re excited to be back in Toronto, bringing people together to explore pathways for economic growth, share learning and create opportunities to build meaningful business relationships.
Grounded in the theme Rooted In Purpose, Growing Through Connection, this forum is more than a traditional conference. It is an intentional space designed to foster collaboration and build the connections needed to support long-term success for Indigenous businesses and the broader economy.
Throughout the day, I encourage you to engage with the Indigenous and non-Indigenous business leaders in attendance, whose unique insights and experience are driving industry conversations and truly moving the needle towards meaningful economic reconciliation.
On the main stage, we will explore the future of Indigenous participation in major projects across Canada. We are also proud to host a dedicated AI workshop focused on practical tools for today’s business challenges.
We hope you will leave here today with a renewed perspective on what shared prosperity can look like when we work together. We invite you to visit the Indigenous marketplace, enjoy the Indigenous entertainment and take every opportunity to engage and network with fellow attendees, speakers and panelists.
On behalf of CCIB, I extend a sincere thank you to our lead sponsor, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), our host Jessica Dumas, and to all our sponsors, speakers and participants. Your presence here today and ongoing commitment to support the Indigenous economy truly make a meaningful difference.
We look forward to welcoming you to future CCIB events as we continue this important work together, building lasting change for generations to come.
Chi Miigwetch
Tabatha Bull
President & CEO
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
CCIB Board of Directors
Michael Jacobs, Co-Chair
Desiree Norwegian, Co-Chair
Pamela Zabarylo, Treasurer
Mathieu Boucher
Mark Brajer
Rob Brant
Jon Davey
Paul Gruner
Linda Hartford
Michael Hungerford
Lisa Issac
Annie Korver
Dylan MacLennan
Barbara McKenzie
Sarah Midanik
Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons
Jeff Provost
Rory Richards
Johanne Senécal
Mark Shadeed
Kallie Wood
FORUM AGENDA
9:00 am
10:00 am
10:40 am
10:50 am
From Boardrooms to Business Plans: Entrepreneurship and Corporate Leadership Shifting the Focus: Why Indigenous Champion Small Businessin room Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub 11:30 am
12:25 pm Buffet Lunch
1:05 pm Major Projects in Practice: The Future Projects in Canada presented by Ontario
1:50 pm
2:45 pm
3:15 pm
3:55 pm
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 (AFTERNOON Emerging Trends and Tools in Procurement: Supply Chains in room Queens Quay Canada
From Boardrooms to Business Plans: Entrepreneurship and Corporate Leadership
Shifting the Focus: Why Indigenous Champion Small Businessin room Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Networking Break
Achieve More, Work Less: Practical AI
Closing Remarks
SPEAKERS
Elder Amy currently works at Toronto Metropolitan University in the office of Indigenous initiatives as lead of the rebirthed teachings working group. She is an instructor for Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s community health worker training program, and an executive board member at the Centre for World Indigenous Studies. In 2024, she started teaching Anishinaabemowin beginners’ classes for Ninaatigoons. Now in its fourth season, Giinwi Ntam wii-Nishnaabemying is a study group she founded with other intermediate learners.ElderAmyisalsoamemberofSpiritwind Singerswithperformances alloverTkarontoasagroupandindividualhanddrummer.
