Jason W. Johnston is an Anishinaubae from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation in Ontario. He holds multiple diplomas and a master's degree in environmental science and outdoor studies. With over a decade and a half of experience, he has worked for various national parks in Canada and private organizations, incorporating Indigenous cultural knowledge and ways of knowing. He has also worked as an environmental monitoring technician and grizzly bear guide.

Since 2018, he has taught numerous classes for Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and has been the Interpretive Program Coordinator for Cape Croker Park since 2020. Additionally, he serves as the Ontario representative on the Executive Board of Directors for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and is a professor in the Tourism Management department at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia.

Morgan is a contract instructor with Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and will be facilitating the accredited training course, ACED 151 (Leadership Development). He has a background in Municipal-Indigenous relations, Indigenous CED and organizational development. Morgan currently works in the municipal sector and co-owns a small CED research and consulting business.

Morgan holds an MBA in Community Economic Development (Cape Breton University), a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Sport and Recreation (University of Alberta). He is PAED (Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer) certified through Cando. He and his wife and son live in Edmonton.

John Johnstone is joining Cando as the Associate Director – Procurement, on a long-term assignment from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to increasing Indigenous participation in federal procurement. Based in Victoria, BC, John will provide focused support to Economic Development Officers, communities, and businesses to navigate Government of Canada procurement opportunities. John brings over 20 years of experience with the Government of Canada and has an extensive background in project management, strategic engagement, business development, and economics.

Ryland Brennan is a settler based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) who has worked in the Indigenous Relations space on behalf of industry, government, and Indigenous communities across Canada for just over a decade. Having worked for both Indigenous organizations and private industry, Ryland has led governance improvement initiatives, developed, led, and implemented multiple Project and Program-specific Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs), and supported multi-year projects through the regulatory process.

He is currently a Principal Consultant with Acosys Consulting Services Inc. providing Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients with the support and direction they need to continue their success. When Ryland was asked to submit a bio that included something about his personality, he realized that he has no notable hobbies or interests other than spending time with his wife and two young children.

Ryland is a recipient of the Faculty of Arts Student Association (FASA) Builders Award for his contributions to the University of Calgary; holds a Bachelors Degree in Law and Society, and has attained additional credentials in Negotiation, Mediation, Project Management, Leadership, and Indigenous Relations.

Tim works in the Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy Directorate at Indigenous Services Canada where he manages the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business and the Indigenous Business Directory. He provides policy advice and guidance to the procurement community, as well as, supports and educates Indigenous business owners looking to sell their goods and services to the Government of Canada. Prior to working with Indigenous Services Canada, Tim was with Public Services and Procurement Canada where he was focused on the development of standard templates and tools for contracting officers to include in their solicitations to increase the representation of Indigenous businesses and Peoples in federal procurement. He also led the implementation of the Nunavut Directive, providing support to contracting authorities working on procurement files in Nunavut and other Modern Treaty areas.

Tim is a veteran of the Canadian Forces, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Manitoba.

Paul Macedo is excited to promote the tremendous work that Cando does as a leading authority on Indigenous Economic Development. In his role as Communications Director, Paul oversees the relationships between Cando and its many partners in the public and private sectors. Paul also oversees the development and distribution of all Cando communications including - the main Cando website (edo.ca) the e-newsletters, Cando Connect magazine, plus all of Cando's growing social media channels (facebook, twitter and linkedIn). More recently, Paul has assumed the lead role for Cando's marketing and sponsorships/fundraising for Cando's various events, special projects and overall programming.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Alberta where he received a Bachelors of Education and a Masters of Business Administration.

Matt is an integral member of Business Link, where he leads a team of strategists and program specialists. Business Link, a government-supported non-profit, assists over 6,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners each year, offering tailored guidance to help them start and grow. With specialist programming for Indigenous and Immigrant entrepreneurs, the organization also spearheads initiatives to enhance digital adoption among Alberta's small businesses. Matt's enthusiasm for small businesses is evident. He views them as vital force in the community, contributing significantly to Alberta's vibrant quality of life. Business Link's ethos resonates with his personal beliefs: fostering sustainable, rewarding enterprises that enrich community life.

With a background in the UK as a small business owner and leadership roles in the education and non-profit sectors, Matt brings a varied perspective to his work. Alberta has been his home for the past six years, a place where he appreciates the inclusive spirit and the daily buzz of entrepreneurial energy.

Tyson Wright is the Network Coordinator for Community Futures Treaty Seven. His role is to facilitate promotion and raised awareness within the southern Alberta Business Community of CFT7-funded employment services and candidates – through direct and digital engagements. His Siksika Name is “Niinaamskopakitopi” (Medicine Pipe Rider). As a Blackfoot member of the Siksika Nation, Tyson is motivated to work collaboratively with the Stakeholders of Treaty Seven, in building relationships through advocating and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Tyson enjoys travelling the world, meeting new people from around the world and learning from diverse cultures and backgrounds. He has received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary and Indigenous of Social Work Diploma.

Community Futures Treaty 7 Presentation will Highlight:

• Introduction of Stakeholders and Treaty Seven Tribes – Culture Awareness
• About CFT7 mission and mandate
• CFT7 Services & Programs
• Capacity Building
• Promoting of business case for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

With a strong connection to her Anishinabe roots in Manitoba, Winona lives out her passion through storytelling, philanthropy and supporting the economic, social, and cultural aspirations of Indigenous people across Western Canada. Being a strong advocate and leader in business and workforce development, Winona recognizes the need for Indigenous Inclusion in all aspects of her role as Director of the National Energy Business Centre of Excellence at the Indian Resources Council. Her work and volunteer experience spans over three decades, focusing her efforts on empowering and engaging with youth and Indigenous leaders to address social, environmental, technological, and economic challenges. As owner of Indigenous Innovative Solutions, she continues to create innovative solutions that focus on regeneration and restoration of Mother Earth.

She is an active member of the Energy Futures Lab, Clean Resource Innovative Network, Rotary Club of Calgary North, Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, Project Forest and is currently working on several community-led projects provincially and internationally. Her ancestral knowledge and ways of being helps to foster the growing demand for the sharing of ecological knowledge and wise management practices that will aid in reducing our environmental footprint and create a viable and sustainable future for many generations to come. Anyone who knows of her will say she “lives to give” with love and kindness!

Mr. Gibson has over 15 years of experience working in Indigenous Business and Economic Development in Alberta and is passionate about helping communities to grow their economies. Mr. Gibson’s experience includes 17 years working at Indigenous and Services Canada (ISC) in finance, community economic development, and business development positions. He has also been working for Whiskeyjack Group as a sub-consultant for the past 5 years. Mr. Gibson received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 2002. He also obtained the Certified Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant Designation (CPA, CMA) in 2016 and left ISC in August of 2018 to pursue his consultancy business on a full-time basis.

Ken Hein is awarded the esteemed Fellow Certified Management Consultant designation with 35 years of experience. His in-depth expertise developed through a balanced mix of public and private sector consulting assignments including work with First Nations, municipal, provincial and private industry. Ken’s approach is client-focused, forward thinking and business-oriented on both business and technology-based initiatives. He has led as well as provided support on many assignments in Business Transformation, Project Management and Risk.

Ken’s expertise includes Business Case Development, Strategic and Outcome Planning, Governance, Change Management, Process Design and Documentation, highly success with responding by way of proposals to Public Procurement (experience in writing over 250 RFP documents over the past 15 years with public sector organizations), Coaching, Training, Facilitation. Ken has developed over 40 Business Cases over the past 25 years. His consulting focus is aimed at assisting organizations improve performance, achieve business objectives, and manage opportunities and risk with an overarching goal of value creation.

Ken has the following education:

• Fellow Certified Management Consultant (FCMC) – Since 2015
• Certified Management Consultant (CMC) – Since March 1997
• Challenge Dialogue certificate with a methodology to support complex projects in 2020
• Business/Technology diploma – Since January 1990
• University of Manitoba – Managerial Accounting diploma (1982-1983)
• University of Alberta Faculty of Extension – Project Management courses (1995 – 1996)

Jan Davies has been with the Federal Government since Oct 2006 with the various iterations of Indigenous Services Canada. He first started with Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) as a Water Resource Officer conducting Water Licence Inspections of arctic communities and industrial activities in the North Mackenzie District of the Northwest Territories. During this time he was driving, boating and flying around the region inspecting various activities that had to do with water, wastewater and solid waste (it was his dream job). Next he was a Water Strategy Officer in the Yukon Region with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) working with the Water Strategy, coordinating the Circuit Rider Training Program and providing program/funding support to various First Nations’ water/wastewater infrastructure projects. Currently he works with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) out of the Alberta Region Office (Edmonton) with their Environment and Natural Resources Unit assisting with environmental reviews, environmental emergencies/incidents, funding audits, but primarily working with the First Nation Solid Waste Management Program. He’s an outdoorsman and enjoys buying and selling outdoor gear. He lives with his wife and three boys just outside of Edmonton and still misses the North.

Feinan Long is a Policy Officer at Alberta Region ISC whose team supports the various land management related self-governance initiatives undertaken by First Nations. Feinan has a master’s degree in rural planning and development from University of Guelph, and has previously worked at Alberta municipalities as a land use planner. She is keen to re-learn land use planning and stewardship from the perspectives of Indigenous communities and leaders.

Carmelle Nepoose is from Samson Cree Nation of Maskwacis, Alberta. Carmelle has a Business Administration Accounting Diploma from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She started with Cando in 2018 as the Special Projects Coordinator and eventually transferred to the position of Certification Coordinator for the Western Region of Canada. She is currently a CEDI Program Officer.

She was previously employed with Samson Cree Nation, where she was a dedicated employee in the Residential Development department. Carmelle looks forward to having the opportunity to work with many accomplished Indigenous Economic Development Officers and Land Managers from across Canada. Working in multiple positions at Cando she has gained valuable work experience and enjoys networking with professionals in the field of Economic Development.

Crystal Janvier-Romaniuk is the Executive Director of TALSAA. Crystal brings a strong educational background, and she is dedicated to advocating for the empowerment of First Nations communities through land management training and networking. TALSAA continues to make significant strides in promoting sustainable land practices and economies, while also prioritizing the preservation of traditional values and practices.

Alexander Marques (MScPl) - is a land use planner that has worked extensively with Michipicoten First Nation, authoring their first Land Use Plan and leading a wide range of research, policy and construction projects over the previous 3.5 years including residential subdivision, community and health facility expansions, the development of a business park and open air market and infrastructure improvements. Currently leading the Land Use Planning unit at the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA), Alex is looking forward to being a part of training the next generation of Land Managers in Land Use Planning, advocating for first nations development and land use planning activities, and supporting first nations in undertaking their own land use planning processes across Canada.

Leann has been the CEO of Economic Developers Alberta since 2009. In 2014, Leann completed a project with 11 Alberta flood impacted communities. In 2016-17, she worked with the Fort McMurray region on business and economic recovery by setting up and operating the business hotline; validating businesses for Red Cross emergency relief; and leading a 10-member economic recovery assessment team to the region. In 2019 she updated the Community Toolkit for Economic Recovery and Resiliency (Canadian Version) to help communities prepare for and recover from economic disruptions, and brought this resiliency training program to Canada in 2017.

In addition to her work at EDA, she heads up MYD Global, which is focused on community capacity building, resilience and recovery. At the end of December 2017, she released her “Master Your Disaster” series of guidebooks on Amazon designed to help individuals, businesses and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In 2018, she received Public Safety Canada’s Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award-Resilient Communities.

Natalie Gibson, is President of InnoVisions and Associates. For more than 20 years Natalie has been inspiring community leaders towards positive change through her work in both the public and private sectors. Natalie is a dedicated problem solver who can identify, discuss and determine the best path forward in a myriad of situations on any scale. Her superior communications skills and clear focus allows her to work closely with clients to determine initial and long-term success using the most efficient and effective tools available. As part of the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Natalie has worked on countless projects across Canada and the U.S. including her work with the EDA’s Emergency Disaster Recovery Project during the Alberta Floods of 2013 and in 2017 following the Fort McMurray wildfire.

As a teacher and motivator, Natalie delivered one of Canada’s first Community Economic Development Training Programs (CEDTP) through the EDA, inspiring hundreds of community representatives, elected officials and industry leaders. Natalie’s ability to objectively assess an organization’s advantages and faults allows her to uncover opportunities in business retention, expansion and investment, building wealth and boosting economies across the country.

Shawna Morning Bull whose traditional name is Ikannaisapiistikomi (Low Owl Hoot Woman) is a member of the Piikani First Nation which is apart of the Blackfoot Confederacy, She is presently employed as the Manager Business Development at Community Futures Treaty Seven (CFT7) in Calgary, Alberta for the past 13 years. Prior, she was a Business Loans Manager with Alberta Indian Investment Corporation and a Business Support Officer with Indian Business Corporation, but her career in business began with Peace Hills Trust in 1997. She has attended Lethbridge College for Business Management and Criminal Justice. In June 2022, attended Harvard Business School and completed a one week Leadership Program.

Shawna was on the Piikani Resource Development Limited Board of Directors from August 2011 to January 2020, an entity operating on her homelands of the Piikani Nation to develop, design and implement projects, programs and services for the benefit of her First Nation economy. Shawna, was also on the Board of Directors with CANDO as the Alberta Representative from 2013 to 2022. Shawna is the 2018 recipient of the Chief David Crowchild Award, she was presented this award by Mayor Nenshi in June 2018 for her efforts to build bridges in and around Calgary between indigenous and non-indigenous people and entities.

Shawna is married to Wade and together they have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. She enjoys attending her children’s activities such as college basketball, hockey, mixed martial arts, wrestling and they all enjoy hitting the powwow trail, where Shawna is a traditional dancer.

Michelle Nieviadomy is Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) with a passion for wellness, social justice & community development. She is a member of Kawacatoose First Nation and while her roots are in Saskatchewan, she has called Edmonton home for the past 20 years. She is the Assistant Director at the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.

She is an entrepreneur with her own business called Iskwew Health promoting health & wellness in various capacities! (Zumba, meditation, bootcamp, fitness kickboxing, wellness retreats) She believes movement is medicine & connection is everything!