Leaders discuss business proposals in current political landscape at Toronto forum

By Sam Laskaris

TORONTO – A pair of Anishinabek leaders were among those who spoke at a mainstage session at the Central Business Forum in Toronto.

Garden River First Nation member Travis Boissoneau, Vice President of a government relations and communications firm, and Dokis First Nation member Karen Restoule, a leading First Nations advisor in the country, attended the forum held by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) on June 3.

Boissoneau and Restoule were on a panel called Navigating Uncertainty: Indigenous Business in Today’s Political Landscape, with CCIB president and CEO Tabatha Bull from Nipissing First Nation moderating the session. The forum was held at The Westin Harbour Castle on Toronto’s lakefront.

Both the federal and provincial governments have been expressing their desire to fast-track major infrastructure projects.

“I think that as First Nations businesses, as communities, we do have to prepare,” Boissoneau said. “We do have to do our part.”

Boissoneau, who helps lead Blackbird Strategies, wondered how serious governments are about First Nations inclusion in various proposed projects. As proof, he pointed to the recent First Ministers meeting that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney led in Saskatoon.

“They talk about major projects that are a priority for Indigenous leadership, yet no Indigenous leadership is there,” Boissoneau said.

But he believes there will be plenty of opportunities that can provide benefits.

“There’s such a diverse market out there for us to jump into,” he said. “But we’re really being herded in like cattle to be told what the priorities are.”

Boissoneau believes that it can change.

“We definitely have to be prepared to be ready to join the conversation, to jump at all the opportunities and announcements that are being made,” he said.

Restoule, who is the director of Indigenous affairs and senior fellow for Macdonald-Laurier Institute, also believes First Nations and Indigenous communities and businesses need to promote their availability to get better involved in projects.

“Be bullish,” she said. “Now is not the time to be shy.”

Restoule also said that the reality is that Indigenous identity right now is quite complex.

“It’s being manipulated by some folks, and that is causing a certain degree of mistrust from those in government, but also those in industry who don’t want to be part of an Indigenous identity scam,” she said.

To this end, Restoule said individuals looking to get involved with various projects should be able to quickly prove their Indigenous identity if requested to do so.

“You’re able to demonstrate to a potential partner that you understand that this is something that they may officially or unofficially be concerned about, and you are ready to go, you’re here in good will,” she added. “You’ve done the work and you’re ready to get started on that project.

Other panelists, which included Katharine Koostachin and Marci Surkes, participated in the candid and solutions-focussed conversation on how Indigenous business leaders can adapt to shifting political dynamics while continuing to drive meaningful progress in their communities.

The CCIB forum also featured a fireside discussion on how Artificial Intelligence is transforming Indigenous business; breakout sessions exploring themes such as empowering Indigenous women entrepreneurs, navigating itnernational, provincial, and treaty trade; and Indigenous-led economic development; and an Indigenous Women in Leadership Award Dinner to engage in bold conversations, spark new collaborations, and spotlight Indigenous business excellence across Canada.