Rights, Respect and Reconciliation: Forward Together
National Chief
Perry Bellegarde
More than a year after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its impactful final report, "Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future," much remains unclear about how all Canadians — and the Canadian business community in particular — can take meaningful steps to put reconciliation into action.
One of the report's key calls to action centres on the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian economy and the role of rights implementation, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as meaningful consultation, ensuring fair access to education, training, and employment opportunities. All of this requires some fundamental shifts in how business engages with Indigenous peoples across the country.
It's clear that the path forward requires new ways of working together, strengthening relationships, and engaging in truly collaborative dialogue and action. In the spirit of reconciliation and moving forward together, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde returns to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade to address our membership on rights, respect, and reconciliation.
About the speaker:
Perry Bellegarde was elected as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on December 10, 2014 after a career spent making measurable progress on the issues that matter most to First Nations people. First elected as Councillor and then Chief of Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, he also served as Tribal Chair of the Touchwood-File Hills-Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, and as Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and Saskatchewan Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.
National Chief Bellegarde is a strong advocate for the implementation of Inherent Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. He has made presentations at the national and international levels in many forums, including the United Nations Committee for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and various United Nations bodies on the subject of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In 1984, Perry Bellegarde became the first Treaty Indian to graduate from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Administration. In 2012, he completed Certified Corporate Board Training through The Directors College sponsored by the Conference Board of Canada and McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business. National Chief Bellegarde is the recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal (2012), Saskatchewan Medal (2005), Queen's Jubilee Medal (2002) and Confederation Medal (1992). He has been honoured by several Chiefs and Elders who have acknowledged him as their adopted son, and he honours them by carrying their teachings forward as he works toward the implementation of Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights, self-determination and a shared vision for a more just and inclusive Canada.
Presenting Sponsor:
Supporting Sponsor:
Community Sponsors:
Sponsorship Opportunities
Gain direct access to the senior-level audience through enhanced visibility and exposure to attract new business. A wide range of opportunities are available, for more information please contact Lisa Kaisers (lkaisers@boardoftrade.com or call 604-640-5484).