A premiere West Coast conference seeks to establish a foundation for impactful partnerships between Indigenous communities, business leaders, and Canadians as a whole.
The Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) will take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from June 5-6, 2024, emphasizing Indigenous arts and perspectives, and fostering a positive atmosphere of hope and collaboration.
Forging new paths in reconciliation
Since its inception in 2019, IPSS has distinguished itself as a "business to Canadians" conference rather than a traditional B2B event. This approach allows the conference to address larger cultural and economic issues under the theme of partnerships between peoples.
“We realized there was a huge amount of potential to dive into partnership experiences,” says Margareta Dovgal, event lead
The IPSS agenda is designed to inspire progress toward economic reconciliation while providing practical guidance for collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
“We want to provide clarity on the status of reconciliation in the business context and what leaders in both business and Indigenous communities are thinking," says Dovgal.
"Our goal is to offer practical guidance and foster understanding across different sectors."
Marking five years of UNDRIP
One of the key themes for this year's IPSS is "Reconciliation in Action," responding to the growing demand for practical guidance on how First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and their enterprise partners can work together for shared success.
The conference will feature over 20 sessions, including a panel titled “Learnings from North America's First UNDRIP Jurisdiction: Celebrating Five Years.”
This panel will feature notable speakers such as Melanie Mark, Sharon G.K. Singh, and Doug Caul. Mark has over 25 years of experience navigating public service and political systems, advancing social, environmental, and economic justice through reconciliation. Singh, a partner at Bennett Jones LLP, advises on regulatory, governance, and environmental law, guiding organizations through partnerships with Indigenous communities. Caul, Deputy Minister, Policy and Coordination at the Office of the Premier, brings valuable insights from the government perspective.
Embracing diverse perspectives
IPSS places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, aiming to make the conversation about reconciliation representative of many views.
"There is a profound respect and reverence for Indigenous culture. We’re not just talking about business processes; we’re talking about culture,” Dovgal says.
The event showcases how Indigenous values can be respected and incorporated into business processes, providing a glimpse into what Canada’s business culture could look like in a reconciliation environment.
Moving beyond policy
The conference is designed to provide both short-term inspiration and long-term practical information.
"What does success for reconciliation look like in business and social senses? We aim to show that a path forward is possible and that fears about reconciliation are unwarranted," Dovgal says.
The implementation of UNDRIP in Canada has catalyzed enhanced partnerships between governmental bodies and Indigenous communities, leading to more inclusive decision-making processes and increased recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.
"Economic reconciliation is the key to securing bright futures for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, and it opens the door to continued prosperity for all Canadians in this era of transformative change," Dovgal says.
As Canada's Indigenous economy is projected to grow from $30 billion to $100 billion by 2025, the partnerships fostered through IPSS are crucial for achieving shared success.
To learn more about the 2024 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase and secure your spot, visit www.indigenoussuccess.ca/2024-tickets
