INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE • OCTOBER 2–5 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Building Sustainable Communities by Strengthening International Networks

THE PREMIERE CONFERENCE FOR INDIGENOUS FINANCE, MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONALS THAT FOCUSES ON BUILDING CAPACITY AND CREATING WEALTH IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES GLOBALLY.

AFOA Canada will be hosting its InauguralInternational Conference in partnership withIndigenous Accountants Australia, Ngā KaitatauMāori o Aotearoa (National Māori AccountantsNetwork) and Deakin Business School.

LEAD SPONSOR

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 212:00 – 4:00 pm Exhibitor Set-Up3:00 – 8:00 pm Registration5:00 – 6:00 pm First Time Delegate Reception6:00 – 9:00 pm Opening Reception with Exhibitors

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 37:00 – 7:30 am Sunrise Ceremony7:30 am - 4:00 pm Registration7:30 – 8:30 am Networking Continental Breakfast / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café8:30 – 10:30 am Prayer / Ô Canada / Greetings / Welcome

Opening Plenary - Community Governance: Peeling the Governance Onion10:30 – 11:00 am Refreshment Break / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café11:00 am – 12:15 pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS and INFORMATION SESSIONS12:30 – 2:30 pm Luncheon and Presentation of the PotashCorp Aboriginal Youth Financial

Management Awards

2:45 – 4:15 pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS and INFORMATION SESSIONS5:30 - 8:30 pm OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Reception and Panel Discussion: The Next 150 –

The Mighty Flowering Tree - Charting the Future by Learning from the Past

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 47:00 – 7:30 am Sunrise Ceremony7:30 am - 4:00 pm Registration7:30 – 8:30 am Networking Continental Breakfast / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café8:30 – 10:30 am Welcome

Plenary - Economic Prosperity: Hitching the Economic Horse to the Social Wagon10:30 – 11:00 am Refreshment Break / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café11:00 am – 12:15 pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS and INFORMATION SESSIONS12:30 – 2:30 pm Luncheon and Martin Family Initiative on Aboriginal Education and Mentoring2:45 – 4:15 pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS and INFORMATION SESSIONS4:30 – 5:45 pm AFOA Canada Annual General Meeting6:00 – 8:00 pm By-Invitation Only Reception

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 57:00 am – 4:00 pm Sunrise Ceremony7:30 am – 12:00 pm Registration7:30 – 8:30 am Networking Continental Breakfast / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café8:30 – 10:00 am Welcome

Plenary - Capacity Development: Unleashing Indigenous Potential10:00 – 10:30 am Refreshment Break / Visit the Exhibitors and Xerox Technology Café10:30 am – 12:00 pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS and INFORMATION SESSIONS12:15 – 2:15 pm Luncheon and Closing Remarks2:15 – 5:30 pm Free time for participants5:30 – 6:30 pm AFOA Canada President’s Reception6:30 – 11:00 pm Banquet, CAFM/CAPA Convocation and Presentation of the MNP-AFOA Canada

Aboriginal Community Excellence Award

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

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BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BY STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL NETWORKSA sustainable community is the goal of meeting the needs of current and future generations through environmental, social, cultural and economic prosperity. There are many parts to fully achieving such a goal including strengthening local community governance, developing much needed human capital and balancing social and economic goals. Internationally we can learn from each other by strengthening our internal networks. We can share best practices and call upon each other to discuss new strategies that address similar issues. We can also find a way to open the economic door and further promote Indigenous trade.

PLENARY SESSIONS

OPENING PLENARY – COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE: PEELING THE GOVERNANCE ONIONA community’s policies, practices and decision making should be aligned with a community’s governance practices. How does community governance differ from corporate governance or other types of institutions? How does traditional governance play a part in the manner in which a community governs itself? Do the different models of decision making affect the legitimacy of a community’s governing body? How have other countries dealt with governance structures to better achieve their economic and social goals?

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY: HITCHING THE ECONOMIC HORSE TO THE SOCIAL WAGONA suggested end goal for many communities is economic prosperity. However, there may be other considerations of a community being prosperous which may include social and cultural elements. In the push towards economically sustainable communities, what have other communities around the worldlearned in terms of what went well and what were the challenges? How can an international network of Indigenous professionals work toward Indigenous trade?

Sponsored by Peace Hills Trust

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT: UNLEASHING INDIGENOUS POTENTIALTo achieve community goals, there needs to be an investment in human capital. This panel will discuss how they have pursued capacity development at an individual and institutional level. What differences exist in the approaches by different countries? What are the key elements of developing this type of plan to ensure that a community has the human capital that can achieve its strategic goals? How can a community ensure it can retain this skill level into the future?

Sponsored by First Nations Market Housing Fund

OPTIONAL EVENING PROGRAM ACTIVITYRECEPTION AND PANEL DISCUSSION | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3

THE NEXT 150 – THE MIGHTY FLOWERING TREE - CHARTING THE FUTURE BY LEARNING FROM THE PASTIt is well known that Indigenous people have been in Canada for thousands of years. In 2017, Canada celebrates its 150 years since Confederation. During this time, there has been a significant impact on Indigenous people in Canada that all Canadians can reflect upon.

As we move forward to the next 150 years and beyond, what are the opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed for Indigenous people and communities to thrive economically and socially within Canada.

As former National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the panelists will discuss the next 150 years and beyond. Specifically, the panelists will speak of key areas such as reconciliation, diversity and inclusion, decolonization, and the environment. What does reconciliation mean and how can it be achieved? How could our future actions shape a more inclusive society for Indigenous people within Canada? How can the herb of understanding allow the mighty flowering tree to blossom over an inclusive Canada for indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians?

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INDIGENOUS DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDENDS AND INTERNATIONAL TRENDSDr. Simona Bignami will present on a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth called thedemographic dividend. Although fertility rates among Indigenous Peoples in Canada are still higher thanthose of non-Indigenous Peoples, they have been steadily declining over time. This session will explorehow to take advantage of the benefits associated with declining fertility rates among First Nations peoples. They will compare the changing demographics of First Nations with those of the Maori in New Zealand, of Indigenous Australians and of Native Americans in the US. The demographic dividend consists of three mechanisms: increase labour supply, increase savings and human capital/healthier women.

Dr. Harry Patrinos will provide a cross-country assessment of poverty and socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. He will explore the evidence from across the developing world whichsupports the hypothesis that poverty and deprivation is more severe among Indigenous Peoples; but more importantly, whether poverty and other trends over time indicate a similar disconnect between Indigenous Peoples and the overall economy in the countries where they live. He will focus on one of the principal theories that try to explain why higher rates of poverty may result among Indigenous Peoples: Human Capital. The presentation covers poverty levels and trends for Indigenous Peoples’ vis-à-vis national averages and analyzes differences in human capital assets.

NEGOTIATING MULTIMILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS DEALSBased on frontline experience working for Canadian First Nations who have negotiated complex dealswith Industry. Andrew Leach will outline the key steps to negotiating successful business deals. He will cite case examples and provide insights into the opportunities and potential pitfalls in and around the negotiating table.

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNINGThe Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) was the result of four levels of governmentsigning the Bras d’Or Charter which envisions a healthy and productive Bras d’Or Lakes watershed ecosystem. Learn how CEPI has led a very unique collaboration of government officials, community leaders, researchers and volunteers in fostering the health of the Lakes. Six economic sectors are part of the plan which included agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy and tourism. A key question is “how can sustainable development within the Bras d’Or Lakes encourage people to stay or return?” Other areas to be discussed include sustainable development, practices and economy. The initiative examines the potential of the Bras d’Or Lakes watershed to contribute to sustainable economies through the remainder of the 21st century.

INDIGENOUS WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PER CAPITA DISTRIBUTIONChanges of historic proportions are resulting in Aboriginal communities to create Trusts. Theopportunities are resulting from Specific Claims Settlements, Economic Development, Impact BenefitAgreements and other resource sharing. These Trusts have the potential to transform a community intoan economically self-sustaining and self-governing entity. This session will provide real life situationswhen wealth management was placed in the wrong hands and the benefits of good governance practicewhen it applies to wealth creation.

Per Capita Distributions (PCDs) have become common on both sides of the border, whether funded as aone-time payment from a significant settlement or as annual distributions from ongoing Own Source Revenue. This panel will look at some of the research conducted in the U.S. and suggest ways to approach the decision from a strategic perspective. Many innovative practices being developed regarding the structuring of PCDs will be reviewed in this session.

WORKSHOPS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

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MĀORI SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTNgā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa (NKMoA) members are made up of participants from the executive committee and representation from our Accounting Collaboration Partnership (ACP) with PWC, EY Tahi, KPMG, BDO, and Deloitte.

The NKMoA delegation will talk to post-treaty settlement work undertaken with various tribalorganisations, Māori owned business and the community at large to realise their moemoea (dreams), whakakitenga (vision), rautaki (strategies) that not only provide for a sustainable economic base but provide the means to achieving tino rangatiratanga/self-determination.

These presentations will focus on primary sectors of mana-moana (sea), mana whenua (land), and mana tangata (people) where we will highlight some of our challenges and solutions that we have encountered on our journey toward sustainable economic development. We will also focus on how theimpact technology is having on how we do our economic development as a people.

UNDRIP: IMPLEMENTING POLITICAL PRINCIPLES INTO A RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANCanadian Governments accept the Declaration as a principled common ground, but are committing an “Implementation Fail”. Indigenous Peoples will not accept this failure after decades of advocacy. This interactive presentation will discuss five immediate action points that will reinvigorate the Declaration. The Five Reconcili-Action points will discuss 1) Free Prior Informed Consent; 2) Indigenous Peoples Role in Legal Reform; 3) Indigenous Peoples Rights to their Culture; 4) Requirements for Natural Resource Development; and 5) Economic Treaty and Indigenous Peoples Rights.

NEW THINKING ON ACCOUNTING AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYIn a rapidly shifting technological landscape, alternative models are being proposed and implemented in the world of accounting and financial management across all industries.Leveraging advances in the technological sector, the future of accounting will be less transactional andmore knowledge based. At the end of the day, people skills and an in-depth understanding of industrysectors are just as crucial as keeping the numbers in check. Tax professionals are expected to recommend best-practices to management and suggest strategic ways to reduce costs and mitigate risk while improving profit. To keep up with this shift, accounting practices and financial opportunities are evolving every day, allowing us to improve the way we manage projects and approach our service delivery from a full, 360 degree, top-down perspective.

The second part of this presentation aims to encourage new thinking at the systemic level about the contribution of First Nation organisations to productivity by questioning standard Westernisedperformance measures from the perspective of Indigenous stakeholder values. An argument isforwarded that theories of sustainability and social responsibility from other fields of research haveutility in the fields of accounting, financial management and auditing policy and practices.

Recommendations include developing a customised accounting model incorporating cultural, social, andenvironmental measures that would fully identify what is impacting the successful management of First Peoples organisations; value ICIP and cultural heritage assets using the Balanced Scorecard, Life Cycle Analysis, Eco-systems service and Contingency Valuation Method. Together these approaches willpromote informed participation and decision-making, promulgate more sustainable outcome to maximise social and economic participation in society, and improve the health and wellbeing of First Nation Peoples globally.

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AUSTRALIAN RECONCILIATION: FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATION AND ACTION PLANThe Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the Australian corporate, markets andfinancial services regulator. Hear how ASIC’s Indigenous Outreach Program (IOP) was created in acknowledgement of the unique issues faced by Indigenous consumers within the financial servicesector, and as a result of unscrupulous businesses practices. ASIC’s IOP works to build relationships,understanding and trust between the financial services sector and Indigenous consumers, the knowledge of our workforce and financial capability towards sustainability in community; the very essence of reconciliation.

The panel will discuss how compliance, enforcement, policy development, industry liaison and buildingof financial capability are all foundational to a fair market with confident and informed consumers. They will use case studies to show how ASIC has taken court action to ensure those businesses taking advantage of Indigenous community are being held to account, walk through the community focussed liaison with industry and government to show the reality for the community. They will discuss the importance of financial capability and how they have developed resources utilising Indigenous community centred design to ensure community understand and stand up for their rights. Lastly bringing these threads together we will show how we have begun to deliver cultural information sessions to our staff; to show the historic and contemporary links with Indigenous shared history and the regulatory work that we undertake as our business as usual.

Hear how in 2016 Australian Unity launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan to build stronger relationships with Indigenous customers, communities and business. The presentation will explore the elements of building trust as the underlining principle of respectful relationships, and the importance of enabling voices of experience within the organisation to influence positive outcomes. They joined a well established network of organisation that have developed and implemented a Reconciliation Action Plan to build stronger relationships with Australia’s first people. They will discuss the importance of working within a system to change the system, building allies and ensuring community is at the heart decision making.

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT – SUCCESS STORIESWestbank First Nation is located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, traditional territory of Syilx people.Recognized for its visionary, progressive leadership, self-government and economic success, WFN explains its land, leasing system, and Economic Development Commission (the first aboriginal EDC in Canada).

Half a billion development permits have been issued by WFN over the past ten years, and its total assessed property values are now in excess of $1.6 billion, including the largest square footage of onreserve retail and commercial development in Canada. 42% tax revenue comes from commercial enterprises and land developments which WFN sets to highest and best use. It currently has partnerships in two shopping centres, and off-reserve developments and ownerships.

Revenue has allowed WFN to open new beach parks and a $5.5 million youth centre, and is exploring anexpansion of its Sensisyusten House of Learning elementary school.

Reflecting its determination to open up more land for development, future possibilities will be explored.

The Doig River First Nation has undertaken an aggressive course of initiatives to dramatically improve its current operations and set a solid foundation for future prosperity. The presentation provides anoverview of the achievements that the Nation has realized, with attention focused on lessons learned.

0 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT – The Nation has developed its own Financial Administration Law, implemented a more advanced accounting system and supported professional development (CAFM) to increase the financial management capacity of its management team.

0 BUSINESS TRADE & DEVELOPMENT – the Nation has built upon a strong economic base of revenue sharing agreements with local industry, to expand into equity positions in strategic businesses, which separates business from politics.

0 LEADERSHIP – Chief and Council have adopted a strong transparency and accountability practice of bringing all major financial decisions to community meetings.

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0 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – A strong foundation for sustainable economic development has been the documentation and promotion of the Nation’s history and traditions. A healthy respect and promotion of traditional knowledge and practices, as well as cultural values, has created significant harmony in the community and established a community with healthy individuals who are entrepreneurs or engaged in meaningful work.

NATION BUILDING THROUGH HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENTWith the potential for great prosperity on the horizon, it is more critical than ever to accelerate leadership and management capacity in Indigenous communities and organizations. But who are the ‘leaders’ to be developed and what skills are needed to help communities and organizations thrive? How is meaningful human capacity building being funded and where are the gaps? These are some of the questions that will be explored.

There remains much work to overcome the socio-economic challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples inCanada and internationally. For this reason, Urban Matters CCC is committed to facilitating a nationalconversation in 2017 designed to better understanding human capacity development needs in Indigenous communities and organizations. The findings from this discovery process will be summarized and provided to public and private funding agencies as well as private corporations with the goal of increasing the availability and efficacy of human capacity development programs and funding.

Also learn about how Australia’s Indigenous business sector has been compared to a ‘sleeping giant’ because of the potential lying beneath the surface. The panel will discuss that to fully awaken the giant necessitates the creation of more Indigenous accountants. Indigenous business is doing well, with growth outstripping the rest of the Australian economy. Indigenous Australians have rights to a massive 40% of Australia with claims over another 20%. The panel will make the case for why we need more Indigenous Accountants in order to unlock this potential.

Studies found the biggest reason for failure amongst Indigenous corporations is inadequate or nonexistentprocesses or records for financial accounts. Failing corporations suffer from poor management, poor corporate governance and even, in some cases, financial misappropriation. In order for Indigenousbusinesses to build prosperity from the assets and wealth they have fought hard for, they need to buildfinancial and governance expertise from within.

LEAD SPONSOR

Affaires autochtones etDéveloppement du Nord Canada

Aboriginal Affairs andNorthern Development Canada

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

0 Human Resources Management Essentials: Module 4 – Employee Compensation and Benefits

0 Developing Business Plans and Funding Proposals 0 NEW First Nations Governance III: Nation Building 0 NEW Banking 401 - Wealth Management 0 NEW Understanding the Fundamentals of

Procurement and Contracting

0 Integrated Planning for Future Investments Sponsored by First Nations Financial Management Board

Please refer to enclosed flyer for additional information and registration form.

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REGISTRATIONRegister soon! Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis! Please read carefully and complete in full the enclosed Registration Form (one per person). Full registration fee includes all sessions, receptions AND the Dinner/CAFM and CAPA Convocation.

Regular Rate(as of August 26, 2017)

Optional Evening Reception and Panel Discussion on Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Registering at the Door

AFOA Canada Member $1000 plus GST

AFOA Canada Member $60 plus GST

We will accept on-site registrations providing space is available. On-site registration fee is $1255 and is payable at the door.

Non-Member $1150 plus GST

Non-Member $80 plus GST

EXHIBITSNational and regional corporate and public sector organizations will be displaying a wide range of products and services designed to meet Indigenous executive and professional needs. Exhibit fees are $2,150 plus GST. Space is also available for arts and crafts at the special rate of $800 plus GST.

TRAVELAir Canada has been appointed the official airline of the conference. To book your flights and take advantage of special discounted fares, you must book your travel online at www.aircanada.com and enter our convention code T32TVAD1 in the box asking for the Promotion Code.

CONTACT USIf you have any questions about the conference, please do not hesitate to contact the Conference Secretariat or AFOA Canada.

ACCOMMODATIONWe have negotiated group rates at a few hotels which are located in close walking proximity to the Vancouver Convention Centre. The negotiated group rates are for single or double occupancy. Please contact the hotel of your choice directly to make your reservation.

Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel (host hotel attached directly to the Vancouver Convention Centre) The hotel is offering deluxe rooms at the rate of $209/night and deluxe harbour rooms at the rate of $239/night. The room rates are available until Friday, September 1, 2017 or until our block is sold out.

Reserve now and refer to our group code AFOA 2017 to obtain a discounted rate.By phone: 604-662-3223 Email: reservations@panpacificvancouver.com

Fairmont Waterfront HotelThe hotel is offering Fairmont rooms at the rate of $229/night plus applicable taxes. The room rates are available until Friday, September 1, 2017 or until our block is sold out.

Note: A non-refundable deposit for one nights’ room and tax will be processed at time of booking. Reserve now and refer to our group code AFOA 2017 to obtain a discounted rate.By phone: 604-691-1820 Email: waterfrontgroups@fairmont.com

Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown HotelThe hotel is offering city view rooms at the rate of $249/night plus applicable taxes. The room rates are available until Friday, September 1, 2017 or until our block is sold out.

Reserve now and refer to our group code AFOA 2017 to obtain a discounted rate.By phone: 1-800-207-4150

Coast Coal Harbour HotelThe hotel is offering comfort rooms at the rate of $195/night plus applicable taxes. The room rates are available until Wednesday, August 30, 2017 or until our block is sold out.

Reserve now and refer to our group code AFOA 2017 to obtain a discounted rate.By phone: 1-800-663-1144

Sponsorship and Exhibit InformationGeorge RogersonTelephone: 819-827-5168Toll-Free: 1-866-775-1816Email: george@chelsea-group.net

AFOA Canada1066 Somerset Street West, Suite 301Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4T3Tel: 613-722-5543Toll-Free: 1-866-722-2362Email: conference@afoa.ca

Registration and Program InformationMicheline BélangerTelephone: 819-827-5931Toll-Free: 1-866-775-1817Email: micheline@chelsea-group.net

Please visit our website at www.afoa.ca as we continue to provide updates.

#AFOAINTL2017