Capacity Building Strategies and Opportunities for BC First Nations Development Corporations
Presenting Organization
First Nations Business Development Association (FNBDA)
Description
The FNBDA is comprised of 40 BC First Nation owned Development Corporations from across BC. We will share information on our new and upcoming initiatives that support First Nations building or building on their Development Corporation. Discussion will include a presentation on our Pathway Initiative, which can guide First Nations through the Business Governance assessment and implementation process. We’ll also share information on our partnership with SFU to build a Dev Corp micro-credit course programs as well as our partnerships with BC on innovation and technology as well as the manufacturing sector. We will also share an update on our partnership with the federal government that is working to better enable Indigenous Procurement opportunities.
Participants will be provided an opportunity to learn about the new and innovative solutions and approaches that the FNBDA is putting in place to support BC First Nations and their Development Corporations; whether they are just starting out or looking for economic and investment opportunities to diversify and build their economic base. We’ll share how our micro-credit course program will aim to build capacity in the First Nation business community; as well as how our partnership with Innovate BC and InvestBC will work to create investment opportunities in this key BC business sector. We’ll also provide an update on Indigenous Procurement and share how our project is working with the Canadian Government to enable federal procurement opportunities for BC First Nations.
Speaker
Michael Bonshor (Gixkandzi), CPA
Speaker Biography
Michael Bonshor, CPA is a member of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet and has worked with First Nations and Indigenous organizations for the past 20 years. He is President and CEO of Visions First Nations Financial Services and Managing Director of First Nations Business Development Association. In 2020 Michael was appointed to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. He is also Secretary Treasurer/Board member of the First Nations Health Authority as well as Vice Chair/Governor of BCIT.