First Nations Role in Cannabis Will Be Highlighted at First Nation Economic Advancement Conference (FNEAC) in Toronto September 18-20

First Nations Role in Cannabis Will Be Highlighted at First Nation Economic Advancement Conference (FNEAC) in Toronto September 18-20

(Toronto, August 23, 2018)The 2018 First Nation Economic Advancement Conference (FNEAC) is less than a month away. Pre-registration and the Chelsea Hotel room block is filling up quickly. With the legalization of cannabis sales less than a month from the conference, on October 17th, a room has been set aside at FNEAC to deal with cannabis specific topics that will include production, sales, investment, and health and safety.Wiisag, A First Nation company, will host the cannabis sessions.

Speakers include Ontario Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rocco Rossi; TV host and Earth Sciences Professor David Pearson; Niilo Edwards, Executive Director of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition; Walid Hejazi, TV personality and International Business Professor; and Eric Costen, Director General of Cannabis Legalization and Regulation at Health Canada.

The three-day event will feature panels, workshops, keynote speakers, and a trade show. The goal of FNEAC is to share success stories and build relationships that will lead to improved infrastructure, wealth creation, and better overall socio-economic conditions for the 133 First Nation communities in Ontario. First Nation leaders, economic development officers, government, business, and industry officials will be in attendance.

FNEAC is organized by OFNEDA – the Ontario First Nation Economic Developers Association, in partnership with CANDO, the national economic development officers’ organization, along with support from the CCAB – Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business – and CESO – Canadian Executive Service Organization. Indigenous Services Canada is the major sponsor. Other sponsors include CN, TD, BDC, OFNTSC, LIUNA, and Gowlings.

CANDO will host several all-day professional development workshops on Tuesday, September 18th. The CANDO First Nations Law and Mining and the NRCAN Mining and Economic Development Workshops are limited to 30 participants each. There are separate registrations at www.ofneda.ca

Urban Systems, a BC-based community planning organization, will hold a two-hour “Economic Land Use Planning” workshop on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 18th. Earlier this year, Rainy River First Nation, located in northwestern Ontario, received a Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence for its community plan that was developed in partnership with Urban Systems.

Beginning on the morning of Wednesday, September 19th, there will be keynote speakers, panels, and workshops on topics that include cannabis, major infrastructure, capacity building, agriculture and
aquaculture, forestry, and the environment. A draft agenda is available at www.ofneda.com.

FNEAC 2018 will be held at the Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street West, in downtown Toronto. To book a room, visit:
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=59052&Chain=10316&start=availresults&arrive=9%2f18%2f2018&depa+rt=9%2f20%2f2018&adult=1&child=0&group=ONT091818++
Or call toll free 1-800-CHELSEA (243-5732) or 416595-1975 and use the room block code “First Nations Economic Advancement Conference 2018”.

For more information, contact Bryan Hendry at 613-863-1764 or bhendry@bimaadzwin.ca,
To register for the conference, visit www.ofneda.com or contact: Patty Ann Owl, Executive Director Ontario First Nations Economic Development Association Blue Heron Industrial Park , 485B Gran Street, Rankin Reserve 15D, ON, P6A 5K9

Ph: (705) 946-0746 Fax: (705) 946-0416 patriciaowl@ofneda.com