January 22, 2020
Working in partnership with Indigenous governments and development corporations is a central theme for NWT events at AME Roundup – and Tuesday was no exception. Just hours after the launch of regional mineral development strategies by the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, an Indigenous Business Panel discussion took place on exactly that subject.
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The panel, organized by Paul Gruner, President and CEO of the Det’on Cho Corporation, was designed for NWT and Yukon leaders to discuss opportunities for Indigenous participation in sustainable development.
A number of NWT Indigenous leaders were in attendance at this year’s event to build capacity in their own governments and organizations – and to visibly signal their support for responsible resource development in the NWT.
Traditional drummers opened the panel before the discussions got underway.
Dialogue centered on the government’s role in assisting Indigenous groups and businesses in building capacity and overcoming barriers to participation.
“In collaboration with the various levels of government represented on the panel we have the ability to identify and eliminate barriers for Indigenous business in the North. Everyone benefits when we have successful and robust Indigenous businesses operating in our communities,” Gruner says.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Katrina Nokleby represented the GNWT on the panel discussion. Other panelists included Gruner, MP Larry Bagnell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency), Yukon; Her Worship Rebecca Alty, Mayor of Yellowknife; Mark Brajer, President & CEO, Tlicho Investment Corporation; Darrell Beaulieu, President and CEO, Denedeh Investment Corporation.