Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase

June 1 & 2, 2023.

Purpose. Relationships. Vision.

Traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations
Vancouver, Canada

IPSS 2023 took place in Vancouver and virtually.

The Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase returned for its fourth annual event on June 1 and 2, 2023, live at the Vancouver Convention Centre and to a global audience on our virtual platform, Vidflex.

The two-day live and virtual event:

Spread the word to Canadians about how Indigenous communities and corporate Canada are embracing the spirit of reconciliation.
Enabled Indigenous and corporate partners to share their pathway to shared success.
Featured the stories and insights of leading voices on Indigenous economic development.

IPSS 2023 was hosted on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. It was made possible through the support of event patron GCT Global Container Terminals.

Event themes.

Purpose.

Addressing the historical exclusion of Indigenous communities from Canada's economy is perhaps the most important step we can take toward economic reconciliation. We can start by highlighting the value of Indigenous world views in balancing social, environmental and economic priorities and the crucial role of land.
Relationships.

Relationships based on understanding are the practical foundations of reconciliation action. An inclusive economy will highlight the importance of corporate leaders who develop land and infrastructure by first building positive relationships. Relationships help us bridge theory and concrete reconciliation action.
Vision.

What is the ideal to which reconciliation strives? What does a reconciled business environment, economy and shared political vision look like? One free of structural barriers, oriented toward full Indigenous inclusion. A reconciled vision of Canada's path forward requires deep Indigenization.

Historic dialogues.

Watch recorded sessions.
Indigenous thought leaders for a new era.

View speakers.
Paths to reconciliation.

View agenda.
Making a difference.

View sponsors and partners.

IPSS 2023 featured 25 sessions celebrating successful partnerships between Indigenous communities and their industry partners, providing insights and inspiring delegates to rethink how they can renew their commitment to economic reconciliation.

Our first panel, Young Indigenous Leaders in Conversation, launched the event with a discussion on how corporate Canada can help empower Indigenous youth leaders, while addressing challenges and opportunities in their careers. Attendees learned more about how industry can best support a new generation of Indigenous leaders in business, education, and entrepreneurship.

In one of the event’s major highlights, Chief Ian Campbell and Tsitsáyxemaat (Rebecca Duncan) made history with the first-ever panel conversation at a Canadian business conference entirely in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish language). Attendees tuned into real-time English interpretation provided by Vanessa Campbell, who has worked to revitalize the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language for decades. The panelists spoke about the impact of colonization and residential schools on the Squamish Nation’s culture and language, in addition to the revitalization efforts underway and how they will impact the next generation. Topics also included a discussion of the importance of the Nation’s community and history, their relationship with the land and each other and how economic reconciliation goes hand-in-hand with language and cultural revitalization.

Our panel, Charting a Path to Sustainable Indigenous-led Seafood Partnerships made headlines as panelists dove into the stormy waters surrounding the ongoing debate on salmon farming and the conflict between some First Nations and Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

From Adversity to Intergenerational Prosperity.

Stark Stark offers a perspective on culture, commerce and life that few could imagine. His full-circle journey from addiction and abuse to personal and business success was part of this discussion with Squamish Nation hereditary chief Ian Campbell. Stark firmly believes that his cultural confidence helped him overcome the challenges he faced in life – and it’s precisely that resilience that drives today’s Indigenous businesses towards success.

Land and Economic Reconciliation: Leading Indigenous Perspectives on Development.

The 2023 keynote session with Kimberly Murray, Chief Willie Sellers and Karen Restoule dove deep into the significance of land and how Indigenous communities have set the foundation for the economic transformation taking place across Canada today. It will leave attendees from all industries equipped to navigate shifting policy and business practices.

Banquet.

The IPSS 2023 banquet dinner was hosted by Geena Jackson, the creator and Executive Producer of reality television show The Bears' Lair. After a traditional welcome from Carla George (Squamish Nation), Regional Chief Terry Teegee (BC Assembly of First Nations) delivered opening remarks.

During the plated three-course dinner, attendees enjoyed a fireside chat on the HaiSea initiative. The HaiSea Marine partnership between the Haisla Nation and Seaspan will provide marine services for LNG Canada, the country’s first large-scale export facility located in Kitimat, BC, on the ancestral territory of the Haisla First Nation. Panellests included Chief Councillor Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation; Jordan Pechie, Senior Vice President, Seaspan Marine Transportation; Ed Ross, Cook/Deckhand, Seaspan Marine Transportation, and Luke Schauerte, Vice President (Asset), LNG Canada.

A collection of pieces by Haida fashion designer Dorothy Grant was showcased by models from Indigenous-owned Supernaturals Modelling, while DJ Kookum played.

Finally, the banquet featured the musical artistry of returning IPSS performer Joey Stylez. An award-winning Indigenous hip hop artist, Stylez has been selected by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as one of the top 25 Canadian rappers of all time. Following Joey Stylez will be none other than Haida Gwaii’s Shawn Gairdner on the drums and Saskatoon’s Lancelot Knight playing guitar.

Sponsored by LNG Canada, Woodfibre LNG, and TC Energy.

2023 Partners.

Canada's Digital Technology Superclusture.png

Indigenous success stories.

The story of Canada’s Indigenous people is one of triumph through incredible obstacles.

At IPSS, we tell these stories of achievement at our annual event. We also tell them throughout the year. The Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase shares how growing partnerships between Indigenous and corporate Canada can help unlock not just a new way of doing business, but a renewed Canada. Find our stories using the button below.

Explore our stories.

Drawing Change.

A picture paints a thousand words. A Drawing Change artist drew the following images live during 2023 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase sessions. Explore these drawings depicting the meaning and progress behind the sessions showcased at IPSS 2023.

Use the arrows below to scroll through the images. Please feel free to save and share these images, tagging IPSS on social media.