About First Nations Bank of Canada

At First Nations Bank of Canada plays a vital role in the financial aspect of Nation Building. Since 1996, the business has helped Indigenous peoples, governments, and enterprises across the country overcome financial barriers to build brighter futures and improve quality of life on their lands.

Founded with a vision to establish a federally chartered bank serving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout Canada, FNBC was conceived and developed by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people. Today, the Bank is over 87% owned and controlled by Indigenous shareholders. Its services are available through a network of full-service branches—five of which are on reserve—as well as Community Banking Centres and electronic banking channels.‍

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About the Speakers

Brian MacKenzie
‍Senior Manager & Team Lead
First Nations Bank of Canada

Brian is a Senior Manager & Team Lead, Commercial Banking, with First Nations Bank of Canada. Brian oversees FNBC’s commercial sales teams covering the Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut markets.

Johnathan Beardy
Senior Commercial Account Manager
First Nations Bank of Canada

Johnathan is a Senior Commercial Account Manager with First Nations Bank of Canada. He is an Anishnawbe from Bearskin Lake First Nation and is responsible for overseeing FNBC’s commercial accounts in Ontario and Quebec.

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Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, result in over $27 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 90,000 jobs in the province.

Each summer, Grain Farmers of Ontario offers up to $50,000 in competitive funding for projects that expand the use of Ontario barley, corn, oats, wheat, or soybeans.

Presenter:

Dana Dickerson | Director, Market Development and Sustainability

Dana Dickerson serves as Grain Farmers of Ontario's Director of Market Development and Sustainability, leading initiatives to expand and safeguard domestic and global markets for Ontario’s grains. Representing Ontario farmers growing barley, corn, oats, wheat, and

soybeans, her market development work

spans diverse sectors such as food, beverage, feed, fuel, and bioproducts.

In collaboration with the value chain and government partners, Dana spearheads strategies to enhance value-added processing opportunities, support farmer sustainability, grow exports worldwide and reduce trade barriers for Ontario grains.

Dana holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce with a major in International Business and minor in French language from Lakehead University.

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Ready, Set, GROW: Seizing Economic Opportunities

OFNEDA’s 2025 Annual Conference will be at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.

CLICK HERE to register for the conference!