The meeting link has been sent through a private invitation.

This bi-weekly space offers an opportunity to have informal conversations, share ideas, discuss challenges and wins, and highlight what is happening in your communities. It is a chance to build relationships, exchange practical insights, and strengthen the network that supports economic development across First Nations in Ontario. We look forward to connecting with you and creating a supportive space for collaboration and learning.

Note: If you are a First Nations Economic Development Officer or entrepreneur and have not received an invitation link, please contact Debbie Donivan, Training Coordinator, at trainingcoordinator@ofneda.ca or 519-200-1033 for assistance.

‍

Motivated by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Call to Action 92 (ii) “to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities”, I hear how an IT company in south-west Ontario is exploring ways to engage Indigenous Youth in careers in Information Technology, and how the company itself has changed as a result.

Presented by: PETE NEEDHAM

Pete lives and works in south-western Ontario for Next Dimension, an Information Technology Managed Services Partner. Pete is English and came to Canada in 2000. His work experience includes big enterprise (Unilever, Unilever Canada) and more recently IT (End to End Networks, Next Dimension), specializing in Human Resources, Employee and Customer Experience, and Strategy. In the last 3 years, Pete has headed up an initiative known as Project Cedar, aimed at securing equal opportunities for Indigenous youth in education and employment.

This session is exclusively for First Nations Economic Development Officers and Entrepreneurs. Please note that the registration link has been shared through a private invitation. If you haven't received one, contact Debbie Donivan for assistance at trainingcoordinator@ofneda.ca.

OFNEDA invites you to join us at our upcoming Regional Meetings, small and focused gatherings that bring together First Nations from chapters in and around the host region. If you have already registered or attended, please disregard this message and kindly ensure you do not register or attend more than once.

These sessions provide an opportunity to share your community’s priorities, discuss existing gaps, and explore how OFNEDA can support your goals. They also offer a chance to learn more about OFNEDA’s programs, services, and resources, ensuring each community is informed, engaged, and supported.

Breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you.

IMPORTANT

Please carefully select the Regional Engagement Forum location closest to your First Nation. Travel reimbursement is only available for First Nations Economic Development Officers who are employed by and working on behalf of their First Nation community. Travel costs will only be covered for attendance at the Regional Engagement Forum location nearest to your First Nation.

Engage with our leadership and support team:

- Ryan Moore, Director of Indigenous Procurement & Entrepreneurship Development

- Reema Chopra, Director of Marketing & Training

- Additional Participants

‍

What you can expect:

- Share Your Voice, Have Your Say:

- Our research team will be on-site to listen to your priorities, needs, challenges, and ideas.

- Your feedback will directly shape the content and design of these toolkits.

- Hands on AI , Marketing and advance excel training and support.

‍

Location:

Four Points by Sheraton London

1150 Wellington Rd,

London, ON N6E 1M3 | (519) 681-0600

EPID@Work (Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability at Work) is a research institute at Lakehead University who is currently conducting the Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study. This confidential online survey looks at physical and mental health in the workplace as we hope to highlight the voices of individuals in Northwestern Ontario. Ultimately, we are looking to improve the health of workers across NWO, help workplaces identify areas of concern, and suggest pre-existing interventions for workplaces.

‍

Presented by:

Adam Banner

PhD Candidate '28

Research Assistant

EPID@Work Research Institute

Lakehead University

‍

‍The meeting link has been sent through a private invitation.

This monthly space offers an opportunity to have informal conversations, share ideas, discuss challenges and wins, and highlight what is happening in your communities. It is a chance to build relationships, exchange practical insights, and strengthen the network that supports economic development across First Nations in Ontario. We look forward to connecting with you and creating a supportive space for collaboration and learning.

Note: If you are a First Nations Economic Development Officer or entrepreneur and have not received an invitation link, please contact Debbie Donivan, Training Coordinator, at trainingcoordinator@ofneda.ca or 519-200-1033 for assistance.

‍

Entrepreneurship Unlocked: A 10-Part Journey to Business Success

FOR OFNEDA MEMBERS ONLY

Sarah Hopkins | Facilitator

About the Presenter

Sarah Hopkins is Turtle Clan of the Lenni Lenape, whose people were displaced from Lenapehoking (modern-day New York City) to Delaware Nation in southwestern Ontario. A Day School survivor, she was raised by strong matriarchs whose resilience shaped her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices.

In 2018, Sarah founded Three Sisters Consulting, dedicated to supporting Indigenous success across business, professional, and community spaces, where she serves as Matriarch. She is an active community leader, having served in elected and board roles, and works across sectors including government, non-profits, and industry on Indigenous engagement, economic development, and policy.

Grounded by her family and community, Sarah continues to advocate for and connect Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

Session Overview

Government and corporate procurement is one of the biggest opportunities for First Nation entrepreneurs (and one of the most confusing). This session breaks it all down. We'll look at how procurement works, what buyers are looking for, and how to position your business to compete. We'll walk through how to read an RFP (Request for Proposal), what to include in your response, and common mistakes that get bids rejected. We'll also cover Indigenous procurement policies and supplier diversity programs that create real opportunities for your business.

Topics Covered

• How procurement works: the basics of government and corporate purchasing

• Where to find bids i.e. MERX, Nation Talk and other search platforms.

• Indigenous procurement policies: federal, provincial, and corporate programs

• Supplier diversity and certification: CCIB, CAMSC, and what they mean for you

• How to read an RFP step by step

• What buyers are looking for: evaluation criteria explained

• Writing a competitive bid: structure, language, and common mistakes

• Preparing your business: capabilities statements and vendor registration

• Building relationships before the RFP comes out

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least 2 procurement programs or opportunities relevant to your business

• Read a sample RFP and identify the key evaluation criteria

• Start or update your capabilities statement

• Register with at least one vendor database or certification program

This session is exclusively for First Nations Economic Development Officers and Entrepreneurs. Please note that the registration link has been shared through a private invitation. If you haven't received one, contact Debbie Donivan for assistance at trainingcoordinator@ofneda.ca.

OFNEDA invites you to join us at our upcoming Regional Meetings, small and focused gatherings that bring together First Nations from chapters in and around the host region. If you have already registered or attended, please disregard this message and kindly ensure you do not register or attend more than once.

These sessions provide an opportunity to share your community’s priorities, discuss existing gaps, and explore how OFNEDA can support your goals. They also offer a chance to learn more about OFNEDA’s programs, services, and resources, ensuring each community is informed, engaged, and supported.

Breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you.

IMPORTANT

Please carefully select the Regional Engagement Forum location closest to your First Nation. Travel reimbursement is only available for First Nations Economic Development Officers who are employed by and working on behalf of their First Nation community. Travel costs will only be covered for attendance at the Regional Engagement Forum location nearest to your First Nation.

Engage with our leadership and support team:

- Ryan Moore, Director of Indigenous Procurement & Entrepreneurship Development

- Monica Lister, Research/Member Support Specialist

• Information about Community Capacity Funding Agreement (CCFA) Funding
• Benefits of OFNEDA Membership

- Presentation by Chiefs of Ontario

- Presentation by ITO

‍

What you can expect:

- Share Your Voice, Have Your Say:

- Our research team will be on-site to listen to your priorities, needs, challenges, and ideas.

- Your feedback will directly shape the content and design of these toolkits.

- Advance excel training and support.

Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre

66 Meredith St E, Little Current, ON Canada |  (705) 368-9966

Click here to view the hotel- Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre - Little Current Ontario

‍

A strong strategic plan provides a roadmap for achieving community goals, guiding decision-making, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth. Join us for an engaging discussion on how strategic planning can help communities identify priorities, align resources, strengthen partnerships, and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges. This session will explore the key elements of effective community and economic development planning, the benefits of a community-driven approach, and how a well-crafted strategic plan can support long-term success.

Participants will also learn about the Ministry of Rural Affairs' upcoming free Strategic Planning Virtual Webinar Series, designed to help communities build the knowledge and tools needed to develop and implement meaningful strategic plans. Whether your community is beginning a new planning process or looking to refresh an existing plan, this session will provide valuable insights to help turn vision into action.

‍

Presented by:

Chloe Langlois,

Rural Economic Development Advisor Rural Policy and Economic Development Branch

Ministry of Rural Affairs.

The meeting link has been sent through a private invitation.

This bi-weekly space offers an opportunity to have informal conversations, share ideas, discuss challenges and wins, and highlight what is happening in your communities. It is a chance to build relationships, exchange practical insights, and strengthen the network that supports economic development across First Nations in Ontario. We look forward to connecting with you and creating a supportive space for collaboration and learning.

Note: If you are a First Nations Economic Development Officer or entrepreneur and have not received an invitation link, please contact Debbie Donivan, Training Coordinator, at trainingcoordinator@ofneda.ca or 519-200-1033 for assistance.

‍

Entrepreneurship Unlocked: A 10-Part Journey to Business Success

FOR OFNEDA MEMBERS ONLY

Sarah Hopkins | Facilitator

About the Presenter

Sarah Hopkins is Turtle Clan of the Lenni Lenape, whose people were displaced from Lenapehoking (modern-day New York City) to Delaware Nation in southwestern Ontario. A Day School survivor, she was raised by strong matriarchs whose resilience shaped her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices.

In 2018, Sarah founded Three Sisters Consulting, dedicated to supporting Indigenous success across business, professional, and community spaces, where she serves as Matriarch. She is an active community leader, having served in elected and board roles, and works across sectors including government, non-profits, and industry on Indigenous engagement, economic development, and policy.

Grounded by her family and community, Sarah continues to advocate for and connect Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

Session Overview

A business plan is more than a document for the bank. It's a roadmap for where you're going and how you'll get there. In this session, we'll walk through the key components of a strong business plan in plain language, with real examples. Whether you're writing your first plan or updating an existing one, you'll leave with a clear structure and the content to fill it in. We'll also to use your business plan to apply for financing or grants and how to make it reflect who you are and where you come from.

Topics Covered

•       Why every entrepreneur needs a business plan, even a simple one

•       The key sections of a business plan explained simply

•       Executive summary: how to say it all in one page

•       Market analysis: understanding your industry and your competition

•       Operations plan: how your business runs day to day

•       Financial projections: what lenders and funders want to see

•       How to incorporate Indigenous identity and values into your plan

•       Using your business plan to apply for financing or government support

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

•       Identify the key sections of a business plan

•       Draft an executive summary for your business

•       Complete a one-page market analysis

•       Leave with a business plan template you can build on after the session

Note: Participants are encouraged  to bring any existing business plan, notes, or ideas to the session.

‍