2019 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit

The Role of Universities in Bridging Economic Reconciliation. 
The format will be a moderated discussion of these questions featuring Indigenous leaders, followed by responses and commentary from a panel of university presidents. The Indigenous panel discussion will be moderated by Craig Hall, Chief Operating Office of Indigenous Works, a non-profit national organization that helps foster successful partnerships between companies and Indigenous organizations.

What are the roles that universities can play to help Indigenous/Native American communities and institutions achieve their self-determination and well-being goals, sustainable socio-economic outcomes, and prosperity?

How can university education and research opportunities be made more attainable for Indigenous students, businesses, organizations, and communities in Canada and the U.S.?  

What do we mean when we talk about ‘innovation' in the Indigenous context? Confirmed Indigenous speakers are:

Lee Ahenakew, a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and University of Saskatchewan commerce graduate, is a management consultant who builds businesses opportunities with First Nations and industry, with a focus in the natural resource and utility sectors. He has served as Interim CEO for the First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan and is currently on the board of directors. He was formerly chair of the USask Board of Governors, and is currently a board member.  https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lee-ahenakew-9138a5a

Judith Sayers, member of the Hupacasath First Nation where she served as Chief for 14 years, is currently a Strategic Adviser to First Nations and corporations, as well as an adjunct professor with the Peter Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria. She has a business and law degree and an honourary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University, and practised law for 18 years. As Chief, her focus included capacity building and sustainable development.  https://www.cleanenergybc.org/about/board-of-directors/judith-sayers

Karen Jarratt-Snider, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Applied Indigenous Studies Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Her research and teaching interests focus on Indigenous environmental justice, Indigenous justice issues, tribal environmental management, Indigenous environmental health, U.S. federal Indian policy and law, and STEM education for Indigenous students. Jarratt-Snider (PhD) is the co-editor, along with Marianne Nielson, of the Indigenous book series, Crime and Social Justice in Indian Country (2018), Traditional, National, and International Law and Indigenous Communities (forthcoming Spring 2020), and Indigenous Environmental Justice (forthcoming Spring 2020).

Responses and commentary from a panel of university and college presidents:
President Peter Stoicheff, University of Saskatchewan
President Lisa Avery, Portland Community College
President Brett Fairbairn, Thompson Rivers University
President Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic​​