IRC’s 19th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Trade Show
The Indian Resources Council of Canada (IRC) held its 19th Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.), Conference and Trade Show on December 2 and 3, 2015 at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino in Tsuut’ina, Alberta. The event was a great success welcoming more than 150 Chiefs, Councillors, Industry leaders and technicians from across Canada to gather in Treaty No. 7 territory to discuss First Nations and Energy Transmission.
Dean Manywounds, Tsuut’ina Nation Councillor, IRC Chairman, opened the two-day event with the message, “My priority as Chairman of the Board is to continue providing leadership that ensures IRC is an effective, viable, and accountable association of First Nations who have an important stake in the energy sector.” Mr. Manywounds included, “I believe in strong and respectful partnerships and to this end my Board and I will regularly sit down with our counterparts in industry and Governments to discuss energy related issues and opportunities that are of benefit to all of us.” The IRC and the National Energy Business Centre of Excellence will continue to provide oil and gas producing First Nations with expertise and find ways to build capacity at various stages in their involvement in the oil and gas business.
IRC President/CEO, Stephen Buffalo, thanked attendees and sponsors saying, “On behalf of our National Board of Directors, I thank you for your attendance and participation at this event. Your support of the IRC and its mandates means a lot to us and it will only strengthen our resolve to continue advocating on your behalf for a greater role and meaningful participation in the energy industry.” Mr. Buffalo shared, “Our theme this year was ‘First Nations and Energy Transmission.’ The oil and gas business encompasses upstream, downstream, and midstream activities. With the slow growth and challenges facing upstream E&P activities due to the crash in oil prices, downstream and especially pipelines and Liquid Natural Gas have occupied the space. This is an opportunity again for First Nations to be a part of this development.”
The IRC greeted an array of high calibre speakers from First Nations, leading energy companies and training institutions. Delegates listened to key messages and updates from Chief Operating Officer, MidWest Pipelines, Ken Drysdale, Indian Oil and Gas Canada Chief Executive Officer, Strater Crowfoot, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Aboriginal Relations, Alberta, Donovan Young, President, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Dr. Brenda Kenny, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Chief Darcy Bear, President and Chief Executive Officer, Enform, Cameron MacGillvray, and Manager of Alberta Operations, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, David Gowland. Presentations were also heard from CN Rail, National Energy Board, Tahltan Nation, and Eyford Macaulay Shaw & Padmanabhan LLP, University of British Columbia, Forbes Bros. Ltd., and Bank of Canada.
As part of the A.G.M. and conference, the IRC partnered with 22 companies to create an exciting exhibit for delegates to visit, learn and network with one another. The IRC would like to thank the following companies and organizations for attending the event and showcasing their hard work; as well for creating a space that welcomed new relationships and ideas for business in the future.
Treaty Seven Community Futures Pimee Well Servicing Ltd. SafeTech Consulting Group Chemco Indian Business Corporation Mahikan Energy Services Ltd. National Energy Board Broker Link Royal Camp Services Ltd. Clifton Associates CSI Canada Safety Xpera Export SAIT Circle for Aboriginal Relations Meyer Norris Penny (MNP) Indian Oil and Gas Canada Midwest Pipeline BDC O’Chiese Energy Seven Lakes
“WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK SAY MAGAZINE, TRANSALTA, NATION TALK, TD, WILLOWS CONSTRUCTION, PEACE HILLS TRUST, WILLBROS, TSUUT’INA NATION, INDIAN OIL AND GAS CANADA, AND INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF SUPPORT,” SAID MR. MANYWOUNDS, “HAVING HOSTED MANY MEETINGS OVER THE YEARS, THIS YEAR’S GATHERING WAS ESPECIALLY INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL CONSIDERING THE FIRST NATION LEADERS, PARTNERS AND GUEST SPEAKERS THAT ATTENDED AND SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT.”
The IRC listened closely and respectfully to the voices of the conference delegates, speakers, and First Nation membership. A lot of challenging yet exciting work lies ahead of the IRC, however, with the support of its members and partners, it can be done. As the IRC continues to grow, and the involvement of First Nations in the industry strengthens, events and partnerships are the key to building respectful relationships between communities and industry. By working together we can ensure a mutually beneficial future in oil and gas development in Canada.
