The RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg bustled with activity and vibrant energy as the highly anticipated 2025 Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show celebrated Indigenous business, community, youth, and culture. Welcoming a record-breaking 1,700-plus participants, including Trade Show visitors, this event continues to celebrate the growing achievements of Indigenous people within the business community and beyond, year after year.
From awe-inspiring keynote speakers to engaging workshops and a sold-out trade show featuring a record 110 businesses, there was something for everyone, including business professionals and students alike.
The conference program focused on providing delegates, particularly young people, with an opportunity to be enlightened and educated about current and future labour market trends and opportunities, while also encouraging economic development and entrepreneurship as a career choice. The theme “From Vision to Reality” was echoed throughout the two-day event, with 32 speakers presenting 14 workshops in the areas of business, community and personal development, youth, and culture. The program showcased positive role models, primarily Indigenous, in the arts, entertainment, leadership, and business communities.
Walking Wolf Singers & Drummers
A pre-conference component included courses such as Chairing a Non-Profit Board with Jason Denbow from the Community Futures Leadership Institute and Exploring Indigenous Tourism for Your Community with Doreen Booth from Indigenous Tourism Manitoba.
New this year was a ‘roaming photo booth’ that provided participants the opportunity to capture memories of their time at Vision Quest, including a link to their photos via email or text message. New and exciting workshops offered to youth included Making Your Own Music – Skills of Songwriting and Heyyyy Guys…TikTok Talk, among others. Vision Quest also expanded the Safe Spaces program with a First Aid station featured prominently in the centre of activities. Additionally, the designated Safe Space Elders were introduced and made available throughout the Conference in the main meeting room and workshop area for support or a smudging ceremony.
With a dedication to supporting youth, Vision Quest awards bursaries each year to two Indigenous students studying at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business. Jacob Grift received the Steve Prince Memorial Bursary, and Andrew Boucher was awarded the Kim Bullard Memorial Bursary.
HIGHLIGHTS
Keynote, Actor/Writer, Katarina Ziervogel (2nd from right) with Vision Quest delegates
Vision Quest welcomed writer, actor and filmmaker Katarina Ziervogel as the opening keynote speaker. Ziervogel is an Anishinaabe/Mohawk/German Deaf woman from the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, committed to using her platform to enhance the visibility of Deaf and Indigenous representation on screen. Vision Quest coordinated a team of four American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to assist in the verbal interpretation of Ziervogel’s presentation to the audience and for all other presentations being interpreted visually to the audience through ASL.
A sold-out trade show, open to the public at no charge, showcased local and national Indigenous businesses, artists/crafters, education and training opportunities, community service organizations, and potential employers for youth or anyone looking for new career challenges, and those who wish to promote their products or services to Indigenous communities. The Elders’ Corner booth in the Trade Show was a busy spot where Elders shared their traditional wisdom and cultural knowledge.
Banquet guests enjoyed the skillful hoops of Notorious Cree (James Jones)
A banquet was held on the first night of the conference, featuring an extended array of entertainers, including Ila Barker, a singer-songwriter who performed during the reception, and the Walking Wolf Singers and Drummers, who provided entertainment for the Procession. Post-dinner cultural entertainment featured the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers and the hip-hop neon hoops of Notorious Cree (James Jones).
The Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition, presented in conjunction with Indigenous Business Development Services, is another exciting component of the conference that participants eagerly anticipate. Finalists were announced during the banquet, and the winners are: 1st Prize: eleven59 – Anthony Theriault and Todd de Groot.
The banquet concluded with great laughs, thanks to local comedian Chad Anderson.
Closing Keynote, Actor, Model, Activist – Ashley Callingbull
On day two, Vision Quest welcomed actor, Model, and activist Ashley Callingbull to the stage, inspiring the delegation as the closing keynote speaker. From the Enoch Cree Nation, she is known for her roles in Blackstone, Tribal, and The Great Salish Heist, and was a contestant on Amazing Race Canada. Callingbull has numerous accolades to her name, including being the first Indigenous First Nations woman to appear in Sports Illustrated. This year, she made history as the first Indigenous woman to win the title of Miss Universe Canada. She is also an international motivational speaker and has been recognized countless times for her dedication to public service, family, community, and her country, including being awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
For cultural presentations, special mention goes out to the Métis guitar and fiddle duo of Oliver Boulette and Gerry McIvor, Indigenous Veterans of Manitoba, conference Elder Darlene Beck, Safe Space Elders Florence and Philip Paynter, and the MC’s, Dennis Ward from APTN and Michael Hutchinson from the First Nations Education Resource Centre.
Vision Quest would also like to recognize Honourary Chair, Chief Gordon Bluesky of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, and representatives from the Mama Bear Clan (North Point Douglas Women’s Centre), who served as hosts in the Plenary.
Looking ahead, Vision Quest Conferences Inc. will continue to foster sustainable Indigenous communities filled with engaged citizens, knowledgeable community leaders, successful businesses, empowered youth, and proud cultural traditions. Until next year!
SAVE THE DATE
The 29th Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show
June 3 – 4, 2025
RBC CONVENTION CENTRE WINNIPEG
