Treaty 7 hosts conference

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For the first time in the 11 year history of the Community Futures business conferences, an Aboriginal organization has been selected to host the event.

From May 31 to June 3, the Treaty Seven Economic Development Corporation will see representatives from small business, government, and the Aboriginal community participate in a premier small business conference for Western Canada.

The conference theme is, "Forging a Future Together Through Entrepreneurship.".

The idea behind Community Futures is to assist in the development and creation of small business. Across western Canada, 90 communities have Community Futures Development Corporation offices. Independent and non-profit, Community Futures has played a major role in establishing small business operations as an integral part of Canada's economy.

The conference is to be held in Calgary and many guests, speakers and dignitaries are expected to attend.

So far, the Treaty Seven Economic Development Corporation has an impressive line-up of scheduled guests. They include Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine, Premier Ralph Klein, all seven chiefs of Treaty 7, Irene Pfeiffer, the president of Calgary's Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Leroy Little Bear, a professor at Harvard University. In total, the conference is expected to draw more than 500 participants.

Since the Treaty Seven group is hosting the event, they hope to shed some special focus on First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs.

The conference will also hold a mini-trade show to showcase Aboriginal businesses.

In keeping with this year's conference theme, the Treaty Seven group hopes to show people attending the conference how Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses can "forge together" for larger benefits.

For more information on the conference, call (403) 251 9242.