Powerful voices of women were heard

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Voices of the Women, the title for the Business Leaders for Women conference that took place May 30 and 31, was a powerful one. As you looked through the agenda and saw the names of the speakers, you had the hope that this could provide all of the almost 100 who attended with something new that would help them on their path to personal, professional and community successes.

The conference room in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Georgia was large, and situated along the walls were many talented vendors with bent boxes, weaving, carvings and clothing displays. Those arriving were from all over Canada, and if the dress code was an indication, these women meant business.

The welcome and opening remarks on Thursday were delivered by Brenda Chambers, president of Brenco Media, who encouraged all throughout the conference to "share their ideas, support and learn from one another." The conference room was filled with round tables and there were no empty seats. Every table had participants listening intently or sharing comments with their neighbors.

Gail Sparrow, of the Musqueam Nation and principal of Native Personnel Services, delivered the opening prayer. In her talk entitled Focus on the Future, she shared this analogy when speaking about others who may have thought her goals and dreams for her business and future were too lofty. "The bumblebee, according to science, should not be able to fly-the only thing is, nobody told the bumblebee that!"

She added, "I wish to be that bumblebee, and you should too." A motivational start to the two days was completed with Gail leading the entire group of conference goers to say aloud "I am on my journey, and I will not be moved!"

David Palmer, a delegate and advisor for the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, was attending with the goals of gathering information to help in addressing similar issues within Ontario. When asked his opinion of the day, David stated, "The speakers have all stood out, their strength, diversity of businesses represented and their willingness and desire to share for the benefit of all are inspiring."

The presenters over the two days shared one thing in common; they spoke with their hearts as well as their minds and experience. However, one speaker seemed to bring a unique passion to those in attendance. Pam Baker, of Touch of Culture Designs, brought together her culture, her family, her education and her personal and business experiences into a motivating story which had most of us sitting a little straighter in our chairs. Pam has been surrounded by family who have been entrepreneurs, and she credits this with much of her success. Speaking directly to the Aboriginal businesswomen in attendance Pam stated, "all of us have so much talent. My motto is, water it and it will grow. It will blossom, like a plant."

There were technical aspects to the agenda, which included Micheline L'Esperance-Labelle, of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, who presented on E-commerce for small business and its success. Line Pare, of INAC, spoke of gender-based trends and gender equality analysis. It was noted that there are gaps in training and knowledge, but these gaps also provide opportunity.

If there was an area that may have room for improvement it would have been in having more interactivity between participants and speakers and other participants. Myrna Korbutiak, of the Native Investment and Trade Association, who organized the conference, was quietly passionate and smiled as she spoke of the event. "I am so happy with the level of the speakers and of my team. Women need to have their voices heard, and with another conference I would wish to see more workshops, more interaction, with all types of entrepreneurs given the opportunity to assess their choices, and gain from the experience of the speakers and other businesswomen."

Attending from the Paul First Nation, located west of Edmonton, M. Bird was impressed with the level of interest i promoting Aboriginal women in business. "For whatever reason, the focus on business for Aboriginal women that I have seen here in B.C. is surprising, and welcomed."

Putting podiums and PowerPoint presentations aside, as one met people individually, what lay beneath the two days became evident: it was the spirit of the room. It was a confidence that each one of the participants had a role in making a difference for the future of Aboriginal businesswomen in Canada. Whether it was during the breaks where people talked over food and refreshment, leaning close to another participant to clarify a point from a speaker, or surely after hours when new relationships were built, there was a spirit that permeated everyone. It was sometimes subtle, but unmistakable in everyone's minds.

Of her custom factory on the Capilano reserve in North Vancouver, Pam Baker stated clearly, "I don't allow negative energy to come into my building." There was none of that here, and leaving the room to take a break, a smiling and enthusiastic delegate was heard saying to Calvin Helin, president of NITA, "can you feel the strength in this room?" By the end of the two days, I think we all could.