CANDO to hold annual conference in Saskatchewan

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Economic development will be the topic of discussion in Saskatoon from Oct. 2 to 5 when the city plays host to the 13th annual conference of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).

Celebrating Our Success is the theme of the conference, which will feature a trade show and presentations as well as CANDO's annual general meeting.

"The high calibre of presentations that the 400-plus delegates will hear includes Lorraine Rekmans from the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, Michael Fox from the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund and Dawn Mills of the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering in B.C.," said Ray Wanuch, CANDO's executive director.

Since its formation in 1990, the Edmonton-based organization has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships between economic development officers, academics, Aboriginal leaders and senior corporate and government representatives in Aboriginal communities throughout the country.

"Our net is Canada-wide and we've had people from all areas attend the conference and participate in our programs," Wanuch said.

Delegates attending this year's conference will gain a lot of good information that they need in today's business world, he said. "They'll go home with some ideas for new ways of doing business and they'll have formed some new partnerships and joint ventures. Our track record shows we've provided a forum for people to respond to this trend of working together."

Saskatchewan will be well represented among the presenters scheduled to take part in this year's conference. Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company general manager Donna Heimbecker and actor Gordon Tootoosis are among the scheduled luncheon speakers for the first day of the gathering. Later that day, Tribal Chief Helen Ben from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council is scheduled to take part in a workshop on natural resource development, while Lester Lafond of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation will speak about urban reserves and Tony Kuchapski from Whitecap Dakota First Nation is scheduled to talk about the First Nations Land Management Act.

Also scheduled to present are clothing designer Eva Lizotte, general manager of Meadow Lake Tribal Council's development corporation, Vern Bachiu, and Anna Hunter, Isobel Findlay and Louise Clark from the University of Saskatchewan, who will talk about building regional alliances to support women's community economic development.

Other presenters will include Barbara Calderone from New Brunswick's Pabineau First Nation who will talk about the need for comprehensive community planning, Brian Calliou from the Banff Centre who will discuss how Aboriginal leaders can transform their communities into healthy, productive and self-sufficient nations, and Tom Maness and Carole Delion of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who will share the lessons learned in running the Ontario band's many corporations.

For the second year in a row, a youth panel will also be part of the conference agenda.

"This will be a plenary session and we will have students participating. As our youth are our future, we need to be sure they have an opportunity to be included," Wanuch said.

Among the panel members scheduled to take part are two young people from Saskatchewan-24-year-old Solomon Cyr from Gordon First Nation and 17-year-old Alex Sauvie from Red Pheasant First Nation.

Cyr , who is currently enrolled in the Indian Communication Arts program at the First Nations University of Canada, has a long history of volunteer work with such organizations as Regina Treaty Status Indian Services, The Rainbow Youth Centre, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples of Saskatchewan, the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Committee and the Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board's Aboriginal Youth Committee.

Sauvie also volunteers his time and services to a variety of community organizations, including the Battlefords Aboriginal Youth Council, the Red Pheasant First Nations Justice Committee andthe Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Youth Assembly. Sauvie graduated from high school last year, making the honour roll, being named valedictorian of his graduating class and becoming in his family to graduate.

Despite the packed agenda, the four-day event won't be all work and no play, Wanuch said.

"We like to think that the whole conference is fun, but we're also hosting a golf tournament on Monday at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links, followed by an evening of entertainment with comedian Howie Miller. On Tuesday evening, we are co-hosting an event with Peace Hills Trust at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, just north of Saskatoon. They'll be conducting their 24th annual Native Arts Awards Ceremony, so it will be an enjoyable evening for all."

The arts ceremony has been held as part of CANDO's annual conference several times in recent years, bringing the work of the artists to delegates in the hosting cities across the country.

Since 1995, another regular part of CANDO's conference has been the Economic Developer of the Year Awards. This year, two outstanding examples of Aboriginal economic development will be recognized, one in the individual category and one in the business/community category. The awards will be presented the final night of the conference.

A silent auction is also being held as part of the CANDO conference in order to raise funds for CANDO's foundation, which sponsors annual scholarships of $6,000 awarded to Aboriginal people interested in careers as economic development officers.

"Items include Aboriginal-themed art work, gathered from all over the country and representing many different nations," Wanuch said.

Items featured in the silent auction can be found on the CANDO Web site, where you can also place bids and track the bidding process.

"Our mission is to be the leading authority in Aboriginal community economic development and that parlays into some good discussion at the conference, Wanuch said. "We welcome everyone to join us and e a part of an exciting future for Aboriginal people."

For more information about the conference or to register to attend, visit the CANDO Web site at www.edo.ca or call the CANDO offices at 780-990-0303.