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November 21-23, 2023

Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver, BC

In FNPSS’ first-in-person Conference since 2019, we invite leadership, administrators, and senior managers from all BC First Nations, delegates from First Nations governance and service organizations, and government and other partners to join us for a thought-provoking two days that will explore how First Nations governance administrations are "Taking Root."

To support BC First Nations public service, FNPSS offers paid registration, travel, and accommodation for two delegates per BC First Nation.

Far too often, First Nation government administrations are forced to bend in reaction to external forces – responding to crisis after crisis and externally imposed demands. But at the same time, First Nation governments are holding onto traditional roots of governance, and strengthening them with new roots, systems and strategies built together, creating solid foundations for our communities and Nations to thrive. 

Through a series of keynote speakers, plenaries, workshops, and networking and partnership opportunities, participants will delve into the many ways strong roots for collective growth in First Nations governance and administration are being developed.

Join us as we focus on building and gaining capacity through strong rooted governance systems, and people to bring them to life. 

Themes

Eligibility & Travel Support

What's Included

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) will waive conference registrations fees and reimburse travel costs for two delegates from each BC First Nation to attend the annual FNPSS Conference.  

Additional representatives from the same community or a non-First Nation organization may attend the event at their own expense. Payment instructions, venue information and conference passes will be sent out following registration.    

Eligibility

To be eligible, at least one of the delegates should be a Band Administrator, Band Manager, Chief Administrative Officer or equivalent. The additional eligible delegate may be a senior band administration staff member or elected leadership.  

If a Nation wishes to send a delegate who is not included in the abovementioned groups, they may do so with written approval from their Band Administrator or an elected Leader.   

Priority is reserved for the two delegate attendees from each BC First Nation. For information on Tribal Council or other First Nation support organizations eligibility, please contact FNPSS.  

Travel Information

Two delegates per BC First Nation will be eligible for reimbursement of the following:  

  • 100% of the conference registration fee will be waived for eligible delegates. 
  • Reasonable travel costs, meals (less provided) and incidentals per the First Nations Summit Society Travel Policy. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on all conference days. 
  • Accommodation at the Pan Pacific Hotel. The allowance for accommodations is one extra day plus conference dates for a maximum of three nights.   

Expenses that will not be reimbursed include, but are not limited to: 

  • Optional social events will not be reimbursed.  
  • Local travel within Vancouver beyond commercial transportation between the hotel and airport. 
  • Fees for late cancellations (accommodations, airfare, etc.) 

Eligible delegates must attend and check-in with the registration desk on each day of the conference to receive travel reimbursement. Attendance at both Pre and Main Conference are eligible for travel reimbursement. 

Registration & Location

How to Register

FNPSS will confirm eligibility once the online registration form has been submitted. It is important to include accurate and current position titles in your registration, as well as accurate and current contact information. If more than two eligible delegates have registered, FNPSS will advise which two delegates will be considered the official delegates for reimbursement.  

Additional information about the venue, room block booking, conference passes etc. will be communicated via email once registration has been confirmed by FNPSS.   

PRICING

Regular Price: $850 

Cancellation and Substitution Policy

Please contact FNPSS directly if you are no longer available to attend the conference or if you wish to send a substitute delegate in your place.

Location

Address:

Pan Pacific Vancouver

999 Canada Pl #300,

Vancouver, BC

V6C 3B5

Eligibility & Travel Support

General Enquiries: info@fnps.ca

Special Thank you

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FNPSS would like to give a special thank you to the Government of Canada & Province of BC for providing funding to support this event and travel for First Nations delegates. 

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To our sponsor Zacharias Vickers LLP, thank you for supporting our Portraits of a Fire film screening.

IN ADDITION WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK:

  • Band Administrators Advisory Committee (BAAC)
  • The First Nations Summit Society
  • BC Federal Council
  • Canada School of Public Service
  • Canada Labour Program
  • Our Elders
  • Fort Nelson First Nation, Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation
  • Takla First Nation, Tl’azt’en Nation
  • Qualicum First Nation, Nisgaa Nation
  • Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation
  • T’sartlip First Nation, Tsatsu Stalqayu, Dakelh
  • All of our speakers and workshop facilitators
  • All of our exhibitors
  • Our amazing conference planning committee and volunteers
  • And all of our delegates and participants; in particular, the hard working First Nation administration staff from BC communities.

Social Feeds

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Meet the Speaker - Robin Henry!

Robin is of Tlingit and Vuntut Gwitch’in ancestry and a citizen of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation in the Yukon Territory. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and also has a BA in Social Sciences. To complement those designations, Mr. Henry is also a Chartered Director (C.Dir.), holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the UBC Sauder School of Business, and attended the AFOA Canada sponsored “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” at the Harvard Business School. Robin has 25 years’ experience in the senior human resource management position with several national, provincial and local First Nations and Indigenous organizations.
Robin is leading a workshop on Sucession Planning Training which is designed to help participants develop comprehensive strategies for identifying and nurturing future leaders and ensuring smooth transitions and long-term success.
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker - Robin Henry!

Robin is of Tlingit and Vuntut Gwitch’in ancestry and a citizen of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation in the Yukon Territory. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and also has a BA in Social Sciences. To complement those designations, Mr. Henry is also a Chartered Director (C.Dir.), holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the UBC Sauder School of Business, and attended the AFOA Canada sponsored “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” at the Harvard Business School. Robin has 25 years’ experience in the senior human resource management position with several national, provincial and local First Nations and Indigenous organizations. 
Robin is leading a workshop on Sucession Planning Training which is designed to help participants develop comprehensive strategies for identifying and nurturing future leaders and ensuring smooth transitions and long-term success.

Meet the Speaker: Harmony Johnson!

Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, is of the Tla’amin First Nation. Harmony is the Vice-President-Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation at Providence Health Care, and operates a consulting business providing strategy, advisory, and project leadership services in Indigenous human rights, governance, data sovereignty, and issues of anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination. She teaches and writes in matters of Indigenous health and human rights, including print and digital books about her grandmother’s life history and Tla’amin teachings.

Harmony will be moderating the Plenary; Data at the Root of First Nations Governance. This panel will profile ways in which BC First Nations are advancing data capacity in their governments, and how this type of work is being further supported with services and funding of an emerging BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre.
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Harmony Johnson!
 
Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, is of the Tla’amin First Nation. Harmony is the Vice-President-Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation at Providence Health Care, and operates a consulting business providing strategy, advisory, and project leadership services in Indigenous human rights, governance, data sovereignty, and issues of anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination. She teaches and writes in matters of Indigenous health and human rights, including print and digital books about her grandmother’s life history and Tla’amin teachings.
 
Harmony will be moderating the Plenary; Data at the Root of First Nations Governance. This panel will profile ways in which BC First Nations are advancing data capacity in their governments, and how this type of work is being further supported with services and funding of an emerging BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre.

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite all BC First Nations to attend a free webinar designed to provide information on how to apply to the First Nations Well Being Fund!

The session is intended to be practical and will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application process, guidelines, and documents you will need to submit your application. FNPSS staff will be on hand to walk you through the application form(s), identify the type and level of information required, and to answer any questions you might have.

Participation is NOT mandatory; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
To register for ONE of the sessions, select from the list of session dates below. Please note both sessions are the same.

Tuesday, November 28, at 12-12:50 PM: ow.ly/U1Rb50Q42ox

Thursday, November 30, at 12-12:50 PM: fnps-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-qtpj4qEtS6veo_BjeT2jUwWzHbnzzp#/registration
... See MoreSee Less

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite all BC First Nations to attend a free webinar designed to provide information on how to apply to the First Nations Well Being Fund!
 
The session is intended to be practical and will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application process, guidelines, and documents you will need to submit your application. FNPSS staff will be on hand to walk you through the application form(s), identify the type and level of information required, and to answer any questions you might have.  
 
Participation is NOT mandatory; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
To register for ONE of the sessions, select from the list of session dates below. Please note both sessions are the same. 
 
Tuesday, November 28, at 12-12:50 PM: https://ow.ly/U1Rb50Q42ox

Thursday, November 30, at 12-12:50 PM: https://fnps-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-qtpj4qEtS6veo_BjeT2jUwWzHbnzzp#/registration

Meet the Speaker: Michelle Barroca!

Michelle is a records management, privacy and archives specialist with over 20 years of experience working with local governments and First Nations organizations throughout BC and Yukon. She has a Master of Archival Studies degree from UBC and worked for the cities of Burnaby and Kelowna for nearly 10 years before returning to the Kootenays and establishing FY Information Management Consulting. Michelle provides assessments, recommendations, documentation, training and support to various organizations and is a long-standing RIM facilitator with the FNPSS.

Michelle will be leading the Records and Information Management Assessment Toolkit: How-to Session. This session will provide participants with an introduction to the RIM Assessment Toolkit. This self-guided resource supports First Nations in conducting in-house assessments of their existing RIM situation to better understand what is working well, what needs improvement, and where to focus efforts to realize improvements that reflect RIM best practices.

Take a look at our agenda and register now: ow.ly/2lpO50Q2Cjq
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Michelle Barroca!
 
Michelle is a records management, privacy and archives specialist with over 20 years of experience working with local governments and First Nations organizations throughout BC and Yukon.  She has a Master of Archival Studies degree from UBC and worked for the cities of Burnaby and Kelowna for nearly 10 years before returning to the Kootenays and establishing FY Information Management Consulting. Michelle provides assessments, recommendations, documentation, training and support to various organizations and is a long-standing RIM facilitator with the FNPSS.
 
Michelle will be leading the Records and Information Management Assessment Toolkit: How-to Session. This session will provide participants with an introduction to the RIM Assessment Toolkit.  This self-guided resource supports First Nations in conducting in-house assessments of their existing RIM situation to better understand what is working well, what needs improvement, and where to focus efforts to realize improvements that reflect RIM best practices.
 
Take a look at our agenda and register now: https://ow.ly/2lpO50Q2Cjq

Meet the Speaker: Jamie Sterritt!

Jamie started his career at Klohn-Crippen Consultants in Vancouver, BC, where he became known for involving communities and using technology effectively. In 2005, he began Sa’hetxw Consulting, handling projects from technology and education to community development. He's now an expert in technology and Governance, blending traditional and modern knowledge with passion. He's from the Gitxsan Nation and serves on the Board of Governors for JIBC, FPCC and Creative BC.

Jamie will be leading a session on First Nations Leadership Public Service: Roles and Responsibilities. The session provides participants with a concise exploration of the roles and responsibilities within First Nation governments, helping attendees understand key functions and expectations in the field of governance and administration. This session will be delivered in two parts:

Part One: An overview of the functions and obligations of the Chief and Council and the tools required for the efficient execution of their responsibilities.

Part Two: The collaborative dynamics between the Council and their Administrator in promoting good governance, including understanding the Administrator's varied functions as the sole employee of Council.

View the rest of the agenda and register here: ow.ly/to4750Q1uXl
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Jamie Sterritt!
 
Jamie started his career at Klohn-Crippen Consultants in Vancouver, BC, where he became known for involving communities and using technology effectively. In 2005, he began Sa’hetxw Consulting, handling projects from technology and education to community development. Hes now an expert in technology and Governance, blending traditional and modern knowledge with passion. Hes from the Gitxsan Nation and serves on the Board of Governors for JIBC, FPCC and Creative BC.
 
Jamie will be leading a session on First Nations Leadership Public Service: Roles and Responsibilities. The session provides participants with a concise exploration of the roles and responsibilities within First Nation governments, helping attendees understand key functions and expectations in the field of governance and administration. This session will be delivered in two parts: 

Part One: An overview of the functions and obligations of the Chief and Council and the tools required for the efficient execution of their responsibilities. 

Part Two: The collaborative dynamics between the Council and their Administrator in promoting good governance, including understanding the Administrators varied functions as the sole employee of Council.
 
View the rest of the agenda and register here: https://ow.ly/to4750Q1uXl
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