Webinar Series
Current, Relevant, Focused
FNPSS webinars feature speakers on topics of current interest and relevance to BC First Nations administrators and leaders.
- The FNPSS Mentorship Network webinars are based on First Nation to First Nation learning
- The Town Hall webinars bring federal government representatives and others together to share and discuss relevant topics with First Nations leaders and administrators
Contact the FNPSS at if you have any questions about the webinars or if you would like to propose a subject.
The FNPSS makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or suitability of any information in the listed materials.
“Great webinar with experienced administrators – Kukstemc!”
– FNPSS Webinar Participant
Upcoming Webinars
Visit our Events Calendar to register for upcoming webinars.
Stay Informed
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Join the First Nations Administrators Network Facebook Group to ask questions, post requests for speakers and topics, and/or share best practices from your community.
“The Moderator was exceptionally efficient. All speakers were well prepared and clear. The information provided was very timely and relevant. One of the best webinars I’ve ever attended. Thank you for permitting me to watch.”
Access Past Webinars
Past webinars are organized below into FNPSS’s four core pillars of public service capacity plus special categories. The link is provided to each YouTube video. Alternatively, you can view all the recordings on our YouTube channel.
Vaccine Policy
December 8, 2021
Have you been thinking about developing a COVID-19 vaccination policy in your First Nation or support organization? This webinar explored the legal and practical considerations around vaccination policies in First Nations. The presenters shared tools on how to navigate the challenging process of evaluating, drafting, and implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy in the workplace.
Presenters
Scott McCann and Josh Sutherland, Harris & Company LLP
COVID-19: Planning and Reporting in Unprecedented Times
February 2, 2021
Significant funds have been distributed to First Nations over the last year to respond to the pandemic. With the fiscal year-end coming up and ongoing uncertainty on reporting requirements and financial accountability, webinar panelists discuss how they have been managing their finances to be able to pivot and manage their COVID relief funds for audits and budgets.
Presenters
Sukhi Chouhan, Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC, Brian Conner, Penticton Indian Band and Heather Fader. Shackan Indian Band
COVID-19 Vaccination – The Realities of Community Roll-Out
January 20, 2021
As COVID-19 vaccines become available in British Columbia, remote First Nations are among the first to receive doses for their community members. Community leaders share stories around what has worked, what has been challenging, and what they have learned during the implementation process.
Presenters
Chief Kevin Peacey from Klahoose First Nation, Feddie Louie from Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and Mariah Charleson from Tahltan Band Council
New Federal COVID-19 Supports – Canada Response Benefits and Changes to Employment Insurance
November 4, 2020
A discussion about the new COVID-19 supports, including changes to Employment Insurance (EI) and the new Canada Response Benefits and what info you can share with your band members living on and off reserve.
Presenters
Service Canada Community Outreach Liaisons, Brenda Giesbrecht and Dianne Stoesz, and Canada Revenue Agency’s Outreach Manager Karen Martin and Officer Saverio Desantis
Outbreak! Lessons Learned from BC First Nations
October 6, 2020
A discussion about the experiences responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their own communities that focused on the details of the outbreak in their community, how prepared their community was and what they wish they had had in place prior to the outbreak, how community mobility was/is being managed to contain the outbreak and reduce further exposure, what partners supported the community the most and how, and recommendations to other First Nations on how to improve their response measures, resume services, and be ready for the second wave.
Presenters
Shannon Alfred, Health and Safety Manager, ‘Namgis First Nation Health Centre, Erik Blaney, Fire Chief, Tla’amin Nation, Chris Lewis, Spokesperson/Council Member, Squamish Nation Council and Kyle Marshall, Director, Emergency Operations Center, Skidegate Band Council
ISC BC Region Town Hall
September 16, 2020
A general update to community leadership and a discussion from leadership about the issues of importance for your communities.
Presenters
Catherine Lappe, ISC Regional Director General, Bill Guerin, ISC Associate Regional Director General, David Russell, ISC Director Lands and Economic Development, Wendy Rogers, ISC Director Programs and Partnerships, Jody Kaden, ISC Director Funding Services, Rick Milone, FNHA and Dr. Shannon McDonald, FNHA
Continuing Capital Projects During COVID-19
September 2, 2020
COVID-19 has created massive disruptions to all forms of business over the last five months. In some communities, projects have managed to continue moving ahead, despite these challenges. The discussion shared the ways in which the communities have managed to move forward waterline and house construction projects and work towards building a health facility and Kekuli (gathering place) for their community in the midst of a global crisis.
Presenters
Vaughn Sunday, Executive Director, Adams Lake Indian Band and Jerry Andrew, Engineer, Adams Lake Indian Band
ISC BC Region Town Hall
August 4, 2020
A general update to community leadership and a discussion from leadership about the issues of importance for your communities.
Presenters
Catherine Lappe, Regional Director General, ISC BC Region and members of the ISC BC Region Executive Leadership Team
Reopening Offices and Returning to Work
July 23, 2020
What are your obligations as a manager to reopen your band office safely? How can you support your staff and what might you expect as they return to work? The webinar provides an overview of the applicable regulations from Federal Labour Program officials and best practices from a First Nation HR practitioner.
Presenters
Robin Henry, ‘Namgis First Nation, Siobhan Hutchinson, Federal Labor Program Official and Melissa Morden, Federal Labor Program Official
Reconciliation in a Time of Uncertainty
June 3, 2020
A presentation from Chief Joseph on the impacts of COVID-19 on reconciliation in Canada and the opportunities emerging from this crisis for new ways of working and being together.
Presenters
Dr. Robert Joseph, Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation
Food Security During a Pandemic
May 20, 2020
A discussion on food security challenges, opportunities, and innovative responses during COVID-19.
Presenters
Jeneen Hunt, Ditidaht First Nation, Anne Atleo, Ahousaht First Nation and Milica Nauman, ISC
Communicating with Members During COVID-19
May 13, 2020
A discussion about communications challenges arising from COVID-19, as well as best practices for communicating with members from a distance.
Presenters
Melissa Quocksister, K'ómoks First Nation and Juanita Lindley, Upper Nicola Band
ISC BC Region Town Hall
May 1, 2020
A discussion about First Nations’ education in BC given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters
Catherine Lappe, Regional Director General, ISC BC Region, Tyrone McNeil, President of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), Edith Loring-Kuhanga, President of the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA), representatives of the BC Ministry of Education
Accessing COVID-19 Supports for First Nations
April 29, 2020
A discussion about accessing supports for on- and off-reserve BC First Nations during COVID-19 and ideas for moving forward.
Presenters
Karen Martin, CRA, Saverio Desantis, CRA and Mary Leslie, Heiltsuk Nation
Wellness in a Time of Uncertainty
April 8, 2020
The webinar outlined the critical importance of wellness and healing in a time of uncertainty.
June 29 & 30, 2021
Presenters
Babs Stevens, CAO, Skidegate Band Council and Healer and Sandra Harris, Wet’suwet’en Trauma Practitioner
First Nations Child and Family Services during the COVID-19 Crisis
April 8, 2020
A discussion about First Nations Child and Family Services in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters
Cheryl Casumer, Executive Task Group, First Nations Summit, Allison Bond, Deputy Minister, ISC and Catherine Lappe, Regional Director General, ISC BC Region
Secwepemc Nation’s Economic Impacts due to COVID-19
April 6, 2020
A discussion about the economic impacts that have – and will continue to – impact First Nation communities due to COVID-19.
Presenters
Councillor Jeanette Jules, Title and Rights, Legal (Day Scholars, DRI) and Community Services Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Greg Booth, Director, Indigenous Economic Opportunity, Secretariat to the Indigenous Investment Council, Innovation and Technology Division, Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, Bill Guerin, Associate Regional Director General, ISC and David S. Russell, Director, Lands and Economic Development, ISC
ISC BC Region Town Hall
April 3, 2020
A discussion on information related to the Indigenous Community Support Fund, Emergency Management Assistance Program, Income Assistance, and reporting requirement changes.
Presenters
Catherine Lappe, Regional Director General, ISC BC Region and joined by members of the ISC Executive Leadership Team, as well as Dr. Shannon McDonald, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
BC First Nations Responding to COVID-19
April 2, 2020
Many communities are struggling with how to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This webinar provides a discussion about how communities are moving forward during the crisis.
Presenters
Byron Louis, Chief, Okanagan Indian Band and Alison Trenholm, Councillor, Homalco First Nation
ISC BC Region Town Hall
March 27, 2020
A review of news related to the Emergency Management Assistance Program, Income Assistance, and funding and reporting requirement changes.
Presenters
Bill Guerin, Associate Regional Director General, ISC BC Region and Leah George-Wilson, Co-Chair of the First Nations Summit and Chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation
BC First Nations Responding to COVID-19
March 26, 2020
Many communities are struggling with how to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This webinar provides a discussion about how communities are moving forward during the crisis.
Presenters
Rob Bullock, Band Administrator, Ahousaht First Nation and Collette Sunday, Band Administrator, Upper Nicola Band
BC First Nations Responding to COVID-19
March 25, 2020
Many communities are struggling with how to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This webinar provides a discussion about how communities are moving forward during the crisis.
Presenters
Chris Derickson, Chief, Westbank First Nation and Erik Blaney, Emergency Planning Advisor, Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council
BC First Nations Responding to COVID-19
March 20, 2020
Many communities are struggling with how to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This webinar provides a discussion about how communities are moving forward during the crisis.
Presenters
Sandra Olson, Chief Executive Officer, Nak’azdli Whut’en and Deanna George, Councillor, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Human Resources Management
Reopening Offices and Returning to Work
July 23, 2020
What are your obligations as a manager to reopen your band office safely? How can you support your staff and what might you expect as they return to work? The webinar provides an overview of the applicable regulations from Federal Labour Program officials and best practices from a First Nation HR practitioner.
Presenters
Robin Henry, ‘Namgis First Nation, Siobhan Hutchinson, Federal Labor Program Official and Melissa Morden, Federal Labor Program Official
Working Remotely with Staff
May 6, 2020
A discussion about some of the challenges, solutions, and opportunities of working with staff from virtual offices.
Presenters
Robin Henry, ‘Namgis First Nation and Cathy Murphy, Fort Nelson First Nation
Human Resources in a COVID-19 World
April 22, 2020
A discussion about the human resource issues (HR) arising from COVID-19 to date and explore how to proceed with managing HR in this uncertain time.
Presenters
Roy Spinks, Human Resources Manager, Lytton First Nation and Scott McCann, Partner, Harris & Company
Wellness in a Time of Uncertainty
April 8, 2020
The webinar outlined the critical importance of wellness and healing in a time of uncertainty.
Presenters
Babs Stevens, CAO, Skidegate Band Council and Healer and Sandra Harris, Wet’suwet’en Trauma Practitioner
Collaborative Learning Day 2021
June 29 & 30, 2021
The FNPSS and the BC Federal Council invited HR Practitioners, Managers, and Band Administrators from BC First Nations communities to come together virtually for a Collaborative Learning event, focused on the theme of Human Resources and preparing for the future.
DAY 1 PANEL DISCUSSION: HUMAN RESOURCES - CURRENT REALITIES AND CHARTING A PATH FORWARD
A diverse open panel of government/provincial and First Nations speakers discussed HR lessons learned and how human resources have been affected by COVID 19. Speakers drew from their experience and discussed learnings from the past, transition periods, planning for the future and what that would look like. COVID-related legislation, return to work, mask/vaccination, virtual work, and other government facing initiatives came from the Provincial Government side. First Nations speakers provided Indigenous context and best practices on COVID-19 related HR practices.
Presenters
Leona Baptiste, Osoyoos Indian Band; Melissa Morden, Employment and Social Development Canada; Sunny Wong, Canada Revenue Agency; Jennifer Wiegele, Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Breakout Session 1: Planning and Preparing for a return to the office
Presenters
Kelly Parkin, Employment and Social Development Canada; and Qwuyumaat (Eyvettee) Elliott, Ever Plan
BREAKOUT SESSION 2: COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
Presenters
Jeanette Proulx, Canada School of Public Service
Breakout Session 3: Learn more about new legislation – violence in the workplace and cultural leave
*Note: Due to recording issue, this recording begins suddenly*
Presenters
Scott McCann, Harris & Co, and Melissa Morden, Employment and Social Development Canada
Breakout Session 4: A deeper dive into the labour code part 3
This session will discuss Part 3 of the Canada Labor Code which touches on topics such as termination, keeping records, paying wages, types of leave, and more. In relation to workers’ rights and fair and equitable conditions of employment, speakers will dive into the details and conditions of these line items. *Please note that due to a recording issue the session has a slightly delayed start.*
Presenters
Scott McCann, Harris and Co.; Siobhan Hutchinson, Employment and Social Development Canada
Breakout Session 5: Building your conflict resolution toolkit
Presenters
Scott Siemens, Federal Interdepartmental Conflict Management Practitioner
Breakout Session 6: What you need to know about Duty to Accommodate
Presenters
Melanie Samuels, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
Closing Keynote – Dr. Leroy Little Bear: promoting health, wellness, and resiliency
Presenters
Dr. Leroy Little Bear
Financial Management
Managing New Economic Realities
April 15, 2020
A discussion about current and future economic impacts of COVID-19 and how BC First Nations can respond.
Presenters
Chief Commissioner Manny Jules, First Nations Tax Commission and Chief David Jimmie, Squiala First Nation
Records and Information Management
The Power of Our Data
April 14, 2021
Numbers and statistics are used all the time to tell us things about our communities and how we compare. How can we take charge of all of this information to tell the stories we want to tell about our people?
Presenters
Byron Flekke, St'at'imc, Statistics Canada, Len Garis, National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, and Robert Harding, University of the Fraser Valley
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and DRIPA: Asserting Data and Intellectual Property Ownership
August 4, 2021
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) acknowledges that Indigenous peoples have rights related to intellectual property and identity. This session provided participants with practical examples of how First Nations Governments could assert ownership over their Nation's intellectual property (i.e. language, stories, songs, practices, etc.) and identity.
This knowledge-sharing series was organized by the First Nations Information Governance Centre and the BC First Nations Data Governance Initiative.
Presenters
Gwen Phillips, Ktunaxa Nation and Christopher Horsethief
Data Governance: Government to Government Data Quality and Sharing Agreements
August 17, 2021
BC has a great diversity of First Nations cultures with 34 living languages and many dialects associated with the Indigenous Nations that hold rights in BC. During this session, participants explored the concept of Quality Data from various First Nations worldviews, and they reviewed a preliminary draft of a First Nations Government developed Data Quality and Sharing Agreement template.
This knowledge-sharing series was organized by the First Nations Information Governance Centre and the BC First Nations Data Governance Initiative.
Presenters
Gwen Phillips, Ktunaxa Nation and Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, Tla’amin Nation
Data and Information Management: Policies and Procedures to Manage and Protect Data
September 1, 2021
First Nations Governments create and receive massive amounts of data in the form of documents, studies, and correspondence. To govern the management of these resources, policies and procedures need to be in place to manage resources and their creation, retention, storage, sharing, and analysis. During this session, a Data Governance Framework and Policy Manual for First Nations Governments was shared with participants, as was a variety of other records and information management resources.
This knowledge-sharing series was organized by the First Nations Information Governance Centre and the BC First Nations Data Governance Initiative.
Presenters
Gwen Phillips, Ktunaxa Nation, Michelle Barroca, Records and Information Specialist and Margaret Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Archivist
Policy Development and Implementation
Virtual Engagement and Decision-Making
May 27, 2020
A discussion about the challenges and opportunities around engaging members remotely and conducting virtual decision-making for land code and elections amidst COVID-19.
Presenters
Collette Sunday, Band Administrator, Upper Nicola Band
Communicating with Members During COVID-19
May 13, 2020
A discussion about communications challenges arising from COVID-19, as well as best practices for communicating with members from a distance.
Presenters
Melissa Quocksister, K'ómoks First Nation and Juanita Lindley, Upper Nicola Band
Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats provide opportunities for current and aspiring elected leaders to connect with First Nation mentors.
Fireside chat with Chief Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation
January 13, 2022
Chief Crystal Smith is a passionate advocate for her people. She sees great value in building Haisla Nation-owned joint venture partnerships, which allow members to be part of major projects in their territory, providing a doorway to rewarding work and educational opportunities that will benefit both current and future generations.
Fireside chat with Vaughn Sunday, Executive Director, Adams Lake Indian Band
November 24, 2021
Vaughn Sunday is the Executive Director of the Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB). Vaughn was born and raised on the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, is a Mohawk language speaker, and is a member of the Wolfclan of the Akswesasne longhouse. After 27 years working with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Vaughn completed a Masters degree in Public Administration from Queens University and moved into his current position with ALIB. Vaughn is proud to have played a part in assisting the Adams Lake community in such areas as housing, capital infrastructure, and financial management.
Fireside chat with Chief Harvey McLeod, Upper Nicola Band
October 27, 2021
Chief Harvey McLeod has been the elected chief of Upper Nicola Band since 2014. When he was first elected chief after serving as councillor, he thought the transition would be an easy one. Instead, he found that the role required him to learn new skills, make changes to his priorities, and get used to spending long periods of time on his own. Chief Harvey became especially aware of the importance of learning from others (i.e. mentorship) and developing strong relationships based on understanding and respect.
Emergency Management
Discussion on Community Funding for Wildfires
June 10, 2020
A discussion with Emergency Management BC (EMBC), BC Wildfire Services (BCWS), First Nation Emergency Social Services (FNESS), and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on funding available for First Nations for wildfires and other emergencies.
Presenters
Wendy Rogers, Director or Programs and Partnerships, ISC, Duncan Stephen, Manager, Emergency Management, ISC, Jamie Jeffreys, Director of Strategic Engagement, BCWS, Kayla Pepper, Director, Indigenous Community Relations & Partnership Engagement, EMBC, Stephanie Papik, Director, Strategic Integration of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Safety and Humility, EMBC, and Jeff Eustache, Manager Forest Fuel Management Department, FNESS
FNPSS Information
FNPSS Holiday Webinar: Raising Our Hands
December 16, 2020
Featuring a live performance from the award-winning Mohawk blues musician Murray Porter! A celebration of the strength and resilience of all of the amazing people and organizations that have been part of our collective journey in 2020.
FNPSS Information Session
August 20, 2020
Information about the FNPSS and its work, directed at all BC Government employees.
Presenters
Howard Grant, Executive Director of the First Nations Summit, Jehan Casey, Director of the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, Sandra Wesley-Olson, Director of Operations for the Hagwilget First Nation Government and Collette Sunday, Band Administrator for the Upper Nicola Band
Government of Canada Information Sharing
Reverse Town Hall: First Nations Youth: bridging the gap between community and opportunity
March 25, 2021
First Nations youth often have to leave their communities to access education and career opportunities. Hear from three BC first Nation youth as they share their views on why First Nations youth leave their communities, why they do or do not choose to return, and what those choices mean for their connection to culture and community.
Presenters
Howard Grant, Councillor, Musqueam Indian Band, and Executive Director, First Nations Summit, Karista Olson, Shoshoni Andrew and Dylan Daniels
Reverse Town Hall: How to Best Engage and Consult with First Nations During COVID
January 28, 2021
First Nations communities are in the midst of a second wave of the pandemic, which is hitting them harder than the first wave last spring. Yet federal government public servants are faced with the mandate to continue to engage and consult on a variety of programs, policies and initiatives. A discussion of what the current realities are on the ground for First Nations, and some best practices and respectful approaches to consult and engage in meaningful discussions and initiatives.
Presenters
Chief Christopher Derickson, Westbank First Nation, Collette Sunday, Upper Nicola Band, Councillor Brian Holmes, Upper Nicola Band
First Nations Children and Family Townhall Session
January 14, 2021
A discussion about First Nations child and family services in BC and specifically on work that is occurring provincially and federally and have an opportunity to ask questions directly to representatives.
Presenters
Representatives from Indigenous Services Canada, MCFD, and the FNLC
“Thanks for hosting these webinars, they are a good resource for sharing & learning to navigate our way through this pandemic”
– FNPSS Webinar Participant
Social Feeds
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FNPSS invites all current and aspiring First Nations Administrators and Elected Leaders to join a 90-minute Fireside Chat with Joe Bevan, former Chief and Councillor with Kitselas First Nation. Register here: http://ow.ly/LYcT50JekMY
Catch up with our latest Webinar Wednesday here: http://ow.ly/E2LE50J7Plz
Did you miss our Fireside Chat with Ernest Armann?
Catch up here: http://ow.ly/FFvM50J6RwE
Better understand your organization’s RIM program by working through FNPSS’ online, self-guided RIM Assessment Toolkit. Visit https://fnps.ca/resources/#rimassessmenttoolkit to access the Toolkit.
The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite you to a 90-minute online webinar on salary surveys and how they can be used to help build community-specific salary structures.
Register here: http://ow.ly/Oga050IQmbw
FNPSS invites all current and aspiring First Nations Administrators and Elected Leaders to join a 90-minute Fireside Chat with Joe Bevan, former Chief and Councillor with Kitselas First Nation. Joe is Nisga’a/Tshimshian and a member of the Kitselas First Nation. He currently works as a Senior Consultant at Humanity Financial Management in Vancouver.
Register now: ow.ly/pQOo50JekjG
You can catch up on our latest Webinar Wednesday: Using Salary Surveys to Build Salary Structures in Community!
Watch here: ow.ly/kZSG50J7PjT
Did you miss our Fireside Chat with Ernest Armann?
Catch up here: ow.ly/KHcs50J6RuN
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Better understand your organization’s RIM program by working through FNPSS’ online, self-guided RIM Assessment Toolkit. Visit fnps.ca/resources/#rimassessmenttoolkit to access the Toolkit. Questions? Contact info@fnps.ca.
The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite you to a 90-minute online webinar on salary surveys and how they can be used to help build community-specific salary structures. Speakers include Teresa Mullen (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), Cathy Murphy (Fort Nelson First Nation), and Wendy Ham (AFOA BC).
Register here: ow.ly/S6G550IQm9w