Forward Summit: Building strength from diversity
On stage at the Forward Summit West Coast, Myan Marcen-Gaudaur, director of social impact and reconciliation at Scotiabank; Jeremy Thompson, president of Eagle Spirit Business Development; John Blanchette, Indigenous engagement advisor at Enbridge; and Nadine Israel, Indigenous relations specialist and Indigenous awareness facilitator at B.C. Hydro; and Shannon Pestun, senior advisor, business & finance, WEKH; participate in a panel discussion.
From Oct. 22 to 23, 2024, the Forward Summit West Coast took place in Vancouver, B.C.. More than 500 people attended the summit, which brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous business and community leaders to chart a new course into the future of leadership and innovation. The Forward Summit is one of the leading economic reconciliation events in the country and aims to advance economic reconciliation and Call to Action #92 (external link) . At the summit, attendees participated in panel and roundtable discussions, which focused on advancing relationships between community and industry, as well as economic opportunities in many sectors.
In 2024, The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, in partnership with the Diversity Institute and Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, published Skills for Inclusive Workplaces and the Advancement of Indigenous Peoples (external link) . This report investigated the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in leadership positions to understand the barriers and enablers that have shaped their pathways and the impact of diversity in the workplace. Drawing from findings of the research, Shannnon Pestun, senior advisor from the Diversity Institute’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), moderated a panel discussion titled, “Building strength from diversity: Indigenous inclusion in the workplace.” During the panel, speakers shared their personal and professional views on how to unlock the value of Indigenous leadership through best practices for creating sustainable and meaningful relationships with Indigenous leaders.
Panelists included Myan Marcen-Gaudaur, director of social impact and reconciliation at Scotiabank; Jeremy Thompson, president of Eagle Spirit Business Development; John Blanchette, Indigenous engagement advisor at Enbridge; and Nadine Israel, Indigenous relations specialist and Indigenous awareness facilitator at B.C. Hydro.
The discussions were insightful and provoked reflection. “In many ways, corporate Canada and Indigenous leadership values are not aligned,” said Pestun. “Indigenous leaders often feel forced to alter their leadership styles and forgo Indigenous ways of knowing to assimilate into these corporate values. This misalignment will continue to impact the representation of Indigenous peoples in leadership positions.”
Indigenous women in leadership panel
Pestun also participated in an Indigenous Women in Leadership panel at Forward Summit. Indigenous women have played a crucial role in shaping their communities and contributing to the broader economic landscape. Their resilience, wisdom and unique perspectives bring valuable insights to various sectors.
The panel brought the voices of inspirational Indigenous women who have made significant contributions to the economic landscape. Under the encouraging moderation of Vanessa Lesperance, co-founder, Decolonize and Rize, panelists shared the personal and professional challenges they’ve faced and explored actionable steps to support the economic and social development of Indigenous women.
(Left to right) Teara Fraser, lead executive officer and founder of Iskwew Air; Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation; Geena Jackson, founder & president of Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc. Shíshálh; Vanessa Lesperance, co-founder of Decolonize and Rize; and Shannon Pestun, senior advisor, business and finance, WEKH, at the Forward Summit.
Teara Fraser, the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline, Iskwew Air, discussed the challenges of being an Indigenous woman in a man-dominated industry and the additional challenges that came with starting an airline company prior to the pandemic.
Geena Jackson, the creator and host of the Bears Lair TV show on APTN, which supports Indigenous entrepreneurs on a national scale, discussed the importance of encouraging Indigenous youth in entrepreneurship and how Bear’s Lair is transforming Indigenous economic development.
“Indigenous women have always been matriarchs that hold communities together. We are knowledge keepers, cultural, advisors, psychologists, sisters, mothers, aunties, grandmothers, negotiators and peacemakers,” said Jackson. “We represent the matriarchs before us and take the teachings that are going to influence the next seven generations of matriarchs,” she added. “Together, we are unstoppable as long as we support each other, hold each other up, and honour each other’s strengths and values to not only our own communities, but for all of the young Indigenous women that are impressionable watching us right now. It is how we treat each other with respect that we all succeed and make this world a better place.”
Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Crystal Smith shared her experiences, discussing the pressure of making hard decisions to benefit her nation and the importance of standing in your values. Pestun shared how her accidental path to entrepreneurship inspired her to break barriers for other Indigenous entrepreneurs. While each of the panelists shared their different paths, they also spoke to a shared vision to create a better future for the next seven generations.
“Each of the women kept it real on this panel, and it clearly resonated with the audience based on the standing ovation received. There was vulnerability, frankness, laughter and tears. I believe our society is craving realness and connection with one another—which is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being,” said Lesperance.
“When we start to decolonize places and spaces, it opens the door to bring our holistic selves to whatever we do, including in business. I also believe Indigenous women are taking their rightful places as matriarchs, offering their leadership at home, in community and at work. When we see Indigenous women rise—like the four women on this panel—it lets me know we’re on the right track to restoring balance and right relations in the world, which will ultimately benefit everyone,” Lesperance said.
