On behalf of Indigenous Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors and Staff,  we would like to thank everyone who joined us on April 20th, 2023 for our annual Gala we've held since 2019.   

​We are truly blown away by the overwhelming support from our guests, the vendors, our speakers, the live entertainers, our sponsors and thank you to the RBC Convention Centre for sharing their space.  What we made happen could not have been done without all of your support.  It exceeded our expectations and we hope you enjoyed your time with us!   We can't wait to see your faces again...
           Until then,  enjoy some of the photos and highlights of the full day and evening below!


​ICC PRESENTS:  MOON NAASAAYII GALA & CONFERENCE 2023

When?

Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Where?

RBC Convention Centre (Southeast & East Concourse)
375 York Ave,  Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA 
R3C 3J3

Moon Naasaayii (partner)Agenda

Conference & Symposium
​11 AM: Registration Opens, Symposium Begins
12 PM: Lunch
1 - 2:15PM: Conference session Part 1
2:15 - 2:45PM: Coffee Break
2:45 - 4:00PM: Conference session Part 2
5PM: Symposium Concludes

Gala (doors officially open at 5PM)
4 - 5:30PM: VIP Reception
6PM: Dinner
6:30 - 7:00PM:  Keynote Speaker (Niigaan Sinclair)
7:00 - 7:30 PM: Fireside Chat (Dennis Meeches & Peter Lee)
7:30 - 10PM: Entertainment ( Martin Desjarlais)

Conference Line Up

Special Message (Lunch)
​From Whelan Sutherland



​Chief Executive Officer of Treaty One Development Corporation Whelan is a proud member of Peguis First Nation; who has played a lead role in a wide variety of Indigenous business ventures over the past 15 years, as a CEO, manager and entrepreneur.

Dennis Meeches



Former Chief of Long Plain First Nation and current Chair of Tribal Councils Investment Group Dennis Meeches, a driving force in Indigenous economic development.  Dennis will be sharing his experience with Long Plain First Nation, Treaty 1 Nation and Tribal Council Investment  Group.

Lisa Meeches​


​Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the television and film industry and is Anishinaabe from Long Plain First Nation, Sandy Bay First Nation, and Ebb and Flow First Nation.
Lisa will be talking about her experience with Eagle Vision and the various joint projects they have been involved with.

Bava Dhillon  



​Owner of SABE Wellness Pharmacy in winnipeg and is part-owner and Vice President of Dhillon Automotive Group, the first Treaty Owned Dealership in Canada. Bava has an extensive network in Manitoba, whether it be business or cultural connections, and even reaches the political industry. He is an experienced professional, with strong beliefs in diversity and culture. Bava is Cree and East Indian, his Indigenous roots firmly planted in Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, MB and his East Indian heritage nurtured through Bhangra dance for a number of years with Winnipeg's Folklorama Festival. 

Robert Wavey





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​Robert Wavey, over the course of some 50 years, he has held positions in leadership, in senior management, as a negotiator, and in advisory roles. Robert will be sharing his experience with the Sodexo project and Fox Cree First Nation.

Gala Line Up

GALA Emcee
Kathleen Bluesky


has an MBA and has worked over 20 years in the Indigenous government sector with a focus on consultation, engagement, and community development. She has spent much of her career working with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Nanaandawewigamig with a focus on Indigenous healing and restoring Nationhood. Kathleen is currently the CEO of her own company, Seven Feathers Consulting which is focused on empowering First Nation self-determination and Indigenous Sovereignty.

Key Note Speaker
​Niigaan Sinclair

​Economic Reconciliation refers to the economic redress of historical injustices to Indigenous Peoples. Have you wondered what that means? Great!  ​Niigaan Sinclair will share perspectives & ideas.

Niigaan is an Anishinaabe writer, editor, and activist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sinclair is also a public speaker and media commentator who was recently named to the “Power List” by Maclean’s magazine as one of the most influential individuals in Canada.



​Moderator
Melissa Ridgen



​A proud Red River Métis, Melissa Ridgen is a renowned journalist who has spent more than 24 years covering crime, courts, politics, business and entertainment for newspapers in four provinces.

Dennis Meeches
President of Tribal Councils
​Investment Group​


Fire Side Chat

Dennis and Peter will be sharing their experience in partnering in the development of the Wyndham Hotel and their joint partnership.

​Peter Lee
Vice President, Development Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Canada

Entertainment 



​MARTIN DESJARLAIS

Martin Desjarlais is a proud Metis man from Manitoba. Martin is a talented drummer, guitarist and vocalist. A fan of classic country music,  won first place at the long running Westbrook Inn “Star Search” talent competition in 2009. Martin has gone on to enter multiple talent competitions and has been showcased in numerous other events including the 2012 NCI Jam, 2020 Festival du Voyageur, Manitoba Metis Federation's The Beat Goes On live concert series, Manitoba Arts Network/Indigenous Music Partnership residency, the 2020 "Indigenous Emerging Artists Mentorship Intensive”, Indigenous Music’s Talking Stick Video Series, as well as the upcoming 2023 Dauphin Countryfest. Desjarlais is now stepping into the world of writing his own music and will release his first single in 2023.
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We have put together vendor and sponsorship packages that are easily downloadable PDF files. To find out more you are welcome to review, download and share if you think you or someone you know may be interested.
You can contact our sponsorship coordinator Shay directly at sponsorships@indigenouschambermb.ca to participate and support us!
Vendor Package
File Size: 2448 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Gala Sponsorship Package
File Size: 3619 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Meegwetch to our Sponsors

CHAMBER SPONSOR

DINNER SPONSOR

VIP SPONSOR

CONFERENCE SPONSOR

SYMPOSIUSM SPONSOR

WINE SPONSOR

LUNCH SPONSOR

DESSERT SPONSOR

SUPPORTERS