The 2025 Atlantic Indigenous Procurement Connector

The Procurement Connector is a new event scheduled for early 2025 that brings together Indigenous entrepreneurs, Indigenous economic development organizations, industry, and federal and Indigenous government resources. The two-day event will focus on establishing and strengthening connections among these groups to build Indigenous entrepreneurial capacity in Atlantic Canada by:

• Inspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses to contract with the Government through storytelling of successes of those who have utilized procurement opportunities to start or grow a business,

• Empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by delivering key information about the procurement landscape and how to navigate it,

• Providing a platform that supports linking existing entrepreneurial capacity to private-sector suppliers and the Government who are seeking Indigenous participation,

• Collecting feedback and engaging the entrepreneurs in discussion surrounding the barriers that are preventing them from participating,

• Delivering information and tools that build capacity for Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities

Attendees:

• Indigenous entrepreneurs from across the Atlantic region

• Indigenous Economic Development Organizations

• Private sector suppliers

• Atlantic-based Economic Development Officers (EDOs)

• Representation from relevant federal and Indigenous governments

Agenda will include:

Panel discussions:

• Sharing successes from Indigenous entrepreneurs

• Navigating the Procurement Landsccape (Pathways to Supports)

• Indigenous Ec. Dev. supports and opportunities

• Working with industry & opportunites on the horizon (major projects & how to participate)

Networking Opportunities:

• Networking

• Tradeshow

Engagement/Feedback Roundtables and Facilitated Sessions:

• Gathering feedback from entreprenurs and event participants

• Supports that encourage IBD registration 

To download this as a calendar, head to our JEDI Events Calendar : 2025 Atlantic Indigenous Procurement Connector — Joint Economic Development Initiative

Day 1 - february 4, 2025

8:00 am - 9:00 am Arrival & Check-In

9:00 am - 10:00 am Official Welcome & Atlantic Indigenous Development Initiative Introduction

10:00 am - 11:00 am Panel 1: “Opportunities / Project Pipeline / Pathways to Participation”

11:00 am - 11:30 am Networking Break / Tradeshow

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Panel 2: “Participation Reflections: Indigenous Entrepreneurs & Procurement”

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch & Networking

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Keynote Speaker: Kendall Netmaker

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Networking Break / Tradeshow

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Panel 3: “Pathways to Growth - Opportunities for Indigenous Entrepreneurs to Access Capital”

4:00 pm - 4:15 pm Bridge to Day 2 & Closing

Day 2 - February 5, 2025

8:30 am - 9:00 am Arrival & Check-In

9:00 am - 9:30 am Welcome Back & Day 1 Recap

9:30 am - 10:30 am Panel 4: “Supporting Success - Helping You Navigate the Procurement System”

10:30 am - 11:00 am Networking Break / Tradeshow / Tradeshow slot 3

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Panel 5: “The Future of Indigenous Business”

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Networking Lunch and Tradeshow

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Concurrent Sessions 1 / IPP Toolkit / Navigating & Improving Visibility on Government Resources

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Networking Break / Tradeshow / Tradeshow slot 5

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Concurrent Sessions 2 / Technical Writing Opportunities in Small Nuclear reactor (SMR) Supply Chain

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Next Steps, Closing & Adjournment

Organizing Partners