Tuesday, October 27 – Forum Day 1
RBC Convention Centre | Ozhaawashko-Giizhig (Hall C)
8am – Doors Open
9am – OPENING REMARKS
Introductions – Masters of Ceremony
Rob Campbell | National Director, Indigenous Services, MNP, Canada
Jessica Dumas | Professional Speaker, Coach, Emcee, Canada
WIBF Ambassador Acknowledgements
Rachel Petero | Founder & CEO, Rise, New Zealand
Chief Robert Louie | Chief, Westbank First Nation, Canada
Hans Bokelund | Associate Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Economic Development, Victoria State Government, Australia
Andrés Antivil Álvarez | President, Indigenous Enterprises Foundation, Chile
Nick Jardine | Entrepreneur, Brisbane, Australia
Welcome Remarks
Premier Hon. Wab Kinew (Invited) | Premier of Manitoba, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, International Relations, and Indigenous Reconciliation, Canada
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Advancement of Indigenous Natural Language Processing and AI
Peter-Lucas Jones | CEO, Te Hiku Media, New Zealand
10:20am – MORNING NETWORKING BREAK
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Nation Building Through Economic Leadership – Canadian Best Practices
Moderator: Tracy Antoine | National Advisor, Royal Bank of Canada
Don Ross | CEO, George Gordon Developments Ltd, Saskatchewan
Jaimie Lickers | Senior Vice President, Indigenous Markets, CIBC
Shaun Soonias | Vice President, Indigenous Relations, FFC
Chief Gordon Bluesky | Chief, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Manitoba
12PM – LUNCH NETWORKING BREAK
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: The Indigenous Economy – Indigenous Women Leading Prosperity for People, Place and Future Generations
Moderator: Rachel Petero | Founder & CEO, Rise Global, New Zealand
Kristal Kinsela | Owner & Director, Kristal Kinsela Consulting, Australia
Michelle Cameron | CEO, Dreamcatcher Promotions, Canada
Additional Speakers TBA
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
TOPIC: The (R)evolution of Indigenous Foodways
Chef Sean Sherman | Founder, The Sioux Chef, Founder & Director, NATIFS, USA
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: From Service Delivery to Indigenous Led Systems Building Generational Wellbeing and Prosperity on Country
Presented by: Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID), Australia
Moderator: Erica Lambert | Chief Officer, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, CQID
Jason Field | Chief Executive Officer, CQID
Kylie Major-Oakley | General Manager, Woorabinda, CQID
Antonio Mann | Youth Mentor, Staying on Track Program, CQID
2:30PM – AFTERNOON NETWORKING BREAK
GUIDED MOVEMENT EXERCISE
Cody Gonsalves | Founder & Head Coach, Purposeful Movements, Canada
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Indigenising Global Trade Platforms
Ambassador Justin Mohamed | Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on behalf of Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement, Australia
4:30PM – RECAP & ADJOURNMENT
WIBF 2026 GALA Presented by Dreamcatcher Promotions
Join us for the 2026 WIBF Gala, part of the World Indigenous Business Forum 2026 and presented by Dreamcatcher Promotions.
This special evening will bring together leaders, delegates, business professionals, community members, and supporters for dining, cultural performances, live entertainment, and networking at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
Designed to connect, share, and inspire, the 2026 WIBF Gala celebrates Indigenous culture, business, leadership, and community in a welcoming and memorable setting.
Please note: This is a separate ticketed event and is not included in WIBF 2026 registration. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Wednesday, October 28 – Forum Day 2
RBC Convention Centre | Ozhaawashko-Giizhig (Hall C)
8am – Doors Open
9am – WELCOME REMARKS & RECAP
Masters of Ceremony
Rob Campbell | National Director, Indigenous Services, MNP, Canada
Jessica Dumas | Professional Speaker, Coach, Emcee, Canada
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Growing Indigenous Tourism in Manitoba: Honouring History and Leadership
Moderator: Darcie Guarderas | Founder, Tansi Solutions, Canada
Holly Spence | President & CEO, Indigenous Tourism Manitoba, Canada
Lisa Meeches | Executive Director, Manito Ahbee Festival, Canada
Christine Bell | General Manager, Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport, Canada
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Restoring Dignity to Food Deserts
Pastor DeWayne McCoy | Founder, The After Market, USA
10:20am – MORNING NETWORKING BREAK
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Indigenous International Trade and Environmental Law
Presented by: International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO)
Moderator: Wayne Garnons -Williams, LL.B. | CEO, National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada
Dr. James Collard, Ph.D., CITP | Founder, Collard and Associate Trade Consulting
Valerie Devol | Attorney, Devol & Associates Law Firm
Carrie Stoddard Smith | Independent Advisor, Indigenous and International Policy Rights and Governance
12PM – LUNCH NETWORKING BREAK
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Topic: Global Indigenous Partnerships for Economic Development and Raising Capital
Luis Felipe Duchicela | Global Senior Advisor on Indigenous Peoples’ Right and Development, Ecuador
PANEL PRESENTATION
TOPIC: Dream. Build. Lead: Stories of Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship
LeLarnie Hatfield | Nullu Badi Ngudyubay Academy, CQID, Australia
Speakers from Canada, USA, Chile (TBA)
2:30PM – AFTERNOON NETWORKING BREAK
BREATHWORK EXERCISE
Cody Gonsalves | Founder & Head Coach, Purposeful Movements, Canada
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
TOPIC: From Humble Beginnings to the World Stage: A Journey Through Story and Song
William Prince | Singer-Songwriter, Canada
PANEL PRESENTATION
Presented By: World Indigenous Business Network
Closing Remarks – Masters of Ceremony
Rob Campbell | National Director, Indigenous Services, MNP, Canada
Jessica Dumas | Professional Speaker, Coach, Emcee, Canada