The event opens with a traditional territory acknowledgment by Florence Dick of the Songhees Nation, grounding the conversation in Indigenous cultural and environmental connections, honoring the land that supports all economic activity. 

Carol Anne Hilton shares the concept of Life at the Centre, and what it means for the future of Economic Indigenous Prosperity 

How can the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and the best of western science and modern technology come together in Ethical Space to solve the complex problems facing our world today? And how can this synergy of world views ensure that we do not just sustain life on Earth, but that we create economies of abundance? In this keynote address, Eli Enns will overview how we got to where we are today in Canada, and point to opportunities to amplify our collective impact globally in the spirit and practice of “We Rise Together”.

This workshop empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs to weave their wounds into wisdom and transmute their pain into power in order to break generational cycles and reclaim ancestral wisdom. Using tools like NLP, EFT, and ancestral healing, participants will overcome old narratives holding them back, gain confidence, and tap into their innate gifts. The focus is on building successful, sustainable businesses that honour their lineage while creating a lasting legacy for future generations; blending modern strategies with traditional knowledge to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Join us to explore Shawish Market, a Indigenize custom platform designed to empower Indigenous artists by eliminating traditional e-commerce barriers. Unlike platforms like Etsy, Shawish does not charge vendor fees, supporting sustainable growth and economic freedom for Indigenous communities. This presentation will delve into how Shawish is actively decolonizing the digital space, challenging entrenched power dynamics, and fostering an equitable marketplace. Discover our journey to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Digital Sustainability refers to the practice of designing, developing and utilizing digital technology to support the health of the Environment, Society and economies (Governance). Indigenous Reconciliation as outlined by Truth & Reconciliation Action 92 is the process of establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Nations and Digital corporations. With accelerating digital emissions, (GHG), due to rapid uptake of AI solutions and data farm expansions, coupled with critical need for acceleration of Indigenous engagement and participation in the digital economy, is there an opportunity to bridge Digital Sustainability and Indigenous Reconciliation through Indigenous Nation and Digital company joint initiatives.

TBD

Elders accessing their digital heritage data to create products for interactive digital exhibits sharing apps for shopping experiences at Nachine Commons urban reserve.

This talk explores the alignment of educational curricula with the economic and cultural aspirations of Indigenous communities. Beginning with the historical context of exclusion through policies like the Indian Act and residential schools, it examines the impacts of systemic barriers on Indigenous economic participation. We then discuss truth and reclamation as part of an active approach to reconciliation, highlighting how Nations are reclaiming control over land, education, governance, and economic development. By integrating Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and values into curricula, we aim to empower communities and move closer to a $100 billion Indigenous economy.

In her upcoming presentation, Indigenous Food Sovereignty as a Catalyst for Economic Development, Veronica Santa Fe will explore how centering Indigenous values and food sovereignty can redefine economic growth in Indigenous territories. Drawing from her roots as a Kichwa Pansaleo and Mestizo Campesino woman from Cotopaxi, Ecuador, she will share how food sovereignty enables communities to reclaim agency, prioritize cultural values, and build sustainable futures. Through examples like the traditional La Yumbada celebration of regional food exchange and the chakra agroforestry system in the Amazon, she will emphasize the deep connection between food, land, and identity.

Join hosts Carol Anne Hilton and Jonathan Fleury to explore the question: What does a World Indigenous Economic Forum need to become? We encourage all participants to engage with their questions and ideas to share. 

In the session, Beyond the Bottom Line: The Journey of Thriving Indigenous Businesses, attendees will gain insights into the dynamic world of Indigenous entrepreneurship. Through the stories of two trailblazing entrepreneurs—Inez Cook, owner of Salmon and Bannock, and Chef T. Mackey, founder of Raven Rising—this session will highlight the resilience, cultural richness, and modern strategies that drive Indigenous businesses. Participants will learn how these entrepreneurs integrate traditional values into their operations, preserving cultural heritage while achieving remarkable economic success.

The session will also explore Indigenous leadership principles, such as altruism, relationship-building, and guardianship, offering a unique perspective on sustainable business practices. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper appreciation for the role of Indigenous businesses in fostering community empowerment, preserving cultural integrity, and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse economy.

The story of an indigenous mother who finds herself on a journey through the medical and scientific fields to heal her sick children. Penny dreamed of having a loving family to call her own and her dreams were realized by the birth of her daughters Taylor and Brooklyn. Her dreams turned to nightmares, as both her daughters struggled with colic, allergies, asthma, anxiety, seizures and depression. When traditional medicine failed to offer hope, Penny turned to nature for help. Armed with a gut instinct about a substance called bloom, she pioneered a decade plus journey to have it scientifically validated.

Decolonizing business is sustainable, regenerative and takes into account the next seven generations. By reflecting on tools and perspectives rooted in Indigenous worldviews, we offer ideas on ways to decolonize the workplace – which benefits ALL people. Thought provoking and practical, participants will walk away with tangible ideas that people can do within all levels of the organization and have a clearer understanding of Indigenous worldviews.

This panel explored the intersection of Indigenous values, land-based worldviews, and contemporary economic practices. Members of Pueblos Originarios and Mestizos Campesinos from Ecuador shared insights into their land-based economic models, highlighting the importance of community, reciprocity, and environmental sustainability.

South African Vegan People Of Colour (SAVPOC) is a response to the current and past social, environmental, and economic injustices against local, and global Indigenous peoples, and the global majority. This presentation will explore //Hui!Gaeb (Cape Town) mobilizations, systems transformation and innovative approaches, the rise of Indigenous entrepreneurship; all my relations- the unifying force of economy, and life that serves as a foundation for building business models for future generations who honour cultural, and productive diversity from the margins in //Hui!Gaeb (Cape Town), South Africa.

"Leader-Lit-Ness" invites exploration of The Trilogy Game, where Indigenous Peoples navigate the dual micro/macro realities of Indigenous and Western systems. This game-like trilogy focuses on leadership, politics and business by examining internal and external factors of success and failure. It emphasizes integrating traditional community practices, governance, laws, and customs into negotiations, partnerships, decision-making within Indigenous leadership, governance and business models to ensure mutual trust, respect for the 7 generations and beyond.

Investing in Indigenous youth towards cultural revitalization. Duel educational programs combining traditional knowledge with modern skills to inspire students own unique gifts, talents and abilities to be the change.

Emphasizing a proactive game-like-mindset that blends community centric traditional cultural protocols with modern techniques that prepares Indigenous youth and leaders for success in both Indigenous and Western worlds.

Coming soon

In this meditative reading, you will uncover just how sacred and precious you must be if all of your actions matter and have multigenerational consequences.

Northern Indigenous Economic Empowerment and how 14 Yukon First Nations are using the power of unity in achieving economic sovereignty.

This presentation will review the current consultation regimes in Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan, and contrast them to paint a picture of the end goals of each regime, and how different desired outcomes leads to consultation taking place in a variety of ways.

This talk will delve into the distinct Indigenous dynamics in Latin America, where race, identity, and heritage are understood in ways that contrast sharply with those on Turtle Island. This session will also emphasize the importance of recognizing UNDRIP’s relevance beyond borders, asking how Indigenous identity, rights, and sovereignty can be expanded within frameworks that include everyone—immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+ folk, and people with disabilities. 

"We are all UNDRIP people"

In this talk, Strassmann advocates for greater institutional accountability, supporting Indigenous mobility and identity across modern policies in immigration, education, and economic inclusion. Discover how we can honor these complex identities and take steps toward true decolonization for all Indigenous peoples.

At DWF we're creating a "music, cultural heritage, historical and educational AI & Ancestral Lineage preservation plan” to help Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous, Island, Tribal & Coastal nations and other communities in conjunction with our “Hall of Fame” musicians & artists preserve their own music, share their history, tell their stories, document their origins, traditions and way of life in their own voice within the Metaverse...for future generations to learn from.

Take part in a Full Moon Circle. When human beings fall out of synch with the natural cycles of life, we tend to create unnatural conditions in our lives. When Grandmother Moon calls us back to honour her rhythms, how do we know what to do? Andrea Menard will offer a few shifts in perspective and practice.

This presentation explores the role of self-efficacy in the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs. By investigating the psychological factors influencing Indigenous entrepreneurial endeavors, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can inform the development of targeted support mechanisms and policies. The goal is to strengthen the Indigenous entrepreneurial ecosystem by understanding and enhancing the self-belief and confidence that drive entrepreneurial success.

The presentation touches on the Indigenous landscape in the Republic of South Africa, as an introduction. It then moves to actions taken by Indigenous Peoples to initiate the reestablishment of the local Indigenous Economy. It then ends with where the movement is currently at, and the objectives we are aiming towards.

This is all from the viewpoint of the work The Khoeporation drives, both locally and internationally.

In this presentation, Jay Lambert shares his personal journey of overcoming burnout and transforming adversity into resilience, offering practical insights for leaders to foster well-being and sustainable growth. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and values, Jay provides actionable strategies for preventing burnout, building resilience, and leading with compassion. His talk emphasizes the importance of systems transformation, upholding traditional values, and creating regenerative, sustainable Indigenous businesses that contribute to thriving communities.

The **Kuza Dancers** are a vibrant and dedicated group of young Tanzanian performers committed to preserving and celebrating traditional Tanzanian dances. Based near Jambiani, Tanzania, they are affiliated with the Kuza Cave Culture Centre, where they regularly showcase their cultural heritage through captivating performances. These dancers, mostly young men and women, have come together to learn, share, and keep alive the ancient rhythms and movements that tell the stories of their ancestors.

Their dances often focus on themes central to Tanzanian life, especially the joy and communal spirit of harvesting. These performances are not just entertainment but serve as a symbolic tribute to the hard work and shared experiences in rural Tanzanian communities, where the harvest season is a time of unity and celebration. Using traditional drums, known as *ngoma*, the Kuza Dancers create rhythmic beats that resonate with the heart of Swahili culture, filling the air with energy that brings their stories to life.

The Kuza Dancers are more than a performance group; they are a community. Each member supports and learns from one another, fostering a strong sense of family and pride. Through their dedication, they are ensuring that traditional Tanzanian dances are not forgotten but instead passed down to future generations, inspiring local and international audiences with their passion for cultural preservation.

The secret behind the survival of indigenous indigenous people have been there ancestral practices, cultural heritage, connecting with nature through indigenous systems honorations such as, their traditional meal, traditional regalias, the indigenous farming systems, spaces for sharing indigenous wisdom from elders to the youths, right of passage leadership where knowledge is shared from wisdom keepers to the younger generation,sustainable ways of living in the indigenous and modern world, indigenous healing methods and values such as herbs for medicinals purposes, craft , and arts for sustainable living as a means of self employment . storing information through ancestral crafts.

This session presents the MIMIW SAKAHIKAN KAKIYAW MAMAWOKAMATOWIN KANANWEYTAMOWIN NIPIY ekwa KINOSAWAK project, a collaborative initiative by the Samson Cree Nation focused on the restoration and protection of Pigeon Lake’s aquatic habitat. The project, whose name translates to "Pigeon Lake working together in collaboration for fish and water," highlights the merging of traditional Nehiyaw knowledge with Western science to address environmental challenges. Funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, it brings the community together through land camps, elder-led guidance, and training programs that foster skills in water sampling, fish monitoring, and shoreline restoration.

Money has been used as a tool of power, to continue the oppression of Indigenous peoples. Helen Bobiwash will share her perspective about money formed from working with First Nations for almost 30 years. She will compare and contrast how money is used in colonial and Indigenous societies. She will share strategies that she has learned in her experience working with First Nations about using Indigineous culture and practices in the use of money.

This presentation explores how Nationsfirst is using blockchain technology to drive Indigenous economic sovereignty. By leveraging blockchain and DAOs, Nationsfirst empowers Indigenous communities to reclaim control over their financial systems, creating secure and autonomous economic infrastructures. The session highlights key offerings like secure custody digital wallets for unbanked users, showcasing how these innovations foster wealth creation, financial inclusion, and long-term resilience.

Join Carol Anne Hilton who will provide closing statements wrapping the inaugural Indigenomics NOW 2024 and sharing what is next for the Global Centre of Indigenomics.