Workshops & Conferences
Inspiring Connections. Practical Tools.
"I just wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to the NEDC team for the amazing opportunity to attend the IYE Workshop in Tofino. It was such an inspiring and empowering experience to be surrounded by like-minded peers who, like me, are eager to learn more about entrepreneurship. The supportive environment made it easy for us to connect, exchange ideas, and even explore potential collaborations. Thank you again for making this possible and for all the work you do to support Indigenous entrepreneurs. I'm feeling more motivated than ever and grateful to be part of this community." - Nikki Robertson
Upcoming Events
Join us for hands-on workshops and conferences designed to empower Indigenous business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn from Indigenous business experts about entrepreneurship, business planning, financing options, and more—all in a supportive, community-driven environment.
September
14sep(sep 14)3:00 pm16(sep 16)12:00 pmSeeds to SovereigntyBC Indigenous Cannabis Conference
Event Details
Seeds to Sovereignty: BC Indigenous Cannabis Conference Empowering Indigenous Leadership in Cannabis Join us at Seeds to Sovereignty — a powerful exploration of the past, present, and future of Indigenous cannabis
Event Details
Seeds to Sovereignty: BC Indigenous Cannabis Conference
Empowering Indigenous Leadership in Cannabis
Join us at Seeds to Sovereignty — a powerful exploration of the past, present, and future of Indigenous cannabis entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and community innovation.
Co-hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) and the New Relationship Trust (NRT), this unique event brings together Indigenous leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, and community advocates for three powerful days of learning, networking, and collaboration.
What to Expect:
- Thought-Provoking Presentations & Panels
Engage with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and changemakers as they share insights on cannabis policy, sustainable business practices, and pathways to sovereignty. - Cannabis Farm Tours
Experience local cannabis operations up close and learn about sustainable cultivation practices through guided farm tours with round-trip transportation provided. - Networking Opportunities
Build meaningful connections with Indigenous entrepreneurs, allies, and leaders driving change across BC and beyond.
Keynote Speaker: Manjit Minhas
We are thrilled to welcome Manjit Minhas, renowned entrepreneur and star of Dragon’s Den, as our keynote speaker. From a $10,000 startup to a global empire of 90+ brands, Manjit’s story is a testament to bold vision and entrepreneurial resilience.
Conference Details:
Dates: September 14|16, 2025
Location: Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo
General Registration: $499
(Includes 2 nights’ accommodation, all meals, speaker sessions, workshops, and farm tour transportation.)
Free for Indigenous participants and representatives!
Be Part of the Movement
Seeds to Sovereignty is more than a conference — it’s a collaborative space to uplift Indigenous voices, foster economic development, and build a shared vision for the future of cannabis in our communities.
Stay Connected
📧 Email: mary@nedc.info
📞 Phone: 250-735-8871
Time
September 14, 2025 3:00 pm - September 16, 2025 12:00 pm(GMT-07:00)
Organizer
Coast Bastion Hotel | Nanaimo, BC
Speakers for this event
-
Alannah Davis
CEO
Dabble Cannabis
-
Albert Eppinga
Founder
BC CANN
-
Dr. Michelle Corfield
Founder
BC CANN
-
Heber Eppinga
Operations Specialist
BC CANN
-
Manjit Minhas
Keynote
Previous Events
Here are the events we've held in the past year
November 2024
07nov9:00 am3:00 pmGovernance Workshop
Event Details
A citizen of the Navajo Nation, Dr. Manley Begay Jr’s major specialization lies at the heart of issues pertaining to
Event Details
A citizen of the Navajo Nation, Dr. Manley Begay Jr’s major specialization lies at the heart of issues pertaining to Indigenous Nation-Building: Sovereignty, Governance, Culture, Leadership, Education, and Economic Development.
Professor Begay is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the primary planners and designers of the now-accepted theory of how Indigenous nations and communities build nations that work—Indigenous Nation-Building.
Time
November 7, 2024 9:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-08:00)
Location
Tigh-na-mara Resort
1155 Resort Dr
800-663-7373
Organizer
Speakers for this event
-
Dr. Manley Begay
Schedule
- November 7, 2024
- 9:00Opening and Prayer9:00 - 9:15
- 9:15Session 1: Overview of Indigenous Nation-Building Renaissance: Keys to Success9:15 - 9:45
- Most First Nations are poor—but not all of them are. Why are some First Nations more successful than others?
- Key findings and conclusions of recent research
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 9:45Session 2: Twenty-five Years from Now…9:45 - 10:15
- What kind of nation or community do you hope to have?
- What gets in the way?
- What assets or strengths does your Nation have that can help meet those challenges?
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 10:15Break10:15 - 10:30
- 10:30Session 3: Making First Nation Economies Work, Part 1 – Community-Owned Enterprises10:30 - 11:15
- Making community-owned enterprises successful
- The importance of good structures and processes
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 11:15Session 4: Case Study: Building Community-Owned Enterprises at Osoyoos11:15 - 12:00
- How they became successful
- Organizing, organizing, organizing
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 12:00Lunch12:00 - 13:00
- 13:00Session 5: Making First Nation Economies Work, Part 2 – Citizen Entrepreneurship13:00 - 13:45
- The role of citizen entrepreneurship in economic strategy and Nation Building
- What First Nations can do to support citizen entrepreneurs
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 13:45Break13:45 - 14:00
- 14:00Session 6: Changing Paths: How Do You Move from the Standard Approach to Nation-Building?14:00 - 14:45
- Which approach to economic and community development are you currently pursuing?
- Planning how to move from the Standard Approach to the Nation-Building approach
SpeakersDr. Manley Begay - 14:45Wrap-up and Closing Prayer14:45 - 15:00
March 2025
Event Details
Calling all Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Victoria!Join us for a transformative 2-day workshop created to help you elevate your business. Whether you’re just starting to
Event Details
Calling all Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Victoria!
Join us for a transformative 2-day workshop created to help you elevate your business. Whether you’re just starting to plan or looking for the tools to expand, these sessions are tailored to meet your needs.
Topics include:
Business Planning: this is essential no matter what stage of business you are in. A business plan explains your business and provides a roadmap of where your business is going – in business language of course! This session will cover the main sections of a business plan and business planning tips.
Marketing Basics: sounds like an oxymoron as there is nothing basic about marketing! Nonetheless, this workshop will cover basic marketing including strategies and techniques to promote products and services to potential customers.
Cash Flow: we’ve all heard the expression that cash is king! Well, it’s true. Every business owner knows that! Yet cash flow challenges are still a common reason that businesses get in trouble. Join us to learn how to avoid common pitfalls and how to better manage cash flowing through your business.
Budgeting: crucial for maintaining financial health and ensuring growth. This workshop will go over the basics of budgeting for a business. By establishing and sticking to a solid budget, businesses can ensure they remain profitable and grow sustainably.
Time
March 25, 2025 - March 26, 2025 (All Day)(GMT-07:00)
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Organizer
Victoria
463 Belleville StThe hotel Grand PacificVictoria
Speakers for this event
-
Caledonia Glendale
Trainer & Consultant
Inisa Consulting & Training Services
Event Details
Calling all Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs!Join us for a transformative 2-day workshop created to help you elevate your business. Whether you’re just starting to plan or
Event Details
Calling all Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs!
Join us for a transformative 2-day workshop created to help you elevate your business. Whether you’re just starting to plan or looking for the tools to expand, these sessions are tailored to meet your needs.
Topics include:
Business Planning: this is essential no matter what stage of business you are in. A business plan explains your business and provides a roadmap of where your business is going – in business language of course! This session will cover the main sections of a business plan and business planning tips.
Marketing Basics: sounds like an oxymoron as there is nothing basic about marketing! Nonetheless, this workshop will cover basic marketing including strategies and techniques to promote products and services to potential customers.
Cash Flow: we’ve all heard the expression that cash is king! Well, it’s true. Every business owner knows that! Yet cash flow challenges are still a common reason that businesses get in trouble. Join us to learn how to avoid common pitfalls and how to better manage cash flowing through your business.
Budgeting: crucial for maintaining financial health and ensuring growth. This workshop will go over the basics of budgeting for a business. By establishing and sticking to a solid budget, businesses can ensure they remain profitable and grow sustainably.
Time
March 27, 2025 - March 28, 2025 (All Day)(GMT-07:00)
RSVP to This Event
RSVPing is closed at this time.
Can not make it to this event?Change my RSVP
Organizer
Duncan
6474 Trans Canada HighwayBest Western Cowichan Valley InnDuncan
Speakers for this event
-
Caledonia Glendale
Trainer & Consultant
Inisa Consulting & Training Services
April 2025
23apr9:00 am12:00 pmAI Applications WorkshopMastering Everyday AI with Trevor Bruintjes
Event Details
Mastering Everyday AI with Trevor Bruintjes Event Description:Discover how to harness the power of artificial intelligence in your
Event Details
Mastering Everyday AI with Trevor Bruintjes
Event Description:
Discover how to harness the power of artificial intelligence in your personal life and business at this workshop led by AI strategist Trevor Bruintjes. Learn practical tools and strategies to save time, boost efficiency, and increase profitability.
What You’ll Learn
This session will give you practical, hands-on knowledge you can use immediately:
- What generative AI is and why it matters
- How to use prompts that get great results
- Real examples of AI tools in action (writing, images, planning, analysis, more)
- How to separate the hype from what actually helps
- Key do’s and don’ts when working with AI
- Simple steps to start using AI in your work or personal lifeA framework to “See it, Plan it, Use it” so AI becomes useful, not overwhelming
Who Should Attend
This is for anyone ready to move from curiosity to confidence with AI:
- New users who want a clear, jargon-free introduction to AI
- Busy professionals who want to save time and get more done
- Business owners or team leaders looking for practical ways to integrate AI
- Seasoned users who want to sharpen their prompting skills and use AI more strategically
- Anyone feeling left behind and ready to catch up, fast
Whether you’re brand new or already dabbling with AI, you’ll leave this session with clarity, direction, and tools you can use right away!
Time
April 23, 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-07:00)
Organizer
Speakers for this event
-
Trevor Bruintjes
AI Specialist & Business Consultant
Peaks and Valleys AI Strategies
June 2025
09junAll Day10IYE Tofino Workshop
Time
June 9, 2025 - June 10, 2025 (All Day)(GMT-07:00)
Tofino
Speakers for this event
-
Alissa Assu
Youth Workshop Facilitator
11junAll Day12IWE Tofino Workshop
Time
June 11, 2025 - June 12, 2025 (All Day)(GMT-07:00)
Tofino
Speakers for this event
-
Caledonia Glendale
Trainer & Consultant
Inisa Consulting & Training Services
Thriving Nations Conference
Join us to Share Ideas and Network