Indigenous Trailblazers Summit

10/09/2026

10/07/2026

What an extraordinary evening!

The Indigenous Trailblazers Hub extends our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped make our Fundraising Gala an inspiring and memorable success. The energy, generosity and shared sense of purpose throughout the evening were truly remarkable.

We offer our sincere gratitude to our Ceremonial Elder, Arnold Alexis, for joining us and generously sharing his wisdom, knowledge and songs. His presence helped ground the evening in culture, tradition and respect.

To our keynote speaker, Billy Morin, thank you for delivering a powerful and inspiring message rooted in leadership, experience and a strong vision for the future of Indigenous communities and economies.

To Nicole Baker for her opening Board of Directors welcoming.

We proudly recognize our sponsoring partners:

reVerb Communications Inc.
Graham
Inter Pipeline
MNP
Capital Power Power
Canco Petroleum

Your investment, commitment and belief in this Indigenous-led vision helped bring this important gathering to life. Your support demonstrates what is possible when strong, respectful relationships are built around shared values and a genuine commitment to advancing Indigenous leadership, economic opportunity and long-term prosperity.

To our outstanding performers, Jarrid lee and Celeigh Cardinal, thank you for sharing your incredible talents and creating an unforgettable atmosphere that energized and inspired everyone in attendance.

To our exceptional volunteers and every individual who contributed their time, knowledge, energy and support, this achievement belongs to all of you. Your dedication transformed a shared vision into an evening we will remember for years to come.

Thank you for standing alongside us as we honour Indigenous leadership, strengthen relationships and create meaningful opportunities for generations to come. 🦅

10/07/2026

The Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala was a tremendous success, and we are truly humbled by the outstanding support shown for this special evening.

Thank you to everyone who attended and joined us in Honouring Indigenous CEO Leadership. Your presence helped create a meaningful celebration of Indigenous excellence, leadership and economic achievement.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to our distinguished CEO honourees:

Tom Jackson
James Blackman
Aaron Lepine
Ian Arcand

Your leadership, dedication and commitment to the communities you serve are truly outstanding. The paths you are forging are creating meaningful opportunities and inspiring future generations of Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals.

We extend a special acknowledgement and our sincere appreciation to , , , ., Board Directors Nicole Baker, Nella Sajlovic, and Graham Vice President of Indigenous Relations Terry M Mitchell,. Thank you for joining us and helping honour our CEOs in a good way.

Together, we are honouring leadership, strengthening relationships and building a more prosperous future for Indigenous Peoples 🦅

10/01/2026

The date is quickly approaching, and we are excited to welcome guests to the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala on October 6, 2026, at the River Cree Grand Ballroom.

We look forward to bringing together Indigenous CEOs, Chiefs, Council Members, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, finance professionals, legal professionals, community representatives and valued industry allies for an inspiring evening of leadership, connection and celebration.

Together, we will honour the achievements and economic contributions of Indigenous leaders while supporting the continued development of the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub.

We cannot wait to welcome you!

If you haven't purchased your ticket(s), there is still time at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AMMnpPyeZNjLnUJqUsfjNnOeYBK37ILZ-YZYesZbZWE/edit?usp=drive_link

09/30/2026

Today, we honour the strength and resilience of our residential school Survivors, their families and communities. We remember the children who never returned home and acknowledge the generations who continue to carry the impacts of Canada’s residential school system.

Today, culturally grounded education is helping create new pathways for Indigenous businesses, professionals and communities to pursue meaningful opportunities while remaining connected to culture, tradition and ceremonial processes. Education now opens doors for Indigenous growth, leadership and economic participation, while our business community continues to be guided by the knowledge, strength and lived experiences of our ancestors.

The orange colour and design of the Indigenous Trailblazers Summit logo was thoughtfully chosen to capture the heart of healing, growth and moving forward toward a more balanced and equitable future for Indigenous Peoples.

The eagle is our messenger, carrying our thoughts, prayers, hopes and dreams to the Creator—with the hope that balance, equality and understanding will endure.

The circle reminds us that we are all connected and that we share a common desire for the health, happiness and well-being of our families, friends and communities in all that we endeavour to accomplish.

Truth must come before reconciliation. This day calls upon each of us to listen, learn and reflect while supporting the ongoing work of healing, accountability and meaningful action.

May we carry this responsibility beyond September 30 and continue moving forward together with respect, compassion and understanding.

Every Child Matters. 🧡

09/24/2026

Abawashded, Tansi, Oki, and Good day,

The evening program is set for the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala!

Join us on October 6, 2026, at the River Cree Grand Ballroom for an inspiring evening celebrating Indigenous leadership, business achievement, artistry and community.

The evening will feature:
• Keynote address by Billy Morin, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Northwest
• Indigenous performances by Celeigh Cardinal and Jarrid Lee
• Presentation of the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub’s vision and path forward
• A special ceremony honouring Indigenous CEO leaders Tom Jackson, Aaron Lepine, James Blackman and Ian Arcand
• Dinner, networking and opportunities to build meaningful relationships

Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Limited tickets are still available. Reserve your seat by contacting:

[email protected]

We look forward to sharing this memorable evening of Indigenous excellence, professionalism, entertainment and leadership with you.

09/21/2026

The image we are sharing offers a first look at the vision we will present during the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala on October 6, 2026:

Connecting Indigenous business to opportunity.

We are excited to honour Indigenous CEO leaders , , and while officially introducing the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub.

The Hub’s vision is to empower Indigenous community-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and business consultants by strengthening visibility, relationships and access to meaningful opportunities.

Delegates will not want to miss this special evening celebrating Indigenous professionalism, outstanding entertainment, meaningful connections and Indigenous leadership.

Connecting Relationships. Creating Opportunities. Building Indigenous Prosperity.

09/16/2026

Limited seating remains!

Join us for the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala—an inspiring evening showcasing outstanding Indigenous talent.

We’re honoured to feature:
🎶 Celeigh Cardinal — JUNO Award-winning Cree singer-songwriter
🎸 Jarrid Poitras Lee — Plains Cree country-rock artist

📅 October 6, 2026
🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM
📍 River Cree Grand Ballroom

Reserve your seat by contacting:
[email protected]

We look forward to celebrating Indigenous artistry, excellence, and community with you.

09/06/2026

What We Heard. What We Found. Why the Work Must Continue.

The Indigenous Trailblazers Hub has been reviewing the Indigenous business and economic-development landscape to understand where meaningful gaps remain.

Our research confirmed that Canada has experienced organizations delivering important services in business development, financing, governance, training, procurement and sector-specific support.

The issue is not necessarily the absence of services. It is the fragmented pathway between those services, the businesses seeking support and the opportunities they are working to access.

Several key gaps were consistently identified:
• Indigenous businesses are not always visible to buyers and potential partners.
• Business information is spread across disconnected directories, spreadsheets, programs and personal networks.
• Entrepreneurs and community-owned businesses may struggle to determine where to begin, which services are appropriate or whether they qualify.
• Procurement opportunities may arrive too late to build partnerships, address capacity needs and prepare competitive bids.
• Business-readiness needs are not always identified before an opportunity is presented.
• Introductions and referrals are frequently made without coordinated follow-up.
• Relationships created through events do not always progress into contracts, financing or lasting partnerships.
• Indigenous businesses may repeatedly provide the same information while retaining limited control over how it is stored, shared or used.
• Buyers, governments and funders can struggle to locate verified Indigenous capacity by region, territory, industry and capability.
• Results—including bids, contracts, investment, employment and business growth—are not consistently tracked after connections are made.

Our research points to one overarching need:

The grassroots Indigenous business community requires more than another event, directory or short-term program. It requires continuity—a coordinated pathway from visibility and readiness to relationships, opportunities and measurable outcomes.

This is not about replacing organizations already doing valuable work. It is about strengthening connections among existing resources and making the economic-development landscape easier to navigate.

The Indigenous Trailblazers Summit demonstrated what is possible when Indigenous businesses, communities and allies come together through collaborative effort, collaborative investment, mutual benefit and mutual growth.

The next chapter will be introduced on October 6, 2026, at the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala—Honouring Indigenous CEO Leadership.

Be in the room when the vision is revealed.

For tickets, tables, investment or partnership inquiries, contact [email protected]

09/03/2026

An Unforgettable Evening of Indigenous Leadership, Excellence and Entertainment

Join us on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the River Cree Grand Ballroom for the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub Fundraising Gala—Honouring Indigenous CEO Leadership.

Our evening lineup features:

Keynote Speaker
Billy Morin — Member of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest

Honoured Indigenous CEOs
Tom Jackson — Goodfish Lake Business Corporation
Aaron Lepine — Mikisew Cree First Nation
James Blackman — Primco Dene Group of Companies
Ian Arcand — Alexander Business Centre

Musical Performances
Celeigh Cardinal
Jarrid Lee

Early-bird savings end soon!

Receive 10% off individual tickets and table purchases when you register by September 15, 2026.

Early-Bird Pricing:
• Individual Ticket: $180
• Table of Eight: $1,440

Regular pricing after September 15:
• Individual Ticket: $200
• Table of Eight: $1,600

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating Indigenous leadership, business excellence and the official launch of the Indigenous Trailblazers Hub.

Payment options:
Credit Card - https://www.indigenoustrailblazers.ca/event-details/indigenous-trailblazers-hub-gala
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Interact E-Transfer
Cheque

Contact: [email protected]