Event

4th Annual First Nations Major Projects Coalition Industry Engagement Event

March 18, 2021, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. + Google + Apple + Outlook + Yahoo

March 19, 2021, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. + Google + Apple + Outlook + Yahoo

Virtual

The Indigenous Sustainable Investment Conference will focus on delivering programming related to the advancement of an Indigenous worldview of Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards (collectively called ESG standards) and their impact on the social and economic interests held by Indigenous people in the context of major project and energy development.

The two-day virtual event will bring together Indigenous communities from across Canada with government and project finance sectors for focused expert discussions on the following topics:

Incorporating Indigenous interests into ESG investing principles and strategies
Equity ownership in major projects by Indigenous communities
The impact and opportunity of climate change and Indigenous communities
How to move projects forward with full Indigenous involvement

“As an indigenous person, this conference is incredibly important to me; this is an opportunity for our communities to come together around major infrastructure.” – Co-Host JP Gladu BScF MBA ICD.D

The event agenda can be viewed here.

Speakers

Co-hosts

Mark Podlasly

Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives, First Nations Major Projects Coalition Fellow, Public Policy Forum

Mark Podlasly (Nlaka’pamux Nation) provides strategic advice at the intersection of Indigenous-corporate governance and infrastructure issues. He has over 20 years of extensive experience in the development of capital projects connected to energy, natural resources and community infrastructure around the world.

Mark is the Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, a national 70+ Indigenous nation collective that seeks ownership of major infrastructures. He is also engaged as the Chair of the First Nations Limited Partnership (Pipelines), a 16-First Nations $500 million commercial partnership with Chevron’s Kitimat LNG project. Mark regularly advises Indigenous groups such as the BC Assembly of First Nations and others on economic and public policy issues.

Mark holds a Harvard University master’s degree and is a regular speaker at global business and governance events including the International Finance Corporation’s annual sustainability conference.
JP Gladu

President at A2A Rail

Jean Paul (JP) Gladu was appointed to the Board of Directors on April 7, 2017. JP is currently the President of A2A Rail and previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) from September 2012 until April 2020. Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay JP is a member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek located on the eastern shores of Lake Nipigon, Ontario.

JP has over 25 years of experience in the natural resource sector. His career path includes work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada. JP sits on the Board of Suncor Energy, Canada’s leading integrated energy company, and is the Chair of Mikisew Group of Companies, a leading oil sands partner specializing in site services, maintenance, logistics and construction.

JP completed a forestry technician diploma in 1993, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in 2000, holds an Executive MBA from Queens University and the ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto.