A workshop aiming to teach businesses how to better engage First Nations communities took place in Prince Albert on Tuesday.
“Understanding Treaties” was put on by the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and was held at the Prince Albert Inn.
Consultant John Lagimodiere, the facilitator for the workshop, says participants learned about the treaties and how they affected First Nations culture.
“The treaties are the fabric of Canada,” said Lagimodiere. “Those treaties are the tickets to the future, but they have been kind of abrogated and that has led to issues. As business owners learn and understand the past, it makes it easier for them to understand the community and find the inroads into the community.”
The attendees participated in several workshops and also heard presentations from Athabasca Basin Development as well as the Treaty Commissioner.
Athabasca Basin Development Corporation CEO Geoff Gay shared the business plan of ABDC during his presentation.
Gay gave credit to the leadership of the seven communities in Saskatchewan’s far north for helping make ABDC a successful Aboriginal business venture.
Seventy people attended the event.