First Nations Forum on Energy to be held in Vancouver to discuss First Nations role in Canada's Energy Future

OTTAWA, Feb. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is convening the First Nations Forum on Energy: Setting Priorities that will take place February 10-11 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, BC.  The Forum is an opportunity to examine the role of First Nations in Canada's energy future and discuss key issues by bringing together First Nations leaders and experts with leading representatives from government and industry.

The energy sector is an important and fast-growing area of the country's economy and the political, legal and economic landscape places First Nations in a central role in this work.  The Forum is an opportunity to address fundamental issues related to development and the energy sector, and for participants to engage in focused discussions around key topics and priorities.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver an Opening Address at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, February 10. The Honourable Jim Carr, federal Minister of Natural Resources, will address the Forum at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10.  The Honourable David Zimmer, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, will speak at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, February 11.  The Chair and CEO of the National Energy Board, Peter Watson, will address the Forum on February 11 at 10 a.m.

Media can register in advance by emailing the AFN contacts listed below and can register on-site.

First Nations Energy Forum highlights include:

Wednesday, February 10 (all times Vancouver time)

9:10 a.m.	Keynote by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde
9:30 a.m.	Address by the Right Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources
10:00 a.m.	Plenary – A Global Energy Market Briefing: First Nations, Canada, World Energy Markets & Experts
	Speakers:
	Dave Porter, CEO, First Nations Energy and Mining Council Blaine Favel, CEO, One Earth Oil and Gas Eric Axford, Executive Vice-President Business Services, Suncor
10:50 a.m.	Plenary – Where Reality of Energy Markets and the Art of the Possible Converge
	Speakers:
	Christopher Henderson, Founder and President, LUMOS Energy Raymond Pratt, CEO, AllGrid Energy (Australia)
11:30 a.m.	Plenary – Energy, Natural Resources, Stewardship and Climate Action
	Speakers:
	Dr. Peter Robinson, CEO, Davis Suzuki Foundation Carleen Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Jonathan Wilkinson, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Hon. Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

                       

Thursday, February 11

8:30 a.m.	Plenary - A Better Energy and Fiscal Framework
	Speakers:
	AFN BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson Richard Nerysoo, Chiefs Committee on Economic Development Cameron Lusztig, Energy and Environmental Economics
9:15 a.m.	Plenary - How do we achieve better outcomes for First Nations today? How do we get Canada back to work?
	Speakers:
	Joe Dion, CEO, Frog Lake Resources Corporation The Honourable Minister David Zimmer, Aboriginal Affairs, Ontario
10:00 a.m.	Peter Watson, Chair and CEO, National Energy Board of Canada
3:00 p.m.	Closing Remarks by AFN National Chief Bellegarde

Times are subject to change. The detailed agenda is available at: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/16-01-15_afn_energy_forum_agenda_en.pdf

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.  Follow the #AFNForum on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Contact information: Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or [email protected]; Jenna Young Castro, AFN Communications Officer, 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or [email protected]; Onsite contact during the First Nations Energy Forum: Jill Fairbrother, 416-788-0539, [email protected]