Corporate-Indigenous Relations Council

Effective corporate-Indigenous relations are increasingly important to our objectives as a country.

Mutually beneficial relationships are at the heart of success and prosperity for industry, public sector organizations, and Indigenous communities and businesses, and sets the foundation for reconciliation in Canada.

The Conference Board of Canada’s Corporate–Indigenous Relations Council (CIRC) is an executive network with a mandate to create equitable, productive, and collaborative corporate–Indigenous relations. It fosters honest dialogue between senior-level representatives from public, private, and Indigenous organizations in a confidential venue. Members work together to find practical solutions to common challenges and opportunities.

Who Should Join?

CIRC is a network for leaders from Indigenous, public, private, and not-for-profit organizations whose roles focus on the corporate–Indigenous relations landscape.

Members have a shared and committed interest in improving their knowledge, practices, and policies in Canada.

Key Objectives

  • Support organizations from across all sectors in developing best practices and constructive, mutually beneficial relationships.
  • Contribute to reconciliation through collaborative and respectful engagement between Indigenous, private, and public sector organizations.

Benefits of Membership

CollaborateConnectGainGrow
Work collaboratively and develop productive relationships with peers and stakeholders from across the country in an intimate and confidential forumHear from experts and practitioners on key issues and learn from their successes and challengesAccess practical ideas about how your organization can develop and maintain effective corporate–Indigenous relationsKeep your finger on the pulse of key developments and contemporary issues

Current Members

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Alamos Gold Inc.

Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat

BC Hydro

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Canadian National Railway

Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated

Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology

Det’On Cho Corporation

Employment and Social Development Canada

Enbridge Inc.

FedNor (Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario)

First Nations Major Projects Coalition

Gibson Energy

Hydro One

Imperial

Indigenous Services Canada

JD Irving

Manitoba Hydro

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

National Association of Friendship Centres

Nova Scotia Office of L’nu Affairs

Nova Scotia Power Inc

Nuclear Waste Management Organization

Ontario Power Generation

Pathways Executive Search

Rogers Communications Inc.

Royal Bank of Canada

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Tlicho Investment Corporation & Group of Companies

Testimonial

Justin Huston

Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer, Nova Scotia Office of L’nu Affairs

The Corporate–Indigenous Relations Council  is one of the best forums I have had the opportunity to participate in, and it provides a lot of value to my organization. The meetings provide a unique opportunity to thoughtfully and candidly discuss cutting-edge ideas and practical issues with business, government, and Indigenous leaders from across the country.

Members Only

This section is currently underdevelopment. In the meantime, please visit this page to access all members-only content.

If you’re not a member and would like to become one, please contact us.

Past Meetings

Trusted Relationships—A Renewed Emphasis on Best Practices in Engagement and Relationship Building

November 16–17, 2022: Fall Members Meeting   •   Gastown, Vancouver, BC

A Discussion on Indigenous Governance Structures and the Path to Economic Reconciliation

September 28, 2022: Indigenous Governance Series—Session 3   •   Virtual


Chief Commissioner Manny Jules, First Nations Tax Commission

UNDRIP Legislation: Implications for the Evolving Corporate-Indigenous Agreement Landscape

May 4–5, 2022 (Members Meeting)

Canada’s UNDRIP Legislation and Its Implications for Indigenous Governance

January 20, 2022 (Indigenous Governance Series)


Chief Scott McLeod, Nipissing First Nation 

Ken Paul, Wastey Nation

Sunny LeBourdais, Director of Transformation, Qwelminte Secwepemc 

Sandra Gogal, Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

The Impacts of Systemic Racism on Indigenous Engagement and Inclusion

Fall 2021 (Members Meeting)


Becky Sasakamoose Kuffer, Cultural Diversity & Race Relations Consultant, City of Saskatoon

Tara Shea, Senior Director, Regulatory & Indigenous Affairs, Mining Association of Canada (MAC)

Dale Sturges, Head, Indigenous Financial Services, RBC

Sandra Gogal, Partner, Cassels

Bernadette Iahtail, Government of Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council Member, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Creating Hope Society

Sara Mainville, Partner, Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP 

Shannin Metatawabin, Chief Executive Officer, NACCA

Looking Forward

The Council is proud to offer a program plan for the coming two years that is relevant and actionable—one that includes the perspective of Indigenous, private sector, and public sector organizations. Moreover, this plan is flexible enough to address the changing needs and interests of Council members, as well as emerging issues that were not originally anticipated.

Systemic racism
The impacts on Indigenous engagement and inclusion

Trusted relationships
A renewed emphasis on best practices in engagement and relationship-building

Seizing the opportunity for Indigenous economic reconciliation
Community and youth-focused capacity development

UNDRIP legislation
Implications for the evolving corporate–Indigenous agreement landscape

Procurement and supply chain management
Barriers, opportunities, and assessing the impacts

Relevant Research for Members

Become a Member

Work together to find practical solutions to common challenges and opportunities.