UCN Linkages
The Pas
October 6-7, 2026
The Pas Métis Hall & University College of the North
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Presented by
Skills For The North
2026 Linkages Skills For The North will provide a forum to:
- Identify workforce needs
- Explore innovative approaches to training and apprenticeship
- Highlight effective partnerships
- Develop strategies to attract, train and retain a skilled workforce in the North
Program Highlights
Tuesday, October 6
11:00am Registration + Light Lunch
12:00pm Conference Opening
12:30pm Speakers + Programming
4:30pm Daily Closing
5:30pm Networking Reception
Wednesday, October 7
8:00am Networking + Breakfast
8:45am Daily Opening
9:00am Speakers + Programming
12:00pm Conference Closing
Monday, October 20
Pre-Conference Cultural Programming (Session Full)
Tuesday, October 21
Registration + Coffee
Northern Manitoba’s Moment: The Opportunities And Challenges Of Canada’s Big Project Economy
Everyday Resiliency: How To Master Working And Living Well
Wednesday, October 22
Networking + Breakfast
The Tahltan Story: From Affluence To Poverty To Affluence
Stronger Together: Challenges And Successes In The Arctic (Virtual)
Linking People, Places And Opportunities In The North
Tales Of Indigenous Development Corporations: Building Value (Virtual)
Panel Discussion | Connecting Communities: Supply Chain Strategies For The North
Primrose: Journey To Sustainable Development
Our Speakers
Vaughn Karpan
Assistant General Manager – Player Personnel
Vegas Golden Knights
Born in Flin Flon, Vaughn moved to The Pas in 1964 and grew up there before leaving in 1978 to pursue hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings organization.
Over the next several years, hockey took him to Brandon University, the BC Junior Hockey League and, ultimately, the University of Manitoba. Vaughn graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his time with the Bisons, he was a three-time team MVP and served as captain for his final two seasons.
Vaughn played for Canada’s Men’s National Team in 1983–84 and again from 1985–88, appearing in 224 games for Canada and representing the country at two Winter Olympic Games: Sarajevo in 1984 and Calgary in 1988.
After five years in private industry, he began his professional hockey scouting career with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992–93. He remained with the franchise following its move to Phoenix and spent 13 years with the organization, progressing from Amateur Scout to Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting and ultimately Director of Amateur Scouting.
In 2005–06, Vaughn joined the Montreal Canadiens, where he spent 11 seasons in a variety of roles. He began in amateur scouting, later moved into professional scouting and was eventually appointed Director of Professional Scouting.
In 2016–17, Vaughn joined the expansion Vegas Golden Knights as Director of Player Personnel. In the fall of 2022, he was appointed Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel, and in 2023 had the privilege of being part of the organization’s first Stanley Cup championship.
Vaughn was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
Peter Katz
Juno-Nominated Singer-Songwriter, Keynote Speaker, and Facilitator
A Juno Award- and Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter, when Peter Katz takes the stage, the room changes. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, leading healthcare organizations, major associations, and governments of all levels, he delivers highly customized Keynote Concerts that blend live music, powerful storytelling, and research-backed strategies to create an experience your audience will talk about for years to come. Katz speaks on building cultures of connection and belonging, helping organizations learn to surface and celebrate the moments that matter to spark inspiration, alignment, and performance that lasts.
Combining the emotional resonance of an award-winning recording artist with the clarity and impact of a master communicator, Katz doesn’t speak at your people — he draws them in. He’s often described by clients as a “thunderbolt of the soul”. Katz’s perspective on service has been cultivated from nearly two decades as an internationally touring singer-songwriter. After a serious injury and a global pandemic interrupted his plans, he discovered that the skills he had honed through a life on the road — like creating space for deep communication and communal joy — were applicable to people from any industry and any walk of life.
A four-time TEDx fellow, Katz has delivered his highly customized keynote concerts and facilitations to organizations and associations from nearly every industry, including Coco-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Cisco, American Express, Johns Hopkins Medicine, SickKids Hospital, PCMA, and APEX. He is known for going far beyond standard “customization,” often conducting pre- event interviews and weaving his client’s mission, values, and audience stories directly into the keynote experience.
As an acclaimed musician, Katz is beloved in his home country of Canada and has inspired many with his songs. CBC radio host Tom Power has praised his music as “one of the most heartfelt, beautiful, and vulnerable records of the year, an astonishing record.” Katz’s music has been streamed over 30 million times, and his music videos have over 35 million views on YouTube, with his cover of Beyonce’s “Halo” garnering over 33 million views alone. His music is regularlyfeatured in films and on television, including CBC Television’s 2016 Rio Olympics/Paralympics coverage.
Our Panelists
Kristina Akpalo
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Government of Canada
Kristina Akpalo joined Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in 2009 and currently works as an Outreach officer in Winnipeg, MB. In her current position, she helps Canadian employers learn how Canada’s economic programs may be used to support their hiring needs and help drive economic growth.
Our Moderators
Book Your Stay!
Andersen Inn & Suites
1717 Gordon Ave. The Pas, MB R9A 1K3
Phone: 1-204-623-1888
Kikiwak Inn
P.O. BOX 10040 Opaskwayak, MB ROB 2J0
Phone: 1-204-623-1800
For information on registration, please contact Kelly Watters: ucnlinkages@outlook.com
CONTACT US
Kelly Watters
Kelly Forgala Events
ucnlinkages@outlook.com
204 391 4419