Presented by

2025 Linkages

Reimagine the North

With a focus on innovation, people and partnerships, as well as language and culture, Linkages will explore not only the challenges but also the opportunities and applications within each area. The event will highlight the strengths of Northern Manitoba and demonstrate how together, we can thrive.

Objectives + Outcomes

Discuss the economic landscape and opportunities of Northern Manitoba 

Explore resource development in the region and building capacity in response 

Develop strategies to support regional growth 

Highlight the role of reconciliation in fostering economic development

subject to change without notice

Conference Schedule

Monday, February 24th - Pre-Conference Programming - Click on the event for more information and registration.

24 Feb

NCN Northern Mining Workshop (Invitation Only)

08:30 - 17:00
Ma-Mow-We-Take Friendship Centre
24 Feb

Blanket Exercise Session (Registration Required)

18:00 - 20:30
Royal Canadian Legion Chimo Room - 101 Elizabeth Drive

Tuesday February 25

25 Feb

Registration + Coffee

09:30 - 10:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Conference Opening

10:30 - 11:15
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Keynote: Blueprint to the Future – Eric Termuende

11:15 - 12:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Economic Development Winnipeg

12:00 - 12:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Lunch

12:30 - 13:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Northern Economic Development – Christian Sinclair

13:30 - 14:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Panel Discussion: Skills + the Economy

14:00 - 15:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Daily Closing

16:45 - 17:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
25 Feb

Networking Reception

17:00 - 19:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre

Wednesday February 26

26 Feb

Networking + Breakfast

08:00 - 08:45
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb

Daily Opening

08:45 - 09:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb

Deputy Ministers Panel

09:00 - 10:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb

Break

10:30 - 11:15
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb
26 Feb

Lunch

13:00 - 14:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb

Site Tours

14:00 - 17:00
26 Feb

Networking Reception

17:30 - 18:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
26 Feb

Network Dine Around Dinner

18:30 - 21:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre

Thursday February 27 | Province of Manitoba - Mining Day

27 Feb

Networking + Breakfast

08:00 - 08:45
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Daily Opening

08:45 - 09:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Indigenous Nations Chiefs Panel

09:00 - 10:15
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Break

10:15 - 11:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Ministers + Mayors Panel

11:00 - 12:15
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Lunch

12:15 - 13:30
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Chadwick Consulting Ltd. – Jamie Dumont Principal/Owner

14:15 - 15:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Alamos Gold

15:00 - 15:45
Thompson Regional Community Centre
27 Feb

Conference Closing

15:45 - 16:00
Thompson Regional Community Centre

Our Speakers

Ken Coates 
Historian

Ken Coates is a rare public commentator who brings deep understanding of past and present realities together with compelling ideas about Canada’s future. His passionate and highly engaging talks have captivated diverse audiences across the country, from college administrators and economic development officers to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community activists.

Ken was previously professor of Indigenous Governance, Yukon University and Canada Research Chair in Regional Innivatiin, University of Saskatchewan.  Ken combines irreverence, insight and a sense of humour in his conversations about the issues that matter most to Canadians.

Eric Termuende 
Co-Founder of NoW of Work

Eric Termuende is the Co-Founder of NoW of Work, author of Rethink Work, trusted advisor, and award-winning speaker on leadership, culture, and the future of work. His research into the DNA of top performing workplaces reveals the secrets of exceptional leadership and building resilient, forward-thinking teams.

Eric has worked with leading brands like Amazon, Coca-Cola, IBM, Zoom, and Toyota, helping them embrace the future with confidence and optimism. His expertise has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc., cementing his reputation as a global thought leader shaping the future of work.

As co-founder of NoW of Work, Eric drives workplace innovation and has been recognized as one of American Express’s Top 100 Emerging Innovators. His influence extends beyond the stage, helping organizations navigate change and build thriving cultures.

Eric’s keynotes combine entertainment, actionable insights, and practical strategies. Audiences consistently praise his talks as inspiring and immediately impactful, leaving them equipped to create and excel in the workplaces of tomorrow.

Christian Sinclair 

Christian Sinclair was born and raised in Umpherville, near The Pas, MB and is a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Treaty 5 Northern Manitoba. He graduated from Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute in 1988 and subsequently went on to serve in the Canadian military from 1988 to 1995, participating in two tours of duty in Cyprus (1990 Recon-2PPCLI) and Somalia (1992-93 2 Commando-Canadian airborne Regiment).
 
In 2002, Christian began working in the corporate sector with Indigenous groups across Canada, focusing on corporate development and positioning for major natural resource projects related to hydro, mining and oil and gas. He was the co-founder of the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games in 1999 and General Manager for the 2002 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Winnipeg. The event was the most successful NAIG ever hosted and ended with a surplus of over $1.3 million, which was the basis for a scholarship program for Manitoba Indigenous students that is accessed by youth to this day.  
 
In 2003 he was named as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40, and between 2004 and 2014 he worked as an independent business advisor for various companies and communities including Tribal Council Investment Group (TCIG), the North American Indigenous Games with the Southern Ute Tribe, Denver, Colorado, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Keeyask Hydro Dam in Northern Manitoba, and the Cree Regional Economic Enterprises (CREECO) in northern Quebec. The most successful First Nation Corporation in Canada at the time.
 
In 2014 Christian completed his Masters in Project Management from University of Winnipeg, as well as Negotiations and Leadership Certificate Program from Harvard Law School.  From 2014-2016 Christian worked as an independent business advisor.
 
In 2016, Christian was elected as Onekanew (Chief) for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.  In 2019 he was re-elected, serving two terms, and achieving many successes during his tenure. The legacy is to be experienced by OCN for generations to come.  
 
In 2021 he was a Negotiator and Advisor to Marcel Colomb First Nation on the Lynn Lake Gold Mine Project; in 2022 a Negotiator and Advisor to Tataskweyak Cree Nation on the Keeyask Hydro Dam and future Economic Development Projects; as well as an Advisor to the Marten Falls First Nation on their Strategic Planning for the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.
 
Christian serves as a Board member on the UCN Governing Council; serves as a Board member of High Tide Cannabis trading on the Nasdaq and TSX (2019- present); and is presently operating as Christian Sinclair Consulting Services and serving on numerous boards and committees.
 
Today, Christian works with First Nations and Provincial and Federal leaders as an advisor and negotiator.  With a wealth of knowledge and his experience earned on the battlefield and in the corporate boardroom, Christian is a highly sought-after negotiator and project manager.  He bridges the needs of industry and traditional land rights holders into mutually beneficial win-win opportunities for sustainable prosperity and lasting business partnerships for all involved for future generations.

Todd Gursky 
Director of External Relations, Federated Co-operatives Limited

Todd Gursky is Director of External Relations at Federated Co-operatives Limited. In this role he leads the Government Relations team in its efforts to effectively advocate for the organization’s interests, and guides the Indigenous Relations team as they forge mutually beneficial business partnerships with Indigenous community groups. Todd’s previous experience includes roles in the fields of accounting, taxation, management consulting, legislation research & compliance, change management, and government relations. Todd holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Away from work Todd is a husband, father, musician, golfer, woodworker, builder, hunter, and fisherman. He loves being outside, working with his hands, and spending time with family and friends.

Sven-Roald Nystø
Retired Special Advisor

Sven-Roald Nysto (born 1956) has worked on Sámi and other Indigenous peoples’ issues in various capacities for more than 40 years. He was appointed to the Norwegian Government’s Sámi Rights Committee 1984-1997. Elected to the Sámi Parliament in Norway in 1993 representing Norwegian Sámi Association (NSR), he was appointed as President for two subsequent four-year terms, 1997-2005. Among several tasks, it included internationally being a member of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentarians for the Arctic Region, participating in Norway’s delegation to the Arctic Council, Barents Euro-Arctic Council and take part in governmental bilateral meetings particularly with other Nordic Countries, Canada, and Russia.

Nysto started to work at Árran Lule Sámi Centre (situated in his community Ájluokta/Drag, Northern-Norway) in 2006 as Special Adviser, where Arctic- and High North Affairs became his main responsibility. By virtue of this, he became a member of the Norwegian Government’s Expert Committee on High North Affairs 2007- 2009. Nysto worked at Árran until Spring 2022, when he retired. He is a member of Norwegian Mineral Industry’s TSM Community of Interest Panel, was a member of the Advisory Council at the Centre for the Ocean and Arctic, UiT the Arctic University of Norway 2020-2024. He became a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group in the “Consolidation of Four Responsible Mining Standards” collaboration process between The Copper Mark, International Council on Mining and Metals, The Mining Association of Canada’s Toward Sustainable Mining Standard and World Gold Council, 23 June 2023.

Since 2006 he has given 69 lectures and addresses and published 57 feature articles. He held an MPhil in Polar Studies from Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, UK. Nysto’s expertise is related to Arctic Indigenous peoples’ communities and their rights and opportunities in terms of governance, resource extraction, sustainable development, and business.

Alberto Velasco-Acosta
Foreign Direct Investment and Talent & Workforce Development Teams, VP International, Economic Development Winnipeg

Alberto Velasco-Acosta (VP International) leads the Foreign Direct Investment and Talent & Workforce Development teams. He has spent the past six years focusing on strategic initiatives to elevate Winnipeg’s status as a desirable destination for foreign investments. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to fostering international partnerships and enhancing the city’s global economic presence through roles including Chair of the Business Development Committee of the Consider Canada City Alliance, Director of Trade Services at the World Trade Center Winnipeg, and as the inaugural Executive Director of International Business Development at CentrePort Canada.

Ashley Dunlop
Director of Talent & Workforce Development, Economic Development Winnipeg

Ashley Dunlop (Director of Talent & Workforce Development) works with her team to attract, relocate and retain skilled jobseekers to boost the province’s workforce and enhance Winnipeg’s global competitiveness.  Ashley has been promoting Winnipeg and Manitoba within local, national and international markets for more than a decade, previously as Director of Student Recruitment, Admissions and International, Immigrant & Refugee Student Services at The University of Winnipeg.

Janet Westbury-Swain
Regional Associate Director – Central, CEWIL CANADA

Janet Westbury-Swain has built her career in academia with close to 30 years of undergraduate and graduate course design, delivery, and logistics. While teaching at a university in Ontario Janet always blended theory and practical application through experiential and work-integrated learning in each of her courses. With her commitment to students applying their theory into real world experiences and her extensive community partnerships, Janet transitioned into a staff role that focused on developing experiential learning within health sciences at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Here she worked closely with students, constantly collaborated with faculty and colleagues across the institution, while building community connections locally and globally.

Currently, Janet is Central Canada’s Regional Associate Director for CEWIL Canada. Supporting post-secondary institutes, students, and industry in Ontario and Manitoba to deliver quality work-integrated learning. She is truly honoured to work with CEWIL as it constantly is striving to reduce barriers for students engaged in work-integrated learning.

Janet’s leadership roles have ranged from President of a non-profit Board of Directors to Executive in multiple organizations servicing individuals with a wide range of ages and abilities. She has been a lead planner of 11 major events at the local, regional, and national levels.

Her international work began as a contributing author for an Education project in Dubai. She has been instrumental in leading an intensive WIL experience to South Africa and Namibia. Through Academics Without Borders, Janet has collaborated with the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda to help design an excellence centre focusing on teaching and learning.

All of these experiences culminated in Janet being selected for the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. After an intensive work-study experience in the Northwest Territories she and her team returned to Ottawa to present their findings to, Her Excellency, Mary Simon, Canada’s Governor General in 2022.

Janet truly believes that with leadership comes the responsibility to take action that will create positive change.

Dr. Tafa Kennedy
Director, Manitoba Geological Survey

Dr. Tafa Kennedy is the Director of Manitoba Geological Survey, with over 20 year’s experience in the exploration and mining industry, in South Africa, Tanzania, Quebec and Ontario. Tafa obtained her B.Sc from Rhodes University, M.Sc from Pretoria University and Ph.D. from the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi. She has worked as a Nickel and PGE deposit geologist in Raglan and Kabanga for Xstrata Nickel and as a consultant geologist in Quebec, roaming in and around the Abitibi greenstone belt dealing with gold and base metal deposits. After a time in Industry, her call to the public service began in 2017 with the Resident Geologist Program and the Mining Lands Division in Ontario.

Marc Rinne
Precambrian Geologist, Manitoba Geological Survey

Marc Rinne is a Precambrian Geologist with the Manitoba Geological Survey, with field experience in many types of mineral deposits. He obtained his Masters in Geology at Lakehead University, and his PhD in Geology at the University of Tasmania. His most recent work with the survey involves fieldwork in parts of the Canadian shield in eastern Manitoba, as well as updates to the provincial Mineral Deposits Database.

Accommodations

Book Your Stay!

Days Inn & Suites

21 Thompson Drive North
Thompson MB R8N 2B5
Phone: 204-778-6000
Reservation Deadline:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Group ID: UCN Linkages

Super 8

180 Thompson Drive North
Thompson MB R8N 1Y8
Phone: 204-778-0040
Reservation Deadline:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Group ID: UCN Linkages

For information on registration, please contact Kelly Watters: [email protected]

CONTACT US

Kelly Watters
Kelly Forgala Events
[email protected]
204 391 4419

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