Conference Program - 6th Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference

Monday, June 3, 2019 – DAY 2 – University of Oklahoma, College of Law

Elder Gordon Yellowman of the Cheyenne & Araphaho opening the 6th International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference

Professor Taiawagi Helton, Faculty of Law, University of Oklahoma, atop Mount Scott, Oklahoma, enjoying the spectacular vista

Panel 1 Presentation: New NAFTA & Indigenous Trade Opportunities

Facilitator: Dr. Lindsay Robertson, Faculty Director, Center for the Study of American Indian Law and Policy, College of Law, University of Oklahoma, Norman; Chickasaw Nation Endowed Chair in Native American Law, College of Law, University of Oklahoma

Professor Lindsay G. Robertson joined the law faculty in 1997. He teaches courses in Federal Indian Law, Comparative and International Indigenous Peoples Law, Constitutional Law and Legal History and serves as Faculty Director of the Center for the Study of American Indian Law and Policy and Founding Director of the International Human Rights Law Clinic.

Professor Robertson was Private Sector Advisor to the U.S. Department of State delegations to the Working Groups on the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2004-06) and the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2004-07) and from 2010-12 was a member of the U.S Department of State Advisory Committee on International Law. In 2014, he served as advisor on indigenous peoples law to the Chair of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He has spoken widely on international and comparative indigenous peoples law issues in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

In 2014, he was the recipient of the first David L. Boren Award for Outstanding Global Engagement. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and serves as a justice on the Supreme Court of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. Professor Robertson is the author of Conquest by Law (Oxford University Press 2005).

Presenters

Mr. Robert Brookfield

Deputy Legal Adviser & Director General

Trade Law Bureau, Global Affairs Canada

Robert Brookfield is Director General of the Trade Law Bureau (JLT) of the Government of Canada. He presently leads the CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) legal team and has acted as primary legal counsel or negotiator of elements of many free trade negotiations, including the Canada-EU Comprehensive Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and free trade agreements with Korea, Honduras, and Panama. He has served as counsel for Canada on several WTO disputes, including US-Country of Origin Labelling and China-Auto Parts. He has a L.L.B from the University of British Columbia (1995) and a BArtsSc from McMaster University (1992).

Mr. Michael Woods

Senior Partner

Woods LaFortune, LLP

Michael Woods is a founding partner of Woods, LaFortune LLP and has broad experience in international business with special expertise in all aspects of international trade litigation. He brings a special “problem-solving” approach to client matters, drawing on a wide range of skills and knowledge in international transactions of all kinds. His practice includes international trade and cross-border litigation, import and export controls, regulatory law, information technology and knowledge management, government procurement and contracting, and government relations. Mr. Woods has been recognized as a leading practitioner in the area of International Trade/WTO since 2008 by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In June 2013, he was awarded the Ontario Bar Association Award for Excellence in International Law.

Dr. James Hopkins

Associate Professor – Indigenous Peoples & the Law

College of Law, University of Arizona

Professor Hopkins is with the University of Arizona’s Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program. Also counsel to the Rio Yaqui Pueblos. Professor Hopkins is Algonquin/Metis from Quebec. He is a former law clerk to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and is a member of the Ontario Bar. Prior to joining the College of Law, he was an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Law, at the University of Alberta. He graduated from Harvard Law School’s joint Masters of Laws and International Tax Program (LLM/ITP) in June 2000. Professor Hopkins’ area of interest is the intersection between trade, tax and aboriginal law. He is a recipient of the Harvard University International Tax Program’s Award for Excellence in Research and Writing for his graduate thesis titled, “Democratization by Taxation: Democratic Experimentalism in Aboriginal Canada.”

Panel 2 Feature Presentation: Indigenous Trade in British Columbia

Facilitator Bradford W. Morse, Dean of Law, Thompson Rivers University

B.A. (Rutgers University), LL.B. (UBC), LL.M. (York University). Dean and Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, B.C., Canada 2015 – . Formerly Dean of Law at Te Piringa – Faculty of Law, University of Waikato 2009-2014 and continuing as part-time Professor of Law 2014 – ; Professor of Law, University of Ottawa from 1976 – 2013 and Professor Emeritus since 2014. He has previously served as Executive Director, Native Legal Task Force of B. C. 1974-75; Research Director, Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba 1988-91; Chief of Staff to Hon. Ronald A. Irwin, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs 1993-96. Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship in 1997 at Oklahoma City University. Publications: over 100 books, articles, book chapters and commission reports. He has been a legal advisor and negotiator for many First Nations and national and regional Aboriginal organizations in Canada since 1974 as well as Consultant to various royal commissions, governments and Indigenous organisations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He has appeared as an Expert Witness before the Waitangi Tribunal (NZ), Parliamentary and Legislative Committees (Canada) and other administrative tribunals predominantly on Indigenous rights and environmental law issues.

Presenters

Terry Teegee

Regional Chief

British Columbia – Assembly of First Nations

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, a member of Takla Lake First Nation, was elected BCAFN Regional Chief on October 12, 2017 and carries the responsibilities of the hereditary name of Maxweeum Tsimghee. Until recently, Terry was a Registered Professional Forester. He is a graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry in 2006 and completed a diploma in forestry technology from the College of New Caledonia.

Terry served in elected positions including Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (2012 – 2018), and the BC Representative for the National Aboriginal Forestry Association (2008 to 2014). He was appointed to the Fraser Basin Council Board, an advocacy group that promotes sustainability in the Fraser River Basin, from 2009 to 2018. Terry was one of 250 participants selected across the country to participate in the 2017 Canadian Governor General’s Leadership Conference.

Wayne Garnons-Williams

Senior Lawyer – Garwill Law PC

Wayne is Plains Cree from Treaty 6, Moosomin First Nation, the founding President of International Inter-tribal Trade Organization, Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of the law firm Garwill Law Professional Corporation specializing in Tribal Trade and Economic Development, as well as past Chair of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Appeal Tribunal. He is on the board of directors of the International Council of the Great Lakes Region a board member of Capacity Canada and a board member of Three Feather Corporation. He is also a Research Fellow specializing in International Comparative Indigenous law at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. He is appointed by Order in Council as a member to the NAFTA Chapter 19 Trade Remedies roster.

Panel 3 Presentation: Indigenous Trade – Government Support for Indigenous Business in Canada

Facilitator Michael Woods, Senior Partner, Woods LaFortune, LLP

Presenters

Claude Dagenais

Trade Commissioner – Indigenous Business

Trade Missions, Consultations and Outreach

Global Affairs, Government of Canada

Claude Dagenais has almost 30 years of experience with the Government of Canada. Since 2005, he has been supporting the global network of the Trade Commissioner Service in various roles and responsibilities in Ottawa. Most recently, his work has focused on engaging with and promoting international trade to Indigenous businesses, organizations, and associations all over Canada. Mr. Dagenais has previously worked as Chief of Internal Communications at the Department of Justice Canada, Senior Communications Advisor at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Speech Writer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Prior to the federal government, he was a Reporter and the Managing Editor of a French magazine in Ontario. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and a Certificate of Journalism from Laval University, in Quebec City. He was borned and raised near Montréal, province of Quebec.

Christine Wong

Deputy Director

Trade Missions, Consultations and Outreach

Global Affairs, Government of Canada

Raised in Thompson, Manitoba and a graduate of the University of Manitoba, Christine Wong is currently the Deputy Director (Indigenous Business and Newcomers) in the Trade Missions, Consultations and Outreach Division at Global Affairs Canada. She had assignments overseas in Kenya, Venezuela and Senegal. At headquarters, she served in a variety of other positions ranging from human resources, attracting foreign direct investment to Canada, and managing bilateral commercial relations with a number of foreign countries.

Panel 4 Discussion: New Zealand Indigenous Trade and Investment

Facilitator Bradford W. Morse, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

Presenters

Dr. Robert Joseph

Faculty of Law, University of Waikato

Dr Joseph is Māori from the Tainui, Tūwharetoa, Kahungunu, Rangitāne and Ngāi Tahu tribes. Dr Joseph is a Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa-Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato, he was admitted to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1998, and he completed his PhD in law and Māori governance at the University of Waikato in 2006. Dr Joseph was a senior research fellow for the Te Mātāhauariki Research Institute under the leadership of Judge Michael Brown, and in the Pro-Vice Chancellor Māori Office at the University of Waikato under Dr Linda Tuhiwai Smith.

Dr Joseph is the current director of both Te Mata Hautū Taketake – the Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre (MIGC), and the Canada-New Zealand Studies Unit at Waikato University, he was the Chair of the Māori Governance Working Group Committee established by the New Zealand Government and Māori Economic Development Task Force, the Ministry for Māori Development – Te Puni Kokiri, and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment in 2012, and he has been a trustee on numerous Māori trusts and organisations.

Dr Joseph is a former Fulbright and Claude McCarthy Scholar, an expert witness, licenced researcher, and legal historian in the Waitangi Tribunal; a former Vice President of the Battle of Orākau Heritage Society Inc., he is the New Zealand representative on a number of international organisations including the Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ), the International Indigenous Governance Consortium (IIGC), the International Indigenous Trade and Investment Organisation (IITIO), and he is also currently researching and working with the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development (HPAIED), the Native Nations Institute (NNI) at the University of Arizona, and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) at Australia National University (ANU) in Canberra, Australia. Dr Joseph is moreover, a recently appointed member of the New Zealand Government Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade-Māori Taumata committee for dealing with Māori and international free trade agreements which compliments his work role in IITIO.

Mr. Ngahiwi Tomoana

CEO & Chair

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi

Mr. Ngahiwi Tomoana has been the Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated since 1996. He has been involved in Māori community business and tribal economic development most of his life. Mr. Tomoana was the Co-Chair of the Māori Economic Development Panel, and prior to that, Chair of the Primary Sector Group of the Minister of Māori Affairs’ Māori Economic Taskforce. He has led a number of Māori business delegation missions to explore opportunities in the China market. Mr. Tomoana has a strong background in the seafood industry. He has taken a lead in promoting Māori aquaculture for the wider Māori community and his iwi (tribe), and organised the first Māori Fisheries Conference in Napier in 2006. He has previously been a Director and Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust and is a Director of Hawke’s Bay Seafood’s Limited.

Mr. Richard T. Jones

Chief Experiences Officer – CXO

Poutama Trust

Richard has been Chief Executive of Poutama since 1999. In a happy coincidence, Poutama is a family name several generations back in Richard’s whakapapa (genealogy) this helps give his present position an extra resonance for him.

He has focused Poutama’s efforts on developing, consolidating and growing Maori businesses from micro-small business and entrepreneurs to tribal asset holding entities. A strong believer in the power of collaboration, Richard has initiated and driven a number of collaborative initiatives. This includes collaboration among Maori food & beverage businesses and the Maori primary, tourism and digital sectors. He is the key driver of a project that will see the establishment of New Zealand’s first geothermal powered, multi-species dairy processing plant. The participants in this project are made up of tribal groupings from the region along with a Japanese investor. Richard is currently investigating the establishment of a Maori direct investment fund and has raised capital from Maori entities to invest into projects that Poutama has initiated.

A keen practitioner of practicing what he preaches Richard is an owner in a small beverage business, Taha Beverages. The nature and extent of Richard’s work has enabled him to build strong networks and relationships with crown entities, financial institutions, private sector businesses andalso make international connections.

Panel 5 Discussion: Oklahoma Tribal Nations Trade Panel

Facilitator: Ms. Molly Fleming, Commercial Reporter, The Journal Record

Molly Fleming is an award-winning commercial reporter for The Journal Record business newspaper. She regularly writes about commercial real estate, retail transactions, and the Native American tribes. In her tribal coverage, she mainly covers government, economic development, and casino operations. In 2018, she attended the Murphy oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fleming is a native Arkansan and has lived in northwest Oklahoma City for six years. She started her career working for small community newspapers, covering many city council and county government meetings. She is an Arkansas Tech University alumna and earned her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

When she is not in The Journal Record’s downtown office, she frequents local stores, trains for a marathon, bakes in her kitchen, or plays with her wire haired fox terrier Penny Lane. Fleming can be found on twitter @JR_MollzFlem.

Presenters

Ms. Kaycie Sheppard

Executive Officer & General Counsel

Chickasaw Nation, Department of Commence

Kaycie Sheppard has served as in-house counsel for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce (CNDC) since 2006 and has served as General Counsel to CNDC for the last two years. As General Counsel for CNDC Ms. Sheppard represents all tribal business enterprises under the Nation’s Department of Commerce including gaming facilities, hotels, gas stations, the chocolate factory, radio stations and many others. Ms. Sheppard’s primary areas of practice include: federal Indian law, real property, construction law, taxation, contracts, subsidiary organizations, complex financial transactions, new markets tax credits transactions, policy and code development and state and federal regulatory matters related to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Internal Revenue Service, and FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of Treasury). Ms. Sheppard advises the CNDC Governance Committee, provides legal advice to the Chickasaw Nation’s Community Development Endeavor (CNCDE, LLC) and serves as counsel for a majority of the Nation’s state-formed subsidiary companies.

Ms. Sheppard received a Bachelor of Science Degree in legal studies with a minor in political science from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. She earned her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2006. She is a member of the Chickasaw, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma and Federal Bar Associations and a member of the Tribal In House Counsel Association (TICA). Ms. Sheppard is licensed to practice law in the courts of the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma and the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Mr. Scott Freeny

Senior Legal Director

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Scott Freeny currently serves as the Business Development Legal Director for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. His focus is on assisting the Nation’s business units with ongoing legal needs and analyzing potential transactions the Nation is interested in pursuing.

Prior to joining the Nation, his work centered primarily around business/transactional and gaming regulatory matters for clients ranging from solo entrepreneurs to large-scale, international corporations.

Mr. Freeny has owned his own law firm and also worked for two large, regional firms – one based in Oklahoma City and the other based in New Orleans. His educational experience includes receiving two engineering degrees from Dartmouth College, his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School and his MBA from Oklahoma City University.

Ms. Courtney Palmer

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Industries

Courtney is a member of the Kiowa Tribe. She holds a Bachelor degree from Oklahoma City University. Courtney began her career in the oil & gas industry, worked in the Drilling Department at Devon Energy for 16 years. She has a diverse background of culture diversity, has traveled extensively internationally.

Her many international trade activities include assisting in the development of the Iron Horse Industrial Park and making presentations to countless trade representatives and diplomats.

Panel 6 Presentation: Financing Indigenous Nation-to-Nation Trade

Facilitator: Jonna Kauger Kirschner, Senor Vice President Economic Development, Chickasaw Nation Industries

Appointed as Chickasaw Nation Industries Inc.’s, first ever Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Ms. Kirschner’s current role is to enhance CNI’s ability to grow its economic impact by positioning its businesses to operate and thrive in the competitive market.

Before joining CNI, she served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce where she had been General Counsel for over ten years.

Ms. Kirschner attended Dartmouth College and then obtained her law degree from Boston College Law School. She has practiced as a corporate attorney in several private law firms in both Oklahoma City and London, England, where she lived from 1987-1994. As a member of The Law Society, she is licensed to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. She is also licensed to practice in Oklahoma, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. In 2018 she was the recipient of the Mona Salyer Lambird Spotlight Award from the Oklahoma Bar Association. Most recently, Ms. Kirschner was honored as a 2019 Byliner of the Year in the category of Law and Civic Involvement by the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Association of Women in Communications. She is the Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Israel Exchange and Sister Cities International OKC.

Presenters

Mr. Shane Jett

Native American Tribal Representative,

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Community Development Corporation

A former State Legislator, Shane was instrumental in the founding of the Native American Caucus in the Oklahoma House. Shane is the CEO of Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC), a tribally chartered Community Development Financial Institution. Under his leadership, the organization was brought from $14 to $40 million dollars in assets under management taking the CPCDC from 2^nd place to the number one largest Native CDFI in the United States. Shane serves on the national board for the Opportunity Finance Network, is a Cherokee Nation member and President on the Board of Trustees of the Cherokee National Historical Society.

Ms. Janie Simms Hipp (video link)

President/ CEO

Native American Agricultural Fund

Janie Simms Hipp, J.D., LL.M. (Chickasaw) is Founding Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University Of Arkansas School Of Law. Ms. Hipp is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.

Ms. Hipp served in the Obama Administration as the Senior Advisor for Tribal Relations to Secretary Tom Vilsack and as founding Director of the Office of Tribal Relations in the Office of the Secretary. She previously served in the Bush administration within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA) as the National Program Leader for Farm Financial Management, Risk Management Education, Trade Adjustment Assistance, and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and within USDA Risk Management Agency as national Risk Management Education Director.

She is a graduate of University of Oklahoma, received her J.D. at Oklahoma City University, and her LL.M. in Agriculture and Food Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law. She has been a licensed attorney in Oklahoma for over 30 years and specializes in food and agriculture law and Indian law. She was honored in 2014 by the University of Arkansas Alumni Association as one of three Distinguished Alumni of the University of Arkansas and by the American Agricultural Law Association as a Distinguished Agricultural Law Professional.

Panel 7 Presentation: World Indigenous Business Forum

Facilitator: Dr. Jim Collard, Director – Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Dr. Collard is the Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). In this capacity he evaluates and facilitates business development proposals and tribal franchise opportunities. He also compiled and manages the CPN Economic Development Strategy. He is currently developing Iron Horse, a rail-anchored industrial park that serves as a destination for Foreign Direct Investment and Import/Export Center for U.S. domestic companies. Dr. Collard has initiated and packaged numerous economic development projects and agreements between multiple governmental entities and businesses. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council. He is also on the Executive Committee of the International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization (IITO). Dr. Collard is the Past Chair of the OK Governor’s International Team and is a member of the Oklahoma District Export Council. Dr. Collard has traveled extensively internationally on business and as a participant on trade missions and diplomatic delegations. He is also the co-founder and chair of the Tribal-Municipal Dialogue, a group dedicated to increasing cooperation between tribal & local governments. He is currently working with the University of Oklahoma – College of Law on Indigenous Human Rights issues.

Presenters

Ms. Rosa Walker

President & Chief Executive Officer

Indigenous Leadership Development Institute

Rosa is a member of Peguis First Nation of Manitoba. She is currently the Founder, President and CEO of the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. in Manitoba and was previously the Founder and Executive Director of Taking Charge! Inc. – a Federal and Provincial initiative for single parents to transition into the workforce. She was also employed at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as Managing Director, Workplace Diversity. Rosa worked with the Bank of Montreal in the capacity of Manager, workplace Equality for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University o Winnipeg, and is a graduate of the Social Work Diploma Program at Confederation College, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Rosa was a former Board Member of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, the Aboriginal Training and Employment Services, National Aboriginal Youth Association, Inc., and a Member of Inter provincial Association on native Employment, Manitoba Chapter. Board Member of Accreditation Canada,

Ms. Shannan Schimmelmann

Director, Strategic Initiatives

K’ul Management Group

Shannan Schimmelmann is a champion for international business development. She is a leader skilled at strategic planning, economic development, stakeholder engagement, public relations and board governance. Shannan brings a unique combination of experience with industry, government, Indigenous communities, and the social profit sector.

Shannan holds an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University specializing in communications and project management. Shannan began her career in the Northwest Territories working in the field of economic and business development.

Now, through her role at K’uL Management Group, Shannan is a consultant to leaders, businesses, academic institutions and social enterprises to develop strategies and programs that scale to deliver results. Shannan’s current passion projects are promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle through being active in her community through green initiatives, hiking and marathon training.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 – DAY 3 – University of Oklahoma, College of Law

Day 1 tour of the buffalo herd business of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes

Day 1 welcome by Nathan Hart, Executive Director for Business, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes

Nathan Hart is the Executive Director for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ Department of Business. He is guiding the Tribes’ business expansions in the sectors of agriculture, construction, telecommunications, manufacturing, wild land firefighting, along with exploring other new business opportunities. Recent successes in these business sectors have included the landmark soil health agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service establishing a demonstration farm showcasing advanced soil health techniques. This agreement was the first of its kind between the NRCS and an Indian tribe. The Cheyenne Arapaho Business Development Corporation was created in May 2019, to be the holding company for the Tribes’ business entities. The Tribes’ agriculture operations are focused on becoming one of the premier tribal bison operations in the country. Mr. Hart received his bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Administration and Industrial Arts Education from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.

Opening Remarks by Terry Teegee, Regional Chief, British Columbia – Assembly of First Nations

Opening Remarks by Chris James President & CEO, The National Center for American Indian

Enterprise Development (video link)

Chris James has served as the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development since January of 2017. Prior to joining the National Center, Chris was an Associate Administrator at the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA), worked in Native American Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and managed the Sequoyah Fund – an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Mr. James is originally from Cherokee, North Carolina and is of Cherokee descent.

From 2011 – 2016, Chris served as Associate Administrator at SBA, where he was a Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee of President Barack Obama overseeing both the Office of Field Operations, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Office of Native American Affairs. Chris was an active member of the White House Council on Native American Affairs, the White House Rural Council, White House Community Solutions Task Force, and the White House Interagency Group on Insular Affairs.

Panel 8 Presentation: Indigenous Foreign Trade Zones, Border Issues and International Agreements

Facilitator: Mr. Scott Freeny, Senior Legal Director, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Presenters

Dr. Jim Collard

Director – Economic Development

Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Mr. Wayne Garnons-Williams

Senior Lawyer

Garwill Law PC

Panel 9 Presentation: UN Sustainable Development, Environmental Responsibility and Indigenous Trade

Facilitator: Professor Taiawagi Helton, Faculty of Law, University of Oklahoma

In 2001 Taiawagi Helton joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he teaches environmental law, property law, and Indian law. His research emphasizes environmental and natural resources issues relating to Native Americans, as well as nation building in Indian country.

Helton began his legal career as a clerk for the Honorable Robert H. Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has served as a Special Justice for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Supreme Court (2004-2008) and as a member of the Board of Directors of Oklahoma Indian Legal Services. In 2012, Helton received the O.U. Regents’ Award for Superior Teaching, the University’s highest award for teaching excellence.

Helton earned his Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School in 2001. In 1999 he received a juris doctor degree with highest honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulsa Law Journal and earned membership in the Order of the Curule Chair.

Presenters

Prof. Marie-Clare Cordonier Segger (video link)

Senior Director, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, Faculty of Law, McGill University

Professor Dr Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, DPhil (Oxon) MEM (Yale) BCL and LLB (McGill), BA Hons (Carl), serves as Senior Director of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), an international legal research and educational institute in Montreal, Cambridge, Nairobi and Santiago. She serves as Full Professor of Law and BSIA Senior Fellow at the University of Waterloo in Canada; and senior fellow of the Centre for Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Governance in the University of Cambridge in UK. She holds the international Justitia Regnorum Fundamentum Award among other distinctions. With over 20 books and 120+ papers in five languages, she edits the CUP Implementing Treaties on Sustainable Development Series, and serves on five law journal boards, having co-founded three. She also holds 20 years of international treaty negotiations and capacity-building experience that spans 79 countries of the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, advising United Nations treaty negotiations and organizations, serving as Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC COP Climate Law and Governance Initiative; Chair of the CBD Law & Governance Initiative; and Rapporteur of the International Law Association’s Committee on Sustainable Resources Management. Among other posts, she has served as Senior Legal Advisor to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; Senior Legal Advisor to the UNFCCC COP Presidency, also Senior Legal Expert, Sustainable Development, for the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).

Konstantia Koutouki (video link)

Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal

Lead Counsel of Natural resources at CISDL

Professor, Faculté de droit, Université de Montréal, President of ILA-Canada, Lead Counsel of Natural Resources at CISDL and Executive Director of Nomomente Institute

Her research examines the links between international trade, intellectual property, and environmental protection. She has extensive experience working on issues concerning international sustainable development law especially as it relates to the social, economic and cultural development of Indigenous and local communities, as well as the preservation of natural spaces and traditional knowledge, particularly traditional medicine and agriculture. She has first-hand experience with Indigenous and local communities around the world, where she has spent much time as a guest and researcher. She also holds (jointly) the Chair on Social Impacts of Conservation at McGill University.

Panel 10 Presentation: Indigenous Trade & Enterprise in Oklahoma

Facilitator: Ms. Gena Timberman, President, Luksi Group

Since 1999, Gena has committed her professional career to the pursuit of making the dream to build an American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma a reality. As the leader of a state agency, the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority, and Director of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, Gena lead the development of a nearly 300-acre site on the Oklahoma River envisioned to be the future home of a world-class cultural destination.

Her notable awards include: Journal Record’s OKC Business 40 Under 40, Oklahoma Magazine 40 Under 40, Native American 40 Under 40 presented by National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and The National Indian Gaming Association, Native American Woman of the Year, State of Oklahoma Native American Service Award, and selection as a Native Daughter by University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In 2013, Gena formed Luksi Group, LLC, a consulting business that provides cultural direction for creative design. From cultural destinations to events, Gena draws from her talents and experience to plan successful and sustainable projects in Indian Country…projects that uplift relationships and reflect the diverse and beautiful values of our Native cultures.

Presenters

Ms. Valerie Devol

Managing Partner, Devol & Associates

Valerie Devol is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has an MBA from the University of Missouri, where she also accomplished a JD as well as a LLM in Taxation. She has practiced law for twenty years. Since 2013, Ms. Devol has been the owner and managing partner of Devol and Associates, a full-service boutique law firm, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Her fields of expertise include business and personal tax law, estate and tax planning, and resolving myriad state and federal tax controversies. Ms. Devol is also accomplished in tribal, municipal and business development law – for established as well as start-up businesses. She frequently speaks on issues of taxation and government action and is a vibrant contributor to Internal Revenue Service and Small Business Association rule-making efforts affecting business regulations.

Ms. Jonna D. Kauger Kirschner

Senior Vice President Economic Development

Chickasaw Nation Industries

Before joining CNI, she served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce where she had been General Counsel for over ten years.

Keynote Speech by Mr. Douglas George, Acting Consul General for Canada in Dallas

Douglas George is currently the Acting Consul General to the South Central United States, based in Dallas and covering Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Prior to arriving in Dallas he was Consul General of Canada in Detroit from 2014 to 2018 and was responsible for the States of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. He is a career diplomat with more than 35 years of experience.

Recognized as a trade policy expert, Mr. George has worked in numerous economic posts at Global Affairs Canada, including the Commercial Policy Division, the GATT Division, and the US Trade and Economic Policy Division. He served as Senior Departmental Advisor to Canada’s Minister of International Trade as well as Director of the Softwood Lumber Division, the Intellectual Property Trade Policy Division, and the Tariffs and Goods Market Access Division.

Abroad, Mr. George served as Canada’s Ambassador to Kuwait. He also directed trade and economic policy issues at the Canadian Mission to the European Union in Brussels as well as leading as a negotiator at the Canadian mission to the GATT/World Trade Organisation in Geneva. He also served in Kingston, Jamaica.

He has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology) from the University of Toronto and his Masters of Business Administration from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Panel 11 Academics perspective on Indigenous Trade: New Zealand, Canada & United States

Facilitator: Professor Taiawagi Helton, Faculty of Law, University of Oklahoma

Presenters

Dr. Robert Joseph

Faculty of Law, University of Waikato

Bradford W. Morse

Dean of Law

Thompson Rivers University

Dr. Lindsay Robertson

Faculty Director, Center for the Study of American Indian Law and Policy, College of Law, University of Oklahoma, Norman

Panel 12 Presentation: Green Energy & Advanced Energy Systems for Agricultural Fertilizers

Facilitator: Ms. Kaycie Sheppard, Executive Officer & General Counsel, Chickasaw Nation, Department of Commence

Presenters

Mr. Troy Jerome

President & CEO

Sen’ti – Environmental and Indigenous Services

Troy is a Dynamic Senior Advisor with over twenty years of experience spearheading a multitude of political and organizational initiatives bringing forth Indigenous governance and economic interests. Exemplary skills in interest-based negotiations, building teams and partnerships, strategic planning and project management. Persistent and proficient at delivering results execution) through, effective negotiations, leadership and strong interpersonal skills. Successful in creating and leading core project teams, providing results necessary for creating stability and growth.

Mr. Sanford Beaver Paul

Industrial & Partner Relations

Sen’ti – Environmental and Indigenous Services

Beaver Paul is a member of the Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick. For over 30 years, he has worked within the federal public service, private sector and First Nation governments. Mr. Paul is currently a Partner with Germain Paul and Associates (GPA) focused on assisting First Nation governments to establish and achieve their strategic objectives.

Most recently he has worked on Energy East Pipeline Project as an advisor on Aboriginal Supply Chain. Prior to the Energy East Pipeline project he worked with the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat to develop a training program and assist with pursuing a 150 MW Mesgi’g Ugjus’s’n Wind Farm that will be constructed in 2015.

Prior to establishing GPA he was the Regional Manager for the National Centre for First Nations Governance where he worked closely with First Nation governments to develop and improve governance systems and institutional structures. In the past he held the position of President & Chief Executive Officer of the Tobique Economic Development Corporation where he was responsible for the establishment and management of five band-owned companies operating in forestry, fishery, construction, trucking and retailing sectors.

Panel 13 Presentation: Oklahoma American Indian Business – A plan for Success

Facilitator: Ms. Gena Timberman, President, Luksi Group

Presenters

Mr. Bailey Walker

President

American Indian Chamber of Commerce For Oklahoma

Bailey Walker serves as the Director of Tribal Relations for Tribal Diagnostics LLC. Previously serving as the Chickasaw Nation Preferred Vendor Program Coordinator. His advocacy on behalf of the vendors aspiring to do business with the Chickasaw Nation & other tribal nations is tireless. Mr. Walker earned a degree B.S. in Entrepreneurship from East Central University, a Gaming Management Certification from University of Nevada Reno (UNR), and certified Master Business Consultant with the Association of Accredited Business Consultants.

Although he was a Chickasaw entrepreneur long before that time. He has a unique personal and professional knowledge of issues that many minority business owners encounter and utilizes his experiences to help other minority entrepreneurs navigate small business challenges. Bailey is active in the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma, first serving as an Advisory Board Member, State Board Member, Vice President, President Elect, and now State President.

In 2016, Bailey accepted an opportunity to help build a pilot program Leadership Native Oklahoma, the first of its kind; to assist future leaders in tribal governments & sovereignty. Mr. Walker participated alongside the first inaugural class of 2016.

Due to Bailey’s advocacy for native & minority-owned businesses, networking opportunities have increased through his service in the American Indian Chamber of Commerce. He has assisted in the creation of the Durant, Lawton, Poteau, & recently the Miami, OK Chapters in order to promote and enhance the success of small businesses, bringing a total of 7 AICCO Chapters across Oklahoma. A true servant leader, Bailey continues to be a strong advocate for all minority businesses, striving to help them achieve success by practicing the motto “All Nations One Mission”.

Mr. George Tahdooahnippah

Chief Operating officer

Comanche Nation Construction

George ‘Comanche Boy’ Tahdooahnippah is the Chief Operating Officer of Comanche Nation Construction, LLC., a federally chartered company of Comanche Nation Enterprises, Inc. Comanche Nation Construction, LLC (CNC), established in 2009, is a fast-growing, professional, and prudent General Contractor for all types of Construction and Operations & Maintenance activities.

Tahdooahnippah earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cameron University in Lawton, OK. George is a successful Native American role model. He is a college graduate, a husband and loving father, actively involved in his community and a proven professional boxing champion known by all as, “Comanche Boy.” Audiences of all ages are inspired by George. He has been chosen as the 2012 American Indian Expo Celebrity Indian of the year, 2011 Top 40 Under 40 Native Americans in the United States for his efforts and success in Indian Country, and received a Goodwill Ambassador Award from World Boxing Council (WBC) for his tireless work to help prevent and fight diabetes and being a champion boxer.

Mr. Enoch Kelly Haney

Artist, Politician and Statesman

Kelly Haney is an internationally recognized artist who has exhibited throughout the United States, England, Austria, and Asia. He works primarily in both small and monumental scale, commission-based sculpture. His art has received many awards and recognition. He has received the title of Master Artist of the Five Civilized Tribes. In addition to decades of success as a painter, Kelly became the highly esteemed creator of the 22-foot, bronze sculpture entitled, The Guardian that was chosen to top the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome.

Kelly is the only full blood American Indian to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature. He is Seminole/Creek and enrolled in the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. In 2005, after two decades of accomplishments in the State Legislature, Kelly Haney was sworn into the office of Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.