This session will begin to provide an overview of provincial operating models and gaming strategies; outline the extent of First Nation gaming opportunities vs. provincial development across Canada; explore the impact of provincial gaming policy on First Nations with speakers addressing the opportunities their First Nations have had within the provincial gaming strategies - both positively and negatively; and explore how First Nations have advanced their gaming proposals to Government in light of provincial gaming policies.

Moderated by:
Ilkim Hincer - Vice President Legal & General Counsel of Casino Rama

Panelists:
Kandice Machado – Manager, First Nations Audit
Jim Engle – Director of Policy of Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Corporation
Don Bourgeois – General Counsel of Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario
Rick Josephson – CEO of Manitoba Gaming Control Commission
Greg Ahenakew – CEO, Indigenous Gaming Regulators
Zane Hansen – President & CEO, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority

This session will discuss First Nations’ economic development both on and off-reserve where the impetus has been gaming but where opportunities have been created in ancillary areas. This session will stress the importance of kick-starting First Nations’ opportunities through First Nations gaming which will add to the general economic development of contiguous areas, and the economic investments, human resource development and portable skills, entrepreneurship and innovation demonstrated by and for First Nations as a result of First Nation gaming.

Panelists:
Harry Oshanski – President & CEO of Casino Rama

This session will explore relationship building between Aboriginal communities and the private sector with speakers from both the private sector and First Nations gaming communities discussing how to build strong mutually beneficial business relationships.

Moderated by:
Jeffery Hewitt - General Counsel of Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Panelists:
Lee Ahenakew - Canadian Council on Aboriginal Business
Michael Novac - CEO, Sonco Gaming

This session will explore financing options available to First Nations for gaming initiatives with representatives from the banking industry and venture capitalists outlining their models of how they arrive at decisions to finance. This will include discussion of provincial growth models and provincial contracts between First Nation governments and provincial governments, business plans, operating models, provincial and First Nation splits, market studies, risk analysis, etc., and how these enter into the financing equation. Provincial officials will discuss their models of assistance in lending based on their strategy of economic development in less than desirable areas of opportunity.

Moderated by:
Eric Luke – Solutions Gaming Inc.

Panelists:
Ali Alizedeh – Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Hemisphere Gaming
Kathryn Graham – Practice Leader, Myers Norris Penny
Robert Scarpelli – Managing Director, HLT Advisory

This session will explore the key human resource management issues in Canadian First Nation gaming operations, and speakers from First Nations casinos from across Canada will share their better practices in addressing these issues.

Moderated by:
Eric Luke – Solutions Gaming Inc.

Panelists:
Debra Pratt – Chief People Officer of Casino Rama
Cheryl Elliott – Director of Human Resources of St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino of the Rockies

This session will explore the potential for increased growth of Aboriginal industries around the First Nations Gaming Industry, and the possible development of Aboriginal procurement strategies by and for First Nations gaming communities.

Panelists:
Pradeep Narayanaswamy - Practice Leader, Supply Chain of Meyers Norris Penny
Kevin Wassegijig - Director of First Nations and Community Affairs of Casino Rama