THUNDER BAY — Organizers of the second annual Neeganii-Iishawin gathering said they were overwhelmed with registrants, delegates and representatives.
“We had to cut off the registration opportunity because we maxed out on the number of openings that we had. Just looking at the floor this morning, it's a great number," said John Beardy, director of business development for Windigo Community Development Corporation.
“We're super excited and I'm sure our economic developers will learn a lot and hopefully they'll have something to go back to the communities they can share, plan, implement and deliver to suit their community needs,” he said.
The Neeganii-Iishawin northern economic development gathering kicked off on Tuesday, continuing until Thursday at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay.
Six organizations, representing more than 30 communities across Northwestern Ontario came together to host the conference: Independent First Nations Alliance, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Shibogama First Nations Council, Matawa First Nations, Windigo Community Development Corporation and the ThawiKayhiGan Group.
“The purpose of this gathering is to bring our First Nations economic developers together. Whether it's for training, whether it's bringing ideas for economic development at the community level, we look at the number of ideas that that they can look at, that are relevant and be applied at the community level,” said Beardy.
Speakers were brought in from all across Canada as well from the region, he said.
“It's sharing, learning best practices and just looking for new ideas. We try to gear every presentation or idea that that is relatable, that is doable at the community level, so we always encourage our community representatives to listen and take part as to what they can see here and learn here during the even,” Beardy said.
Beardy said with the success in the first two years, the hope is to continue to host the event each year.
