2025 NCRW Agenda
Join us in the Makozhe Ballroom of the Wyndham Gardens, Winnipeg Airport for the Conference
- Tuesday 21 Oct 2025
- Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
- Thursday 23 Oct 2025
Tuesday 21 Oct 2025
8:00 am
Breakfast & Registration
9:00 am
Welcome & Host Nation Introductions
A welcome from the NCRW Planning Committee and our host, the Grand Council of Treaty 3, Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research (GCT3-TARR) Program.
Elder Don Jones will provide the opening welcome to NCRW delegates
Creation of Urban Reserves
Rhonda Sumner, Wyndham Garden Winnipeg AirportMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Terry Myran about the creation and importance of urban reserves to First Nations.
9:45 am
Session 1: Commitments to Reform
Moderator: Jody Woods, UBCIC
This fireside chat will discuss recent reform efforts, the challenges and changes after the federal election this past spring.
Specific Claims Update
Assembly of First NationsMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Branden Trochymchuk, Lindsey Louis of the Assembly of First Nations on updates related to Specific Claims.
Updates on Reform Efforts
CanadaMakozhe Ballroom
10:15 am
Break
Take a 15-minute health break.
10:30 am
Session 2: Report out on Funding Data and Advocacy Efforts
Moderators: Morgan Chapman and Jody Woods
This panel will allow the National Claims Research Directors to report out on funding data received from Canada, and self-reported by First Nations and CRUs, as well as the results of our advocacy efforts that ramped up once again in July 2025. Cross-Sector Initiatives (CSI) will also join the panel to report out on their funding cycle.
We also want to hear from you – what has been happening in your region since your offer letter arrived?
Crunching the Data
Morgan ChapmanMakozhe Ballroom
Review the funding data available to the National Claims Research Directors (NCRD) and what it tells us about funding in FY 2025-2026 and beyond.
Funding Report from Cross-Sector Initiatives
Claudia Desaulniers and Marie-Laurence Daigle, CSIMakozhe Ballroom
Cross-Sector Initiatives (CSI or the Funders) will present an update from this fiscal year.
Advocacy FY 2025 and beyond
Jody Woods
Jody will provide a comprehensive look at the impact of the funding data on First Nations, and the advocacy work that has been undertaken on this critical issue.
12:00 pm
LUNCH
Join us for lunch and refreshments
1:00 pm
Session 3: Breakout Workshops
Sit in on one of two engaging sessions related to claims research and development including the importance of translation, and helping Research Directors navigate the upcoming call for proposals window.
The Nuance of Document Translation
Laurie LeClaireMakozhe Ballroom
Learn more about the importance of focusing on translating historical documents…
1:45 pm
Session 4: Roundtable on the Implications of Research Funding Cuts
Moderators: Morgan Chapman, Jody Woods
Moderators Morgan and Jody will facilitate a conversation from the floor on the impacts of research funding cuts received in June/July 2025, and the mid-year top-ups landing in September.
Fireside Chat
Morgan Chapman & Jody WoodsMakozhe Ballroom
Jody and Morgan invite speakers from the floor or online via Zoom to touch on the following possible discussion topics:
- What are the known impacts, and your mitigation strategies to navigate these times of cuts, and then mid-year top ups?
- Oral histories and impacts to research
- Record Acquisition at Museum and Archives
- Translations
2:30 pm
BREAK
Enjoy your 15 minute health break
2:45 pm
Session 5: History of CRU and TARR Programs
Moderator: Jody Woods, UBCIC
History of the UBCIC CRU
Angie Bain & Syr ReifsteckMakozhe Ballroom
Angie Bain will provide an overview of the history of the UBCIC research unit.
History of TARR Manitoba
Morgan Brightnose & Gordon BlackburdeMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Morgan and Gordon on how TARR MB was formed, and its mandate to conduct claims research and maintain a historical archive on behalf of their member Nations.
History of ANS
Alison McBrideMakozhe Ballroom
History of CMM
James LasagaMakozhe Ballroom
History of GCT3-TARR
Elder Don JonesMakozhe Ballroom
History of NNTC
Shannon Williams & Serena HunsbedtMakozhe Ballroom
4:15 pm
Session 6: Breakout Technical Sessions
Take advantage of one of the two technical sessions to chose from:
Microsoft Office How-To’s
Morgan ChapmanMakozhe Ballroom
How can you leverage our key “tools of the trade” to create the most efficient workflow in your claims research process – without another hit to your budget!
5:00 pm
Closing Remarks & Housekeeping
The Host Nation will offer concluding remarks and the planning committee will provide any housekeeping items for the day or heading into day 2.
6:30 pm
MEET & GREET
Join us for your evening meal, and to socialize with other attendees to the conference.
Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
8:00 am
Breakfast & Registration
9:00 am
Welcome and Host Nation Presentation
The NCRW Planning Committee addresses any housekeeping, and we hear from our Host Nations again
Southwind Decision
Chief Cliff Bull, Lac Seul First Nation & Yana Sobiski, Headwaters LLPMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Chief Cliff Bull (Lac Seul First Nation) and legal counsel Yana Sobiski (Headwaters LLP) on the pivotal Southwind decision.
9:45 am
Session 1: Tentative – Redress
Moderator: Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine
Moderator Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine will offer brief remarks on the importance of incorporating indigenous laws into claims research and negotiations before our panelists will explore UNDRIP, Claims centred on Women and the potential impact to the identification and settlements of specific claims
UNDRIP and Redress
Brenda Gaertner, Mandell Pinder LLPMakozhe Ballroom
Women and Redress
Sarah Hunt (Virtual)Makozhe Ballroom
10:45 am
Break
Take a 15 minute health break.
11:00 am
Session 2: Genealogy
Moderator: Judy Wilson
This panel will dive into the unique work necessary to complete First Nations genealogy, and a new set of records from the Hudson’s Bay Archive this can help with this important work!
Index of Indigenous Names at HBCA
Julianna Trivers, HBCAMakozhe Ballroom
First Nations Genealogy
Dr. Alex Tryhub & Cheyenne SmithMakozhe Ballroom
12:00 pm
LUNCH
Join us for lunch and refreshments.
1:00 pm
Session 3: Technical Session
Resurfacing: New Directions in the Semá:th X̱ó:tsa Specific claim
Chief Dalton Silver, Dr. Meagan Gough and Kristina HannisMakozhe Ballroom
Chief Dalton Silver, Dr. Meagan Gough, and Kristina Hannis will cover new evidence being used in the Semá:th X̱ó:tsa specific claim, including the benefits of using Sema:th’s recently completed multi-year Traditional Land Use and Occupancy Study (TUOS) project.
1:45 pm
Session 4: Dispatches from the Trenches of Negotiations
Moderator: Cheyenne Smith, HCG
This panel will explore way for First Nations to incorporate indigenous ways of knowing, and ways to challenge Canada’s compensation frameworks at the negotiating table.
Considering valuation approaches outside of specific claims: insights and possibilities
Nicole Kaechele, Kaisha Thompson
First Nations across the country are navigating complex negotiations related to compensation for historical harms from a range of impacts, including land and resource dispossession, title and rights infringements, or the breaking of treaty promises. These negotiations require First Nations to consider both strategy and priorities, including what matters most in the specific context and what’s possible within the limitations of any given process. Outside of the specific claims process, compensation valuation approaches are being applied that may offer new insights and possibilities for what has previously been considered ‘compensable’ by the Crown. This presentation will explore these emerging methods, where they are being applied, and what they may offer the specific claims process in terms of achieving the stated intention of compensation outcomes. Recent work completed with First Nation leadership, legal counsel, and practitioners across Western Canada will be presented and discussed.
Community Knowledge and Perspectives in Support of Specific Claim Negotiations
Gordon Lyall & Nicole Talpalaru
After the Government of Canada has accepted a specific claim for negotiations, questions arise at the negotiation table that can be best answered from the lived experience of First Nation community members and their knowledge. To support the negotiations, insight from community Knowledge Holders can assist the First Nation and Canada in reaching agreement on a settlement that better reflects the Indigenous perspective. This presentation shares approaches to community work to support specific claims negotiations and describes deliverables that can be created for negotiation teams as well as the communities.
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Session 5: Fireside Chat on Negotiations
Moderator: Shannon Williams, NNTC
This fireside chat will dive into negotiations matters that could touch on a newer practice of Canada making global offers (and the pro’s and con’s of considering these offers) as well as common issues like consultation fatigue that can occur during the often years-long negotiation process.
Negotiations Management
Cheyenne SmithMakozhe Ballroom
Panelist Cheyenne Smith will reflect on her work helping First Nations manage the negotiations, settlement ratification and settlement implementation processes with First Nations.
Claims Negotiation from a Legal Perspective
Brenda GaertnerMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Brenda Gaertner about her experience acting as legal counsel for First Nations in the negotiation, settlement ratification, settlement implementation and, when necessary, the Specific Claims Tribunal.
3:45 pm
Session 6: Updates from Community
Moderator: Gordon Blackburde, TARR MB
The NCRW is excited to welcome back First Nations to the NCRW who have joined us in past years to share about their Claims settlements and implementation, and to provide us with updates on how the process has moved moved forward over the last year.
Update on Esk’etemc Claims Settlement
Kukpi7 Fred Robbins, Esk’etemc First NationMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Kukpi7 Robbins about the Esk’etemc Claims settlement one year after he shared an update at the 2024 NCRW.
Updates from Flat Bay Band Inc.- No’kmaq Village
Kim LongMakozhe Ballroom
We are excited to welcome back Kim Long from Flat Bay Band Inc.- No’kmaq Village to hear how matters related to their Claims have progressed over the last year.
Kim would also suggest you take in the two following videos:
NCRW Presentation Flat Bay Band Inc. No’kmaq Village Update (2 MB)
Update from Williams Lake First Nation
Chief Willie Sellars, Williams Lake First NationMakozhe Ballroom
Hear from Chief Sellars about how the claims settlements have progressed since we heard from them at last year’s NCRW.
4:45 pm
Canada Responds
Representatives from Canada have an opportunity to reflect on what they have heard during the past two days.
5:00 pm
Closing Remarks & Housekeeping
The host Nation will provide closing remarks and the planning committee will share any housekeeping information about day 3.
Thursday 23 Oct 2025
8:00 am
Breakfast & Registration
9:00 am
Welcome and Host Presentation
The Planning Committee will make any housekeeping announcements for day 3, and we will hear a presentation from the host organization.
Treaty 1 and Treaty 3
Chief EJ FontaineMakozhe Ballroom
Chief EJ Fontaine will talk more about Treaties 1 and 3.
9:45 am
Session 1: Keeping Connected
Moderator: Morgan Chapman
Moderator Morgan Chapman will invite speakers from the floor or online to join her on stage to discuss topics related to keeping researchers connected to the First Nations they serve.
Issues around predatory firms, claims poaching, contingency fees and the unintended costs associated with recent funding cuts to CRUs which could drive First Nations to less stable options for researching their claims are all up for discussion during this panel.
10:45 am
Break
Join us for a health break and light refreshments
11:00 am
Session 2: 📜↔️📄 (aka Tachygraphy or “swift writing”)
Moderator: James Lasaga
Language and records management is ever-evolving. Today, writers use emoji’s to convey meaning and understanding in their writing, while historically there are different shorthands that were used to conserve paper and time.
Our panelists will explore all things records including Canada’s counter research reports, modernizing the FNDDS and translating shorthand language in historical records.
Evaluating Canada’s Counter Research Reports
Shannon Williams, NNTCMakozhe Ballroom
Migration, Restoration, and Evolving Stewardship of the FNDDS
Melissa Adams & Syr Reifsteck, UBCICMakozhe Ballroom
The First Nations Digital Document Source (FNDDS) is a collection of documents supporting First Nations land rights research. It is owned collectively by CRUs. On behalf of all CRUs, UBCIC cares for and hosts the FNDDS. This presentation will describe a recent large-scale migration project and the new opportunities it presents for access, use and engagement.
Shorthand Language in Historical Records
UBCIC/CMMMakozhe Ballroom
Researchers from Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) will share more about their experiences translating and transcribing the shorthand language that was found in historical records they required for their Claims research.
12:00 pm
LUNCH
Join us for lunch.
1:00 pm
Transport to HBC Archives
Front Lobby
1:45 pm
Hudson’s Bay Company Archives
Join us at the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives for a curated exploration focused on the regions we work, and the records we review from the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Hudson’s Bay Company Archives Orientation
Michelle RydzHudson’s Bay Company Archives
Hear from Michelle Rydz and the team at the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives about researching at the HBCA, and how to best utilize the website and online database to find the information you need.
2:45 pm
Break
Join us for a health break and light refreshments.
3:00 pm
Tour of Visual Vault and Engage with Record Displays
Hudson’s Bay Company Archives staff will be on-site to answer questions and facilitate attendee’s engagement with various record displays.
Concurrently, HBCA staff will take small groups of attendees to tour the Archive’s Visual Vault.
Visual Vault Tour (Multiple Tours)
HBCA StaffHudson’s Bay Company Archives
Join HBCA staff on a tour of the visual vault. Tour is limited to aprox. 10 people at a time and will be offered multiple times over the afternoon.
Explore HBCA Record Displays
HBCA StaffHudson’s Bay Company Archives
Explore the various HBCA Record displays set up around the reading room.
HBCA staff will be on-hand to engage directly with researchers to answer questions, help find records and explore what the HBCA has to offer!
4:45 pm
The Planning Committee and Host Organization offer their closing remarks and send everyone on their way home!