CCBC 2024 Indigenous Business Mission to China
Connecting Indigenous Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to China
November 13-15, 2024
As Indigenous businesses, development corporations and business organizations pursue growth and build infrastructure, China’s growing market poses unique opportunities. China’s growing consumer market and demand for natural resources offer immense potential for Indigenous businesses seeking diversification and expansion.
Business Mission to China; November 13-15, 2024
This November, the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) will lead a group of up to 15 delegates who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis (hereinafter referred to as “Indigenous”) entrepreneurs, economic development executives, and Indigenous leaders on a business mission to Beijing, China, to build connections and partnerships that help delegates develop export markets and sources of investment to facilitate exports. CCBC has been leading business missions to China for over 40 years and this is our third business mission to China focused on Indigenous groups. This Mission aims to connect Indigenous businesses and organizations with significant opportunities in the Chinese market.
The Mission will offer a series of activities, curated meetings, and business interactions to help delegates enhance their knowledge of business in China, broaden their in-market networks, and achieve their business goals. The three-day Mission program will encompass CCBC’s AGM as well as unique delegation-specific visits, meetings, and activities in Beijing.
Draft Mission Itinerary:
- October 29, 12 pm – 2 pm EDT – 2-hour Zoom pre-Mission workshop (Topics include: Introduction to CCBC; China market overview; Cultural session; and Legal structures and considerations for Chinese partnerships)
- November 12 – Evening meet and greet to meet other Mission delegates (optional)
- November 13 – Mission Day 1 – Meetings and visits in Beijing
- November 14 – Mission Day 2 – Meetings and visits in Beijing
- November 15 – Mission Day 3 – Afternoon Mission Roundtable in Beijing, plus complimentary access to CCBC’s 46th AGM & Business Dinner in Beijing
A detailed agenda will be provided to accepted delegates.
Program content and timing are subject to change without notice.
The mid-November timing of this program allows delegates to combine Mission participation with attendance at key trade events like CIIE (China International Import Expo) in Shanghai (November 5-10) and FHC (FHC Shanghai Global Food Trade Show) in Shanghai (November 12-14).
CCBC thanks Mission Co-Chairs Grand Chief Edward John and Ms. Karen Ogen, and Mission Advisors Mr. Paul Blom and Mr. Wei SHAO, for their support in navigating cultural sensitivity for this program.
Grand Chief Edward John, LL.B.
Elected Chief
Tl’azt’en Nation
CCBC 2024 Indigenous Business Mission to China Mission Co-Chair
Karen Ogen
CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
CCBC 2024 Indigenous Business Mission to China Mission Co-Chair
Biography
Edward John was elected Chief of Tl’azt’en Nation in August 2024. He is also a Hereditary Chief (Lasilyoo) in Tl’azt’en Nation’s traditional system. Tl’azt’en Nation is located in Northern BC.
As an Indigenous leader, Grand Chief John has dedicated his life to the pursuit of social and economic justice for Canada’s Indigenous peoples, having worked in Indigenous politics, business and community development. Grand Chief John was called to the bar as a lawyer in 1980, and holds a B.A. from the University of Victoria (UVic), an LL.B from the University of British Columbia, and Honorary Degrees from UVic and the University of Northern British Columbia.
Grand Chief John is a long serving elected member of the First Nations Summit political executive, which is mandated to carry out specific tasks related to Aboriginal Title and Rights negotiations with the governments of British Columbia and Canada, along with other issues of common concern to First Nations in BC. He was directly involved in the development of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2007. He served two three-year terms as the North American Indigenous Expert Member to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (January 2011 – December 2016), which has a mandate to discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights, and provides advice to the UN.
Biography
Karen Ogen is CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in Canada, with a priority on the environment and First Nations consultation and engagement.
Ms. Ogen brings extensive experience to her role, having served as elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for six years from 2010 to 2016. She was also a council member for the Nation from 1987 to 1990 and again from 2019 to 2022.
She is familiar with the needs of Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia and seeks to increase economic opportunities for First Nations through providing information and education regarding responsible resource development.
While Ms. Ogen recognizes that not all projects will be appropriate for all nations, she hopes to help inspire more First Nations to consider and engage in discussions with industry and government around the possibility of resource opportunities.
Ms. Ogen’s academic background is in social work. She achieved her Master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2007, and graduated from the Indigenous Governance Certificate Program from the University of Victoria in 2010. In August 2022, she successfully completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in the Indigenous Business Leadership program. She is the first in her family and community to attain two Master’s degrees.
Ms. Ogen was named one of the “35 Most Influential Women in BC: The power to disrupt” in March 2016, by BC Business Magazine, and was elected for three consecutive years – 2021, 2022 and 2023 – as one of the Business in Vancouver BC 500: The most influential business leaders in British Columbia, in the Resources: Oil and Gas sector.
Paul Blom
Executive Director
British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Council
CCBC 2024 Indigenous Business Mission to China Mission Advisor
Wei SHAO
Partner
Dentons
CCBC 2024 Indigenous Business Mission to China Mission Advisor
Biography
Paul Blom is a Registered Professional Forester (Ret.) and Registered Professional Biologist. His studies include Mandarin at the Taiwan National Normal University and his five-year tenure in Asia involves service at the Zhejiang Forest and Agriculture University in Zhejiang and with the British Columbia Trade Office in Taiwan.
Mr. Blom coordinated the development of the following province-wide First Nations plans and strategies, which form the basis of the mandate for the First Nations Energy and Mining Council, a policy organization advocating for the 203 First Nations communities in BC:
• First Nations China Strategy: Innovative Partnerships
• BC First Nations Energy Action Plan
• BC First Nations Mineral Exploration and Mining Action Plan
Mr. Blom has been involved in numerous indigenous, provincial and federal missions to China to develop trade opportunities and cultural understandings for First Nations; including the coordination of the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations mission to China to raise a totem pole in Beichuan to commemorate the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake.
Other current projects include:
• Negotiator at the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council/Tl’azt’en Nation reconciliation table with British Columbia and Canada
• First Nations advisor on natural gas pipeline impact benefit agreement negotiations,
• Advisor for the Musqueam First Nation – Canada reconciliation framework,
• First Nations negotiator for numerous mineral exploration agreements in northern British Columbia.
Biography
Wei SHAO is the national practice group co-leader for the Canada China Country Collaboration group and specializes in international business transactions focusing on China. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and project financing, cross-border counseling, and general corporate and commercial transactions.
Mr. Shao has represented Chinese investors and entrepreneurs, sovereign and investment funds, private and public companies as well as major SOEs in various significant transactions in Canada, especially in natural resource and mining. Mr. Shao has also advised Canadian and international companies in natural resources, manufacturing, high-tech, environment, infrastructure and financial transactions in China. He has also provided legal advice to government agencies and diplomatic missions from both Canada and China. He is a frequent speaker at various conferences on matters related to investment in or from China.
Prior to his legal career Mr. Shao worked for the United Nations in New York. He is an interpreter accredited by the United Nations and by the federal government of Canada. As an interpreter or consultant, Mr. Shao has been involved in numerous ministerial and prime ministerial meetings or negotiations between Canada and China.
SPEAKERS
Ran Carter
Chief Representative, Greater China
Export Development Canada
Todd Evans
National Lead, Indigenous Exporters
Export Development Canada
Biography
As the Chief Representative for Greater China, Ran Carter is responsible for leading the overall market coverage strategy and managing EDC’s teams in the region. She joined EDC in 2021 with extensive experience in strategy, business development, and operational management from her previous role as a management consultant. With her experience as a former Canadian expat in Asia, Ms. Carter has on-the-ground experience advising global companies on their regional operations. She has provided valuable insights and facilitated key connections for many Canadian SMEs interested in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Ms. Carter holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Queen’s University. She is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) and currently serves on the Boards for Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) and Canadian International Council’s Edmonton Chapter.
Biography
As National Lead for Indigenous Exporters, Todd Evans’ role is to advance Export Development Canada’s understanding of the needs and challenges of the Indigenous business community, and to lead EDC’s strategy for serving this market. Mr. Evans is responsible for EDC’s engagement with external stakeholders and Indigenous clients. He works closely with his EDC colleagues and senior management to support the growing export needs of Indigenous businesses.
Before joining EDC in 1997, Mr. Evans worked with various public and private sector organizations including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the Economic Council of Canada, and the Conference Board of Canada. He has a BA degree in economics and statistics from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a MA degree in economics from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Evans is honoured in representing his Mi’kmaw nation and culture. He is a traditional pow wow dancer and plans to spend a lot more time on the pow wow trail when he retires.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
This Mission is designed to serve the interests of Indigenous entrepreneurs and economic development organizations who have an interest in doing business with China. Representatives of Indigenous businesses and organizations who are interested in investment to support their exporting activities, and/or have other business interests, are welcome to apply.
This Mission is open to CCBC members and non-members, offering priority to members. Delegates and organizations with no prior China market experience are welcome to apply.
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE MISSION
The Mission utilizes CCBC’s China expertise, leverages trusted partnerships, and offers a structured and personalized approach to provide delegates a deep dive into the Chinese market. Benefits include:
- Nurture and develop business relationships: CCBC will create an environment where long-standing business relationships can be built. The Mission will bring new connections and help nurture existing relationships. Delegates can leverage the Mission as a springboard to access the Chinese market by taking advantage of CCBC’s established business activities, like the AGM Business Forum and Business Dinner on the last day of the program.
- Structured and personalized approach: CCBC will organize tailored meetings and visits to maximize delegate success. CCBC will endeavour to arrange two curated introductions for each delegate/company. We will work these meetings into various parts of the Mission.
- Capacity building: Obtain, improve, and retain skills and resources needed for your organization to grow and become more competitive.
- CCBC’s China expertise: CCBC is well-positioned to provide invaluable market knowledge, navigate business practices, and access key networks. The Mission includes access to CCBC’s flagship event of the year, the 46th AGM Business Forum and Business Dinner, which is attended by nearly 400 business leaders and dignitaries.
- Trusted partnerships: We work with our trusted partners to leverage their expertise and connections, and strengthen the Mission’s reach and value proposition. We are pleased to have Grand Chief Edward John and Ms. Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance, as Mission Co-Chairs.
Click here to see photos from the 2023 Indigenous Trade Mission to China.
HOW TO APPLY
Fill out the application form here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Due to high demand last year, we recommend applying early. CCBC reserves the right to select delegates best aligned with the Mission’s goals.
Mission fee for each delegate is C$1,500 + tax. This includes all Mission program activities, including meetings, local transportation, interpretation support for meetings, most meals from November 13-15, 2024. Delegates are required to pay their own airfare and hotel. CCBC will provide a discounted rate at a preferred hotel. Delegates are encouraged to find funding to cover costs associated with the Mission.
CIIE PROGRAM
CCBC is organizing a B2B program for Canadian companies participating in CIIE (China International Import Expo). Please contact edward@ccbc.com.cn for more information.
For more information on eligibility, time commitment, fees, and travel/accommodation, please contact Lotta Ygartua, Regional Director, Western Canada, at lotta@ccbc.com. Please also reach out for sponsorship queries.
FROM PAST MISSION DELEGATES