Join us on Thursday, October 5 as Chief Robert Louie provides an update on the state of Westbank First Nations. He will provide some insight into the economic impact of Indigenous businesses and how we can continue our journey of Truth & Reconciliation.

Attendees will be able to gather insights from the presentation and be given the opportunity to ask specific questions for Chief Louie via Slido.

Registration opens at 11:30AM with the event to begin at Noon.

Purchase Deadline: Tickets MUST be purchased before NOON on Friday, September 29.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received 5 business days prior to the event to be subject for a refund.

Chief Robert Louie Bio:

Robert Louie, LL.B, OC, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow Okanagan College is the Chief (25 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self-Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate development and finance matters and has focused primarily on working for First Nations on land matters throughout Canada. Over the 25-year span as Chief at Westbank First Nation, Robert was President/Director for 30 plus corporations which included construction, forestry, commercial/retail, residential, recreational, and institutional.

Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board (approx. 35 years) and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self-governance. Robert is also the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, which is the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. Robert is a Founding Director and is a shareholder in the Public Company – Decisive Dividends (DE) on TSX Venture, Trustee and Chairman of Apartment Plus REIT, and is a member of the TC Energy Indigenous Advisory Council. Robert is also the owner of Indigenous World Winery and Distillery, Kelowna West Manufacturing Home Park, real estate projects, and several other business endeavours.

Robert is a former practicing lawyer who specialized in native law and was a summer Law Instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.  He is also a former Task Group member elected by the Chiefs in BC serving 4 years on the B.C. First Nations Summit Task Group and was actively involved in B.C. Treaty negotiations representing First Nations.  Robert was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada on October 5^th, 2006 and on June 1^st, 2019, Robert was honored with the recognition of Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College.

Some of the other past numerous boards and special appointments Robert has been active in include: Director of Ecora Engineering and Resource Group Ltd; Director of DAXET Development Corporation (which is owned by T’Sou-ke Nation); Panelist judge on Bears’ Lair TV program on APTN; Indigenous advisor representing Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum, where he networked with other leaders promoting Indigenous economic development and world trade; Board Member with the BC Achievement Foundation and also sat on the Executive Committee; Board of Governor member with UBC; President’s Advisory Council member with UBC-Okanagan; Board Director on the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; President of First Nations Finance Authority Inc.; Board Director with All Nations Trust Co; one of a nine member Premier’s Advisory Council with the Premier of B.C.; Board Director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society.

Robert has been the recipient of many other awards and distinguished presentations including: Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award 2022, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business; Distinguished Alumni Business Administration, Okanagan College; Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership from Aboriginal Financial Officers Association & Xerox Canada; Business Person of the Year, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; President’s Award, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; Recipient of Commemorative Medal for 125^th Anniversary of Canada and the B.C. Academic Scholarship Award.