Let the matchmaking begin

The Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA) stages its inaugural event in Thunder Bay, June 11-12.

The fledgling organization has teamed up with event organizers Advanced Business Match to stage ABM Indigenous: Ontario North, in the Scandia Ballroom at the Valhalla Inn.

• The event is a forum for Indigenous and non-Indigenous small and medium-sized businesses to find partners and engage industry to get in on the procurement process for existing and upcoming developments.

ABPA launched last March as a vehicle for Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners to increase their regional presence and make inroads into the project supply chain in Northern Ontario.

Northern Ontario, the northwest in particular, has a lot going on the development front with the start of construction this year on two major power line projects; the $1.6-billion Watay Power transmission line and the $777-million East-West Tie transmission line around the north shore of Lake Superior.

There are several mine developments in the hopper with Greenstone Gold’s open-pit near Geraldton, Pure Gold’s Madsen project outside of Red Lake, Treasury Metals’ Goliath open-pit and underground project near Dryden, plus all the engineering and environmental planning going on for the access corridor to the Ring of Fire in the Far North. 

Opening the event will be ABPA President Jason Rasevych, Advanced Business Match partner Katrin Harry, Victor Pelletier of Fort William First Nation, and Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro.