Isn’t it better when we’re together?

2026 Gathering

January 23-25, 2026 | Rogers Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

You're invited to a national ISET gathering in Ottawa — a chance to share best practices, meet new people, reconnect with colleagues from coast to coast, and leave feeling inspired with fresh ideas to bring back to your community. Join us for meaningful connections, learning, and collaboration.

Workshops, sharing circles, keynote speakers, sharing wisdom and self care sessions.

You deserve this.

Friday 10am-5pm | Saturday 10am-5pm | Sunday 10am-5pm

2026 Gathering Schedule

Friday, January 23rd

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Welcome Registration

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Ice Breaker and Bingo Session

11:35 AM - 11:45 AM

Elder Welcome
by Claudette Commanda

11:45 AM - 11:55 AM

Introduction
by Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada

12:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Workforce Labour Needs Presentations & Lunch
with Keynote Presentation by John Desjarlais at the Indigenous Resource Network

Featuring Presentations from:

EHRC (Electricity Human Resources Canada)
Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC)
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
BuildForce Canada - Construction
Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA)
Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC)
Air Canada - Airline Industry
Pathways Executive Search - Executive, VP and Board Members Roles
Mining Industry Human Resources Council
BioTalent Canada
Project Learning Tree Canada - Forestry
Conference Board of Canada
Tourism HR Canada
and more...

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Networking Session
between ISET Offices and National Sector Councils and National HR Workforce Development Organizations

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Keynote Message Presentation
by Gerald Gosselin, Director General, Indigenous Affairs Directorate

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Métis Jigging Experience
with Madelaine McCallum

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Case Management Best Practices Session
with Bryana Couture

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

TELUS Wise Cyber Safety Presentation & Refreshments Break
by Ashton Singh

4:00 PM - 4:20 PM

Personalizing Employment Services: A Practical Walkthrough Using the Vicinity Jobs Trends Navigator
by Janice Tremblay and Austin Hracs, MNBC and The Conference Board of Canada

4:20 PM - 4:30 PM

Videos Across the Land

4:40 PM - 4:50 PM

Closing Session

5:00 PM

Wrapped for the Day

Saturday, January 24th

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM EST

Welcome Registration

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Ice Breaker and Bingo Session

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Self Care Session
by PwC and TELUS

12:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Champion Awards Lunch
presented by BMO and Victoria LaBillois

Award Categories:

Indigenous Skill and Employment Educational Partner Award
Indigenous Skill and Employment Legend (20+ years) Award
Indigenous Skill and Employment Leader (30+ years) Award
Indigenous Skill and Employment Manager Award
Indigenous Skill and Employment Office Award
Indigenous Skill and Employment Partner Award (NGO, Charity, Non-Profit)
Corporate Indigenous Skill and Employment Champion
Indigenous Skill and Employment Champion - One to Watch

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Keynote Message Presentation
by Madelaine McCallum

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

First Nation Dancing Experience
by Madelaine McCallum

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Data Discussion Presentation
by Julie Cyr, WTES Coordinator at the Wabun Tribal Council

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Mentorship Matters Presentation & Refreshments Break
with Colby Delorme, President of the Imagination Group Inc

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Video Storytelling - Travel Across the Land

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Networking Break

4:50 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Session

5:00 PM

Wrapped for the Day

Sunday, January 25th

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM EST

Welcome Registration

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Ice Breaker and Bingo Session

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Mapping Skills to Education
by Rich Louttet, eCampus Ontario

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Best Practices to Support Safe Spaces and Good Learning Environments for Indigenous Learners - Preparation for Cannexus Presentation

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Indigenous Institutes Presentation & Lunch
with Marsha Joesphs, Executive Director at the Indigenous Institutes Consortium

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Inuit Drumming and Singing
by Nunavut Sivuniksavut

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

AI: How Is It Helpful and How Can It Be Integrated Into Our Work?
by Darian Kovacs

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Mental HealthSupport: Best Practices for Staff and Clients
by Allison Bear, Vice President at Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Video Storytelling - Travel Across the Land

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Bridging Clients to Employment: From Training Plans to Employment Plans & Refreshments Break
by Kerry Smith

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

You Were Made for This World
by Stephanie Sinclair

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Evaluation
with Andrea L.K. Johnston, CEO at Johnston Research Inc.

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Closing Session

5:15 PM

Wrapped for the Day: See You at Cannexus26 and Next Year!

MC & Host

Victoria LaBillois

Wejuseg Construction Inc. & Wejipeg Excavation Inc.

Victoria LaBillois is an entrepreneur and mentor who has integrated leadership and community development throughout her career. She holds a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick and an M.B.A., where she earned the E.D. Maher Graduate Student Prize for top academic standing.
She is president and co-owner of Wejuseg Construction Inc. and owner and president of Wejipeg Excavation Inc., companies that contributed to wind park development in the Gaspésie region while creating employment and economic growth for Mi’gmaq communities.
A respected national and international speaker, Victoria has presented across Canada and globally, including in New Zealand, and has moderated high-profile leadership and reconciliation dialogues involving Indigenous leaders and government ministers.
She mentors Indigenous women through programs at St. Francis Xavier University’s Coady Institute and the JEDI Aboriginal Business Accelerator Program, and has twice been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN.
Deeply involved in her community, Victoria serves on multiple boards, teaches financial literacy to youth, participates in a women’s hand-drum group, and is a sought-after MC and speaker.

Featured Speakers

Gina Wilson

Deputy Minister, Indigenous Services Canada

Gina Wilson is a proud Algonquin woman, grandmother, and the Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada. She also serves as the Champion for Indigenous public servants, advancing reconciliation, inclusion, and systemic change across the federal public service.
Gina began her career in her home community of Kitigan Zibi as Director of Health and Social Services and later served as Chief Executive Officer at the Assembly of First Nations. Since joining the federal government in 1996, she has held senior executive roles at the Privy Council Office, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, the Correctional Service of Canada, and Public Safety Canada.
A defining moment in her career was leading Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, where she oversaw the implementation of the Settlement Agreement and supported the Prime Minister’s 2010 apology to Survivors. She has since served in multiple deputy minister roles, including Public Safety Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada, and Diversity and Inclusion and Youth at Canadian Heritage.
Recipient of the 2020 Indspire Award, Gina is recognized for her leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing Indigenous rights and supporting Indigenous public servants. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa.

John Desjarlais

Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network

John Desjarlais is Nehinaw (Cree)-Metis from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. John has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and started his career in 2001 in the mining industry and worked in a variety of roles including E&S, maintenance and reliability engineering management until moving onto executive leadership in economic development and construction. John now serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network as well as Past President of APEGS. John also has extensive regulatory, volunteer, governance, and civil society experience serving on a variety of boards, committees, and other initiatives culminating into several awards over his career recognizing his civil service and servant leadership.

Madelaine McCallum

Gifted dancer, energy mover, facilitator, and MC

Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, energy mover, facilitator, and MC — a true, multi-faceted creative. Originally from Treaty 10 in a Metis community called Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan and brings passion with a gentle yet powerful presence to the stage.
Her journey has not always been easy, but Madelaine's story is one of resilience and transformation. Leaving her home community with a commitment to breaking the cycles of addiction, her experiences are a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. This personal growth informs her work, whether she is inspiring audiences as a energy mover or connecting with others through her captivating dance performances.
As a dancer, Madelaine embodies an authentic connection that resonates deeply with audiences, blending grace and raw emotion. As a speaker and facilitator, she creates an atmosphere of inclusivity, encouraging others to tap into their own potential and self-belief. With her ability to weave powerful stories, both on and off the stage, she helps others feel the invisible threads of connection that bind us all, offering hope, healing, and the reminder that we are enough, as we are.

Julie Cyr

Data Management Specialist

Julie is a proud member of Matachewan First Nation, dedicated to advancing indigenous programs for nearly 20 years. Her experience spans administration, health, and education, with a primary focus on employment and training initiatives. As a data management specialist, she is passionate about leveraging technology to build comprehensive digital workspaces that streamline the day-to-day operations of indigenous programs. Julie’s work centers on creating solutions that empower teams and improve program outcomes. Most notably, she developed the Amalgamated Management Program (AMP), a data workspace solution designed to enhance the management and effectiveness of indigenous programming.

Stephanie Sinclair

Publisher of McClelland & Stewart

Stephanie Sinclair is Publisher of McClelland & Stewart, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada. She is a Cree, Ojibwe, and German/Jewish settler. She is a fierce advocate and activist, serving as a mentor and curator, and organizing publishing events to challenge colonial practices in publishing and to advance the work of reconciliation.

Gerald Gosselin

Director General of the Indigenous Affairs Directorate at Employment and Social Development Canada

Gerald Gosselin is a Red River Metis and Director General of the Indigenous Affairs Directorate at Employment and Social Development Canada. With over 25 years in the federal public service, he leads national Indigenous policy, including the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program, the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF), and the Indigenous Labour Market Information (ILMI) Initiative. Gerald’s primary work focuses on advancing Indigenous-led workforce development, strengthening partnerships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations, and aligning federal investments to support Indigenous economic participation and long-term prosperity. Gerald was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Colby Delorme

Co-founder and Chairperson of Influence Mentoring Society

Colby Delorme is the co-founder and Chairperson of Influence Mentoring Society, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous post-secondary students through culturally grounded mentorship and relationship-building. With more than 31 years of entrepreneurial and governance experience, Colby is also President of the Imagination Group of Companies and has built businesses spanning construction, branding, certification, franchise development, ceremonial tobacco manufacturing, and consulting.
A proud Métis leader, Colby holds an ICD.D designation and has been recognized with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Calgary Top 40 Under 40, the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award, and the 2025 Indspire Award for Business & Commerce. His work continues to focus on creating meaningful, sustainable opportunities for Indigenous youth and communities.

Austin Hracs

Director of Strategic Partnerships and Accounts at the Conference Board of Canada

Austin Hracs is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Accounts at the Conference Board of Canada. He leads national collaborations focused on real-time labour market intelligence and skills development. Austin has spent more than a decade studying how labour market data can improve employment services and help post-secondary institutions design programs that meet real labour market needs. He works closely with instructional designers and academic leaders to understand how they assess new program ideas and builds tools that support decisions that lead to positive employment outcomes for learners.

Austin has worked with employment service providers across provinces to understand workflows that put job seekers at the centre. He knows that no two communities are the same and that every person’s path to employment is different. His work helps teams across Canada use the Vicinity Jobs Trends Navigator to strengthen program planning, employer engagement, and personalized client support.

Elder Claudette Commanda

University of Ottawa Professor

Elder Claudette Commanda is an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation located in the province of Quebec. An alumni of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law and Faculty of Arts, Claudette has dedicated the last 35 years promoting First Nations people, history, culture and rights in various capacities as a University of Ottawa student, professor, member and chair of the Aboriginal education council; and via public speaking events.
She is a professor for the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Women’s Studies; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Law; and the Aboriginal Studies Program, teaching courses on First Nations Women; Native Education; First Nations People and History; Indigenous Traditions; and Decolonization. In addition, she is the Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, a national organization which protects and promotes First Nations culture, languages and traditional knowledge. She is inducted into the Common Law Honour Society; served two terms on the Board of Governors for the First Nations University of Canada; and three terms on the Kitigan Zibi band council. In 2017, Claudette is the first First Nation appointed Elder in Residence for the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; and the first person of a First Nation heritage to be appointed to the Board of Governors for the University of Ottawa. She is the Special Advisor on Reconciliation, for the Dean, Faculty of Law. Claudette is a proud mother of four and a grandmother to ten beautiful grandchildren, and recently became a great grandmother. In March 2020, Claudette received the 2020 INDSPIRE Award for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality. In November 2022, she was appointed Chancellor for the University of Ottawa. She is the first Indigenous person to be appointed Chancellor of the University. On September 20, 2024, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her advocacy of First Nation people, rights and languages nationally and internationally.

Kerry Smith

Senior Director of Métis Employment & Training with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF)

Kerry Smith is the Senior Director of Métis Employment & Training with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). For over 25 years, Kerry has been dedicated to creating opportunities for Métis people and families through skills training, employment creation, youth development, and education. She currently leads a province-wide department that delivers programs supporting Métis youth leadership, culture, and recreation.
Under Kerry’s leadership, the MMF Employment & Training team has helped more than 45,000 Métis individuals achieve their training and employment goals. These successes include engaging thousands of youth in summer employment, career planning, continued education, and leadership initiatives.
Kerry’s influence extends nationally. She has participated in negotiations for Métis strategies that enhance economic and social outcomes and served on the Future Skills Council, appointed by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion, where she provided advice on emerging skills and workforce trends.
Her passion for Indigenous empowerment and economic development continues to drive positive change for the Métis. Learn more about her work at mmfemployment.ca.

Ashton Singh

TELUS Team Member

Proud TELUS Team Member serving the TELUS customers and the community for over 15 years. A sales professional with over 30 years in the tech industry believes and lives the core TELUS value of Giving where we live. Ashton volunteers at the Ottawa Foodbank, the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, and sits on the TELUS Community Board for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario where he is part of a team supporting TELUS community investment initiatives. There are 13 of these community boards across Canada and 5 globally focused on community investment, and program development.

Janice Tremblay

Manager of Employment Services and Employer Partnerships at Metis Nation BC

Janice Tremblay is the Manager of Employment Services and Employer Partnerships at Metis Nation BC. She leads a team of front-line career counsellors across British Columbia who deliver full cycle employment services as they assist MNBC citizens seeking sustainable careers.

Janice brings with her extensive experience working with people in transition and/or crisis and has crafted an Indigenized process of one-to-one career counselling that is founded on sitting down to have tea together. This allows their staff to meet people exactly where they are and move them toward their own bright futures.

Allison Bear

Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group (SITAG)

A nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) member of the Ochapowace Nation on Treaty 4 territory, Allison lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Outside of her professional work, she is an enthusiastic volleyball and hockey mom, proudly supporting her children and embracing the lessons sport instills—resilience, teamwork, discipline, and confidence. As a residential school survivor, Allison brings powerful lived experience and a deep understanding of the realities many individuals face in pushing past systemic, personal, and intergenerational barriers. This perspective informs her leadership with empathy and compassion, and reinforces her commitment to supporting individuals and communities as they navigate pathways to healing, opportunity, and long-term success.
Currently serving as Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group (SITAG), Allison brings a strong Nation-based and community-centred lens to her transformational leadership style, grounded in accountability, relationship-building, and capacity building for future generations. She has the privilege of providing oversight to a dedicated team that supports 40 sub-agreement holders across Saskatchewan’s First Nation–distinction Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) network. Working collaboratively with partners, Allison is committed to strengthening workforce development systems, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring responsible and values-driven governance across First Nation and Indigenous employment and training programs.

Experiences

Christi Belcourt

Visual Artist

Christi Belcourt (apihtâwikosisâniskwêw / mânitow sâkahikanihk) is a visual artist, environmentalist, social justice advocate, and avid land-based based arts and language learner. She is most well known for her large painted floral landscapes of Metis beadwork.
Christi is a visual artist with a deep respect for the traditions and knowledge of her people. Like generations of Metis artists before her, she celebrates the beauty of the natural world while exploring nature’s symbolic properties.

Inuit Drumming and Singing Workshop

by Nunavut Sivuniksavut

Sharing Inuit culture and building connections.
At Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS), learning about Inuit history and culture is just the beginning. Students also play a vital role in sharing this knowledge with the wider world, becoming ambassadors for Inuit culture, Nunavut, and their communities.
Throughout their time in Ottawa, students engage in meaningful cultural outreach activities, educating local residents and organizations about Inuit history, traditions, and contemporary issues. These experiences not only raise awareness but also empower students to take pride in their heritage and develop invaluable leadership skills.

Robin Sather

LEGO Certified Professional builder, Brickville DesignWorks

Robin has been a professional LEGO® artisan and builder since 2004. He is one of only 24 LEGO Certified Professional builders in the world, and was the first one certified, in 2005. Prior to that, he had an IT career, and was very involved in the LEGO adult fan community. In 2022, he become the on-screen LEGO judge and co-host for the LEGO Masters TV show in New Zealand. Season 2 aired April 2023.

Robin is based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. His company, Brickville DesignWorks, uses LEGO bricks to build amazing creations for public events, exhibits, and private clients. He also creates exciting build opportunities for kids of all ages, does personal appearances, and conducts other interactive workshops. He enjoys all aspects of LEGO creation, and especially likes building big stuff, like rockets, castles, dinosaurs, skyscrapers, robots, and more!

Madelaine McCallum

Gifted dancer, energy mover, facilitator, and MC

Metis Jig: Madelaine has been jigging since she could walk, and she will teach you Metis dance steps in this interactive, high energy dance workshop. It is tailored for all levels and you’ll have a great time (because how can you not when fiddle music is involved!)
Pow Wow: Join Madelaine in this interactive dance workshop and learn traditional approaches to Pow Wow dancing. Learn through movement the cultural significance of Pow Wow dancing and steps to go along with it.

Scholarship Application

We’re actively working with a range of funders to help make ISET Gathering 2026 and Cannexus as accessible as possible. If you require assistance to participate in any part of these events, please complete the application form below.

While we can’t guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled, we’re doing our best to secure support and meet as many needs as possible. Thank you for your interest—we look forward to seeing you there!

Apply Now