Indigenous students and graduates have proudly attended the inaugural AOFA Canada International Conference as part of an Australian delegation.
Indigenous students and graduates were invited to attend the inaugural AFOA Canada International Conference last month as part of an Australian delegation.
Indigenous Business Education Program Manager Rebecca Harcourt and alumni spoke on the challenges and opportunities within the intersectionality of Indigenous culture(s) education and business; and innovative approaches to Indigenous Business education, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Alumnus George Brown presented his work with Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council issues on creating income, employment and financial security through environmental sustainable development.
In addition to speaking, Owen Walsh, graduate and Cultural Ambassador, also accepted invitations to play didgeridoo and talk in Wiradjuri language to open several events.
Dylan Booth, graduate and KPMG Australia representative, said he felt "extremely fortunate, humbled and blessed" to have been a part of the Australian delegation.
"What an experience it was to have First Nations peoples from all over the world discussing issues, sharing knowledge, and building a global community of Indigenous professionals," said Mr Booth.
The presentations were well-received, with AFOA later tweeting that "It was such a pleasure to have you @BecHarcourt & to finally meet you. Your entire group was inspirational & engaging!!! Travel safe home new friends of @AFOA_Canada #community of #professionals."
Rebecca Harcourt faciliated the visit to Vancouver, Canada, saying that it was "an incredible opportunity to learn from and exchange diversity of ideas, approaches, culture, challenges and opportunities with other First Nations business leaders from around the world."
Third-year student Jay Edwards also shared his insights on the conference in his article published in The Guardian and with over 35,000 followers on IndigenousX.
The next AOFA International Conference will be held in 2020. AFOA Canada (formerly Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada) was founded as a not-for-profit association in 1999 to help Aboriginal people better manage and govern their communities and organizations through a focus on enhancing finance and management practices and skills.