Welcometo TechNations 2024 about

From Blueprints to Boot Prints - Building the future for First Nations Housing and Infrastructure

TechNations is the premier technical advisory services conference for First Nations in Ontario. Since its inception, the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation has hosted an annual conference with the purpose of providing a forum where First Nations leadership, technical staff, and others could come together, learn about new best practices, network, and improve the quality of life in their communities.

2024 Conference Highlights:

  • 200 Technical Service staff in attendance
  • 30+ Speakers
  • 20 Tradeshow Booths
  • Networking opportunities
  • Entertainment
  • & more!

Whyshould I attend? top reasons

  • TechNations brings together over 200 Indigenous professionals from across Ontario, providing an excellent platform to expand your professional network.
  • Connect with industry leaders, Tribal Councils, and potential collaborators, fostering relationships that can help your communities technical services needs.
  • Discover new trends, best practices, and innovative approaches that can elevate First Nations housing and infrastructures.
  • Celebrate Indigenous excellence in technical services and innovation. Learn about ground-breaking projects, initiatives, and achievements within the Indigenous technical services community, and contribute to the ongoing growth and recognition of Indigenous talent in the industry.
  • If you're a student or aspiring professional, TechNations provides a valuable platform to learn from seasoned professionals, explore career options, and gain practical advice for entering technical services work force.
why attend

Pre conference Golf Tournament! August 20th.



Agendaof the event schedule

August 21, 2024

August 21, 2024 09:00

Introduction of Conference Facilitator

Stephanie Pangowish

August 21, 2024 09:05

Opening

August 21, 2024 09:20

Welcoming Addresses

Melanie Debassige

August 21, 2024 09:25

Open Address

August 21, 2024 09:30

Keynote Address

Victoria Labillois

August 21, 2024 10:15

HEALTH BREAK

August 21, 2024 10:30

Breakout 1: Radon in Canada – Reducing Radon exposure from the Ground Up

Pam Warkentin

August 21, 2024 10:30

Breakout 2: Exploring a community-led framework for First Nation Source Water Protection Planning

Erica Tropea

Dr. Deborah McGregor

August 21, 2024 10:30

Breakout 3: Shoal Lake 40 First Nations Success Story: An example of Planning to Construction

Craig Baker

Billy Wahpay

Liz Ricklefs

Joanna Recollet

Richard Weiss

August 21, 2024 11:15

Return to Plenary

August 21, 2024 11:30

Recognition Award - Terry General

Melanie Debassige

August 21, 2024 12:00

LUNCH & Presentation

August 21, 2024 12:30

Two Row Housing Library Presentation

August 21, 2024 13:00

Breakout 1: Healing our home: Moose Cree Housing Design Prototype

Bohdana Innes

August 21, 2024 13:00

Breakout 2: Change Management Unveiled: Best Practices from Hiawatha's Water Treatment Plant Team

Hayley Vogler

Mackenzie Brown

Alper Ozer

John Tourangeau

August 21, 2024 13:00

Breakout 3: Indigenous Inclusion and Benefit Plans for Community Housing and Infrastructure Projects

Michael Jacobs

August 21, 2024 13:45

HEALTH BREAK

August 21, 2024 14:00

Breakout 1: Empowering First Nations Through Data Sovereignty: The Role of Regional Information Governance Centers in Engineering Housing and Infrastructure

Olivia Craggs

Mariette Sutherland

August 21, 2024 14:00

Breakout 2: Preventing the Formation of Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water

Gregory T. Koncan

Julie Darlow

August 21, 2024 14:00

Breakout 3: Naicatchewenin First Nation (NFN) Asset Management Initiative

Guy Felio

Darlene Smith

Wayne Smith

August 21, 2024 14:45

HEALTH BREAK

August 21, 2024 15:00

Tradeshow Exhibition

August 21, 2024 15:45

Closing Remarks

Melanie Debassige

August 21, 2024 16:30

Closing Remarks

Stephanie Pangowish

August 22, 2024

August 22, 2024 09:00

Recap of Day 1 – Day 2 Objectives

Stephanie Pangowish

August 22, 2024 09:15

OFNTSC Organizational Updates

Melanie Debassige

August 22, 2024 10:00

Health Break

August 22, 2024 10:15

Breakout 1: 3D Inspections and Authority Having Jurisdiction

John Kiedrowski

August 22, 2024 10:15

Breakout 2: Future-Proofing Slow Sand Filtration: Adding Ancillary Technologies to a Time-Tested Science to Solve Modern Day Drinking Water Challenges

Bob LeCraw

Kristof Karpiuk

August 22, 2024 10:15

Breakout 3: Prepare for the procurement and acquisition of an Asset Management System

Christopher Roth

August 22, 2024 11:00

Health Break

August 22, 2024 11:15

Keynote: Decolonizing Energy and Mining: Perspectives from an Anishinaabe Engineer for a Just Energy Transition Strategy

Kaella-Marie Earle

August 22, 2024 12:00

LUNCH & Student Award Presentation

Melanie Debassige

August 22, 2024 13:00

Breakout 1: CWC – WoodWorks Ontario: Accessing Technical Resources and Project Support for Sustainable Wood Construction

Hailey Quiquero

Brock O’Donnell

Steven Street

August 22, 2024 13:00

Breakout 2: Bishop Water Technologies – Extending the life of lagoon infrastructure with simple, low-energy solutions

Kevin Bossy

August 22, 2024 13:00

Breakout 3: SCADA, Power Beyond the Acronym, And Guidelines for Maintaining Your Systems

Adam Plumstead

August 22, 2024 13:45

HEALTH BREAK/TRANSITION

August 22, 2024 14:00

Breakout 1: Resiliency and Construction Risks in the North: Providing infrastructure upgrades for aging Infrastructure in Weenusk First Nation.

Bander Abou Taka

August 22, 2024 14:00

Breakout 2: What you need to know to help make well informed decisions for your water treatment system upgrade/expansion projects

Grant Cambell

Darren Radey

August 22, 2024 14:00

Breakout 3: Implementing Improvements to Waste Management Infrastructure

Darren Dickson

August 22, 2024 14:45

HEALTH BREAK/TRANSITION TO PLENARY

August 22, 2024 15:00

Closing Remarks

Stephanie Pangowish

Oursponsors

FAQFrequently Asked questions inquire


The theme signifies a shift from planning to action in advancing First Nations housing and infrastructure. It emphasizes the need to move beyond theoretical frameworks (blueprints) and into tangible progress and implementation (boot prints), showcasing active involvement and real-world impact. With a focus on building a better future, the conference aims to address pressing challenges and seize opportunities in First Nations housing and infrastructure, promoting sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions that will benefit generations to come.

By concentrating efforts on these critical areas, the conference seeks to foster collaboration, share best practices, and inspire meaningful change in First Nations communities, ultimately improving quality of life and advancing community development.

In addition to a new and stronger emphasis on First Nations housing and infrastructure at this year’s TechNations, we’ve invited our presenters to focus their sessions on innovation and potential new creative solutions to improving Housing and Infrastructure in First Nations communities along with topics from the following areas:

  • Water & Wastewater
  • Operations and Maintenance
  • Housing & Infrastructure
  • Fuel Systems Management
  • Fire & Safety
  • Environment
  • Engineering

Our goal to support the advancement of resilient, self-determining Nations starts with making sure they are fully equipped to sustain their communities for future generations.

Yes, you’ll need to fill out our registration form to gain access to the event. Please fill in the registration form with some basic information to get started.

The information you provide upon registration will only be used to establish you as a user on the platform and to create your login credentials. It will not be used for any other purposes.

Yes, the vFairs platform is compatible with any computer or mobile device and any browser.

From Blueprints to Boot prints – Building the future for First Nations Housing & Infrastructure

The theme signifies a shift from planning to action in advancing First Nations housing and infrastructure. It emphasizes the need to move beyond theoretical frameworks (blueprints) and into tangible progress and implementation (boot prints), showcasing active involvement and real-world impact. With a focus on building a better future, the conference aims to address pressing challenges and seize opportunities in First Nations housing and infrastructure, promoting sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions that will benefit generations to come.

By concentrating efforts on these critical areas, the conference seeks to foster collaboration, share best practices, and inspire meaningful change in First Nations communities, ultimately improving quality of life and advancing community development. In addition to a new and stronger emphasis on First Nations housing and infrastructure at this year’s TechNations, we’ve invited our presenters to focus their sessions on innovation and potential new creative solutions to improving Housing and Infrastructure in First Nations communities along with topics from the following areas:

  • Water & Wastewater
  • Operations and Maintenance
  • Housing & Infrastructure
  • Fuel Systems Management
  • Fire & Safety
  • Environment
  • Engineering

No, we are unable to sponsor delegates to attend the conference.

Yes, health breaks will have coffee and snacks and lunch will be provided on both days. There will also be Heur D’ouvres served during the cocktail hour the evening of the first day of the event, August 21st.

Please email events@ofntsc.org and request an invoice if required.

OFNTSC will grant a full refund to any individual who cancels their registration prior to August 1st, 2024. Refunds will not be granted after August 1st, 2024.

Important note: Registrants are responsible for canceling their own travel arrangements (airline, rental car, and/or other ground transportation and parking, hotel, and any applicable fees).

To view the terms & conditions, please click here