Program Advisory Committee

Jacob Beaton is founder and President of Copper Moon Communications. A talent for bringing people, ideas and cultural wisdom together distinguishes Jacob as a showcase speaker and acclaimed consultant. With over 10 years experience in technology and creative design, Jacob has brought distinctive projects successfully to life on the web, in print and with immersive video productions. Jacob’s passion for making a positive contribution lead him to produce documentaries confronting sexual abuse and the silence surrounding AIDS, and to share sacred First Nations teachings. Recently, Jacob was featured in the film Out of the Shadows of Silence and was profiled as an aboriginal entrepreneur and emergent video producer in the June 2003 Focus on Women's annual Focus on Men edition.

Caledonia Fred is a member of the Tseshaht First Nation, part of the Nuuchahnulth Nation. Since graduating in 2000 with a diploma in Business Administration – Accounting & Business Information Systems, she has worked with the Nuuchahnulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC), first in developing the Youth Business Program, and then as the Business Services Officer. Over the years, Caledonia has participated in various training opportunities on all aspects of business and governance, and was elected and served two years on her First Nation council. She currently sits on both the NCN Employment & Training and the Indigenous Business Leadership Program advisory committees. She has also participated on various boards and committees such as the Port Alberni Cruise Ship Committee, Tseshaht Finance Committee, and Tseshaht Economic Development Committee.

Brennan MacDonald (Gohn) is the sole proprietor of BSG Communications, which provides stakeholder relations & consultation, strategic planning, event planning, marketing and communications services. Brennan is a member of the Cowichan Tribes of the Coast Salish Nation and has over 15 years of communications experience, including Manager of Communications and Sponsorship for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. In addition to running her own business, Brennan is the Communications Coordinator for the H’ulh-etun Health Society, the Hul’qumi’num Health Working Group and Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre. As the former Communications Manager for the Khowutzun Development Corporation, she developed and implemented successful promotional campaigns for the Khowutzun Mustimuhw Contractors (KMC), the Quw'utsun' Cultural & Conference Centre, Khowutzun Forest Services, KMJ Kitchen & Bath Centre, and Cherry Point Vineyards. Brennan has built a diverse network in the aboriginal communities throughout Canada and has represented the Cowichan Tribes in roundtable discussions with the Assembly of First Nations and the National Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Brennan is married and has 3 small children.

Lou-ann Neal is from the Mamalillikulla, Danaxda’xw, Kwickwasutaineuk, “Namgis and Kwagiulth tribes of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation. Lou-ann has worked in the Aboriginal arts sector for over 25 years in various capacities, including Artistic Director for The Banff Centre's Aboriginal Arts Program; and Arts Outreach Coordinator for the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council, which involved travelling the province presenting grant-writing, portfolio development and home-based artist business workshops to Aboriginal artists, arts managers, administrators and coordinators. Lou-ann has also run her own project management consulting business for the past 14 years.

Ron Rice was born and raised in Duncan and is a member of Cowichan Tribes. He started with the BCAAFC in May 1998.  His background in hospitality and event planning has served the association well.  In 2007 Ron took a 19 month leave of absence to manage Cultural Events & Ceremonies for the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. He has also gained prominence within the Aboriginal Friendship Centres movement working to support a number of Friendship Centres in transition throughout BC and in Quebec. Ron has been the President of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre since 2003.

Dawn Smith is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Ehattesaht Tribe, and is currently employed at the University of Victoria as the Community Internship Coordinator and instructor for the LE, NONET project, a project to support the success of Aboriginal students at UVic. She has a long history of involvement in education and in the community as an Indigenous Student Advisor, Treaty Negotiator, Community Development Worker, President of Hecate Logging Ltd., Research Analyst, Elected Council Member and Elected Chief Councillor. She has recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance.

Brian Titus is a member of the Trondek Hwichin of Dawson City, Yukon and has lived in British Columbia since 1987. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation. The Osoyoos Indian Band is known to be one of the most aggressive Bands in Canada for Economic Development. Brian is responsible for controlling the financial affairs of the nine companies under the Osoyoos Indian Band corporate veil. Other key responsibilities include strategic planning, land purchases, corporate taxation strategy, policy development, and researching new business opportunities. He also serves as the Vice President of the NK’Mip Cellars, one of the premier wineries in the Okanagan. Recently, Brian was elected by his peers in the Accounting field as the Vice President of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of British Columbia.

Matt Vickers (Gunaatsk) is an accomplished businessperson who has been at the forefront of establishing links in a cross-cultural business environment since 1970. Before taking on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer for Eagle Dancer Enterprises Limited (art galleries & publishing) in 1992, Matt formed his management and financial consultancy in 1989 and took a hiatus from his company while working for a number of entities such as Royal Bank Financial Group, Gitxsan Government Commission and Meyers Norris Penny. While running Vickers & Associates he became known as one of the top Aboriginal administrative managers in Canada. Matt has a successful track record of matching the needs of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal potential business partners in organizing and developing business ventures. While working in his positions with corporate Canada Matt honed his consulting skill set in educating corporate Canada on the true history of the Aboriginal people while working with the First Nation communities in creating economic development corporations that separate the political and business decision making process in First Nation country. Matt recently held the position of Provincial Director of Aboriginal Services for Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) which meant he was been responsible for developing and managing MNP’s long term objectives and commitment to the Aboriginal market sector. Matt’s passion is working with Aboriginal communities that desire to move from dependency to self sufficiency.