Gathering brings together city officials and Indigenous business leaders

The first annual Indigenous Procurement Business Gathering was held at Regina's Performing Arts Centre. (Mick Favel/CTV News)

Representatives of the City of Regina and Indigenous business leaders came together for the first annual Indigenous Procurement Business Gathering.

The focus of the event was to network and share information on the city’s current business situation.

“It’s great to see the City of Regina taking some inclusion and initiative in creating these open dialogues and information sessions,” said Bard Spence, the director of training and employment at George Gordon Developments Ltd.

In 2023, the City of Regina unanimously voted in favor of creating an Indigenous procurement policy and advisory committee.

The purpose of the policy is to stimulate Indigenous entrepreneurship and provide Indigenous businesses with more opportunities to participate in the local economy.

The policy is intended to reach to at least 20 per cent of the City’s procurement contracts to be held by Indigenous vendors.

The Indigenous Procurement Advisory Committee (IPAC) requested the business gathering to get the information out on how the City’s procurement procedures work.

“We’ve made some significant impacts since the policy has been implemented,” said Kim Krywulak, the director of financial services for the City of Regina.

“We just want to see it continue to grow, engage, grow capacity on the community, and connect with vendors.”

Terry Bird is the vice president of George Gordon Developments Ltd and served as the keynote speaker at the gathering.

Bird said the policy is a positive step towards creating opportunities for everyone.

“First Nations and Metis people are here to do business. We just got to find the opportunities to get involved,” Bird explained.

The IPAC has a fluid membership and is open to other businesses who would like to take part.

“If you’re a vendor and you’re looking to get involved, definitely reach out and we can meet and discuss opportunities,” Krywulak noted.

The Indigenous Procurement Business Gathering was held on Feb. 25, at the Regina Performing Arts Centre.