January 2022 Virtual Session: Indigenous Procurement Policy and Engagement in the Construction Industry

Indigenous communities have always participated in the economies of their traditional territories. With the growing understanding of reconciliation and the introduction of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, Indigenous procurement and engagement are becoming more prevalent in the construction industry than ever before. Companies in every sector are seeing the benefits of collaboration to include relationship building, access to new opportunities, meeting corporate responsibilities goals, increased public relations, access to employment sources and much more. This virtual event will bring together representatives and leaders of several different areas of British Columbia infrastructure to discuss how their policies and efforts are aiming to facilitate more involvement of local indigenous communities and entrepreneurs. In addition, they will also touch on upcoming projects that will encourage collaboration and engagement. Don't miss this diverse panel discussion that will provide you with a greater understanding of the changes happening in the bidding process and evaluation criteria of large project development in British Columbia. 

Meet our speakers:

Jeff Spruston, P.Eng., Project Co Representative, Broadway Subway Project.  Mr. Spruston has over 30 years of experience in the design and project management of large infrastructure projects, including airports, water treatment, and transportation.  Jeff appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the success of important infrastructure for the region and looks for successful project outcomes for all parties. Visit Jeff's LinkedIn profile for more information.

Major Ward Trythall, CD, Regional Planning Officer, Real Property Operations Unit - Pacific. Major Trythall is the Regional Planning Officer for Real Property Operations Unit Pacific. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Combat Engineer in 1985 and Commissioned in 1987 as a Military Engineer Officer. Throughout his 37 year military career Major Trythall has held a variety of roles; including Engineer Troop Commander, Commander of a Field Engineer Squadron, Deputy Commander of a Combat Engineer Regiment and Commander of a Real Property Operations Detachment. His foreign and overseas service includes deployment in the Former Yugoslavia in 1997 as a Military Project Officer for northwest Bosnia, attachment to the US Army Reserve as Executive Officer of an Engineer Bridging Company, and instructor at the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff College. Major Trythall is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Land Staff College and holds a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Washington State University. Earlier in his career Major Trythall spent considerable time in the private sector as a manufacturing, quality assurance and project management professional at Dometic Marine (formerly Seastar Marine) and IMW Industries. He currently resides, with his family in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Visit Major Trythall's LinkedIn profile for more information.

Samantha Singbeil, Manager, Indigenous Relations, FortisBC. She leads a team of dynamic leaders to implement FortisBC's Statement of Indigenous Principles. Alongside her team, she leads consultation, negotiation, and community investment. She is also responsible for spearheading the design and delivery of the organization’s Socio-Economic Impact program, which provides pathways and supports to local, Indigenous and underrepresented groups to achieve employment, contracting, and community development benefits from FortisBC’s Major Projects. For 2022, she is proud to sit on the Board of the Urban Spirit Foundation. With her husband, daughter, and gigantic dog, Eva, she calls the traditional and ancestral territory of the Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples, including Tsawwassen and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), home. Samantha has a BA in political science & sociology and an MA international & intercultural communications. Visit Samantha's LinkedIn profile for more information.

Devan Fitch, Director, Infrastructure Delivery, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Devan leads the implementation of port authority-led transportation infrastructure projects of national significance to ensure the Greater Vancouver gateway is ready for Canada's growing trade. Devan brings more than 15 years of experience in transportation infrastructure delivery to this role. Prior to joining the port authority, Devan spent several years as a bridge structural engineering consultant in Vancouver and as the manager of project delivery for the engineering department of the City of Vancouver. Visit Devan's LinkedIn profile for more information.

Thank you to our sponsors: