ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09

2 0 0 9 A F O A N A T I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E2009 AFOANATIONALCONFERENCERECORD REGISTRATION FORAFOA’S 9TH NATIONAL CONFERENCEOver 900 people attended the Association’s 9th NationalConference held February 24 – 26, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta.Many who attended had never been to an AFOA conferencebefore.Delegates came from across the country and from a wide rangeof communities and organizations – First Nations, Inuit and Métis –Band offices, health and educational organizations, federal, provincialand territorial governments, Tribal Councils, Aboriginal organizationsand others. They held a wide range of positions – Finance Managers,Band Administrators,Chief Executive Officers,Chiefs,Council Members,Treasurers,Executive Directors,Chief Financial Officers,Chief OperatingOfficers, Government Members and more.Conference SponsorshipConference sponsors play an important role for AFOA. Without theirsupport,the Conference would not be possible.The companies and organizationsmake a valuable contribution to Aboriginal finance andmanagement in this country and, make a significant contribution tothe enhancement of the quality of life among Aboriginal peoples.Thisyear’s sponsors were:ABENAKI ASSOCIATESABORIGINAL LINKALGONQUIN COLLEGEBDO DUNWOODY LLPBMO BANK OF MONTREALBURCOM CONSULTING LTD.CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATIONCONOCOPHILLIPSCREE REGIONAL ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES CO.FIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADAFIRST NATIONS MARKET HOUSING FUNDGOVERNMENT OF CANADAGRANT THORNTON LLPMEYERS NORRIS PENNY LLPROYAL BANK OF CANADASCOTIABANK GROUPT. E. WEALTHTAX RECOVERY GROUP (FIRST NATIONS) INC.XEROX CANADAPre-Conference WorkshopsThis year AFOA introduced pre-conference workshops to the conferenceprogram with outstanding results. One and two day workshopswere offered on: Performance Measurement & Reporting in First Nations;Developing an Effective Remedial Management Plan in First Nations; AnIntroduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations; and,First Nations Financial Reporting – Converting Financial Statements tothe Common Government Reporting Model. Registration for all workshopsreached maximum capacity. Revenue from the workshopshelped AFOA surpass its financial objectives for the fiscal year. See elsewherein this Report for more on these workshops.15