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Forward Together

Forward Together

By: Rod Miller COO Connect Partnership Group
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 Forward Together is the podcast where Indigenous voices and Canadian industry come together to build a stronger, more inclusive economy. Hosted by Rod Miller, president and COO of the Connect Partnership Group, each episode sparks real conversations about reconciliation, economic opportunity, and Indigenous leadership across sectors. From personal journeys to big-picture insights, Forward Together keeps the dialogue going—beyond the conference stage and into the everyday work of building a better future.2025 Economics
Episodes
  • Beyond Performative: Real Action on Reconciliation with Deborah Green

    Beyond Performative: Real Action on Reconciliation with Deborah Green
    Aug 25 2025
    Episode Overview In this episode of the Forward Together podcast, host Rod Miller speaks with Deborah Green, a proud Cree woman from the Kawacatoose and Piapot First Nations in Saskatchewan and one of Canada’s most influential voices on Indigenous reconciliation. With over 25 years of professional and personal experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion, Deborah has dedicated her career to breaking down systemic barriers and building pathways for Indigenous economic participation and prosperity. She shares her journey of growing up “living a colonial existence,” navigating racism in her early career, and finding her calling in Indigenous recruitment, workforce development, and organizational transformation. Deborah discusses the importance of authentic leadership, the role of Indigenous voices at decision-making tables, and why action—beyond performative statements—is critical for reconciliation. Her perspective highlights both the resilience required to lead this work and the cultural shifts organizations must embrace to create meaningful change. Key Takeaways Deborah Green’s life experiences shaped her commitment to creating new possibilities for future Indigenous generations. Growing up avoiding the “scoop” of her siblings gave her firsthand understanding of systemic barriers faced by Indigenous peoples. Early career challenges—including overt racism—fueled her drive to transform corporate Canada’s approach to Indigenous employment. Indigenous recruitment and workforce strategies must focus on inclusion and retention first, not just hiring. Leadership plays a central role: reconciliation initiatives succeed when senior leaders deeply understand and prioritize them. Indigenous leadership brings a different worldview, rooted in servant leadership and cultural teachings, that organizations must recognize. Trust, relationships, and outreach are foundational to Indigenous hiring and inclusion success. Effective strategies are action-based: moving beyond statements of support to measurable results. Indigenous worldviews—like the Seven Sacred Teachings—can and should be embedded into leadership models. Deborah hopes her legacy is paving a sustainable path others can follow, ensuring Indigenous peoples are safe, respected, and able to thrive in Canada. Guest Bio: Deborah Green (Gopher) is a proud Nēhiyaw iskwêw (Cree Woman) from Kawacatoose and Piapot's First Nations in Saskatchewan who has emerged as one of Canada's most influential voices in Indigenous reconciliation and organizational transformation. With over 25 years of professional and personal lived expertise in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Deborah has dedicated her career to breaking down systemic barriers and creating pathways for Indigenous economic participation and prosperity. Currently serving as National Lead Specialist for Indigenous Workforce Development at Suncor Energy since 2018, Deborah leads the national Indigenous Workforce Development strategy, focusing on governance, advocacy, and development of workforce strategies that increase Indigenous representation, inclusion, leadership & career development, and retention. Her role involves collaborating directly with Indigenous communities to understand their needs, strengthen employment readiness, and create culturally appropriate hiring and retention strategies. Deborah's career trajectory showcases her evolution from technical recruitment to becoming a transformational leader in Indigenous workforce development. Her groundbreaking work at Shell Canada from 2009-2017 as Senior Diversity Recruiter & Diversity Advisor/Strategist established her as a pioneer in the field—she was Shell's first full-time global resource dedicated to diversity recruitment. During her tenure, she increased Indigenous hiring from 1.0% to 4% and grew the Indigenous Employee Network from 20 to 200 employees, demonstrating her ability to create measurable change at scale. As the Founder & Owner of Corporate Cree Consulting (2017-2018), Deborah provided specialized consulting services to bridge gaps between mainstream corporate culture and Indigenous worldviews, offering capacity building solutions for sustainable organizational transformation. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of organizational change, from developing comprehensive workforce diversity strategies to fostering inclusive work environments that enhance talent diversity, ensure retention, and hold leaders accountable for meaningful progress. Her influence extends across all sectors of the Canadian economy, including private, public, non-profit, and government organizations, where she has cultivated an extensive network within diversity-focused entities. Through her work in relationship building, Strategy Framework & Policy development, keynote speaking, and Indigenous awareness training & education, Deborah has helped countless organizations move beyond performative gestures toward substantive...
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    33 mins
  • Navigating the Landscape of Indigenous Economic Development with Scott Alanen

    Navigating the Landscape of Indigenous Economic Development with Scott Alanen
    Aug 11 2025
    Episode Overview In this episode of the Forward Together podcast, host Rod Miller engages with Scott Alanen, Vice President of Investment at the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC). They discuss Scott's journey from traditional finance to advocating for Indigenous economic prosperity, the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in accessing capital, and the importance of trust in partnerships. Scott shares insights into the AIOC's mandate, successful projects like the Cascade Power Plant, and the evolving landscape of renewable energy and financing structures that support Indigenous participation in major projects. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration between industry and Indigenous communities, as well as the importance of capacity building and mentorship in finance for future generations. Key Takeaways: Scott's journey to Indigenous economic advocacy was a random walk.Trust is foundational in working with Indigenous communities.The AIOC was established to provide loan guarantees for Indigenous investments.Challenges include capacity within First Nations and finding good opportunities.Industry collaboration is essential for successful partnerships.The Cascade Power Plant project was a significant achievement for AIOC.Access to capital remains a major barrier for Indigenous communities.Renewable energy presents both opportunities and challenges for Indigenous prosperity.Innovative financing structures can enhance Indigenous equity participation.Mentorship in finance is crucial for building Indigenous capacity. Featured Guest: Scott Alanen Scott Alanen is a high-energy senior executive and finance professional who has become a leading architect of Indigenous economic participation in Canada's energy transition and infrastructure development. With extensive experience across corporate finance, energy, and real estate sectors, Scott has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for Indigenous economic sovereignty through strategic capital allocation and innovative financing structures. Scott's most significant contribution to Indigenous prosperity has been structuring over $400 million of Indigenous debt and equity ownership in key infrastructure and assets, with a particular focus on renewable power generation. His expertise reached its pinnacle as a principal architect of the groundbreaking $1.5 billion Cascade Power project, in which six First Nations successfully acquired a significant equity stake—representing one of the largest Indigenous equity participations in Canadian energy infrastructure history. His career spans diverse roles including Managing Director, VP Finance, and Chief Financial Officer across multiple industries, with previous experience in raising and allocating capital for pooled real estate mortgage funds, private equity funds, and startup exploration and production entities. Scott's operational experience extends beyond capital raising to include managing ongoing operations of energy companies, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of both the financial and operational aspects of major infrastructure projects. Host: Rod Miller — President and COO of the Connect Partnership Group, producers of Forward Summit and Workforce Forward. Resources & Links: Learn more about Forward Summit → https://forwardsummit.ca/ Follow Foward Summit on Social Media: LinkedIn Read the Forward Magazine → Magazine Link AIOC: www.theaioc.com Forward Summit Events and Pricing: Register Now!
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    41 mins
  • Authentic Storytelling for Indigenous Prosperity with Jay Gould

    Authentic Storytelling for Indigenous Prosperity with Jay Gould
    Jul 28 2025
    Episode Overview In this episode of the Forward Together podcast, host Rod Miller engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jay Gould, founder of Story Foundry. Jay shares his journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage and how it influences his work in storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and hope within Indigenous communities and the role of storytelling in bridging cultural divides. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced in Indigenous filmmaking, the responsibility of truth-telling, and advice for aspiring Indigenous creatives. Jay's passion for championing Indigenous stories shines through as he expresses his desire to mentor the next generation of filmmakers. Key Takeaways: Jay Gould's journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage is inspiring.Storytelling is a vital part of Indigenous culture and identity.Resilience and hope are common themes in Indigenous communities.Authenticity in storytelling is crucial for representation.There is an obligation to act justly on behalf of Indigenous people.Connecting through stories can break down cultural barriers.Indigenous filmmakers face unique challenges in the industry.Finding one's skill set is essential for success in the creative field.Mentorship for young Indigenous filmmakers is important for the future.The importance of sharing the truth about Indigenous history is paramount. Featured Guest: Jay Gould Jay Gould is the founder and owner of The Story Foundry, an award-winning video storytelling company based in Calgary, Alberta—located on Treaty 7 territory. As an Indigenous entrepreneur, Jay brings both personal heritage and professional expertise to his mission of connecting people through stories to "make the world better" through inspiring video and digital content. The Story Foundry serves clients across Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, specializing in purpose-driven video production that helps organizations create authentic brand recognition, establish thought leadership, and invite meaningful audience participation into their stories. Jay's journey to understanding his Indigenous roots adds a profound dimension to his storytelling work. His approach to video production is deeply rooted in purpose and impact, working with "clients that believe in making things better for all of us"—a philosophy that naturally flows from Indigenous values of community wellbeing and collective prosperity. His company operates on the understanding that "connecting people through stories opens unlimited possibilities," which directly connects to his own Indigenous heritage and the powerful tradition of oral storytelling and knowledge sharing that runs through Indigenous cultures. The Story Foundry has produced diverse content ranging from original documentary series to community-focused projects, including work that amplifies underrepresented voices and creates space for authentic cultural narratives. Jay has developed an innovative subscription-based business model that makes professional video content accessible to businesses of all sizes, including Indigenous-owned enterprises and organizations working toward reconciliation. Host: Rod Miller — President and COO of the Connect Partnership Group, producers of Forward Summit and Workforce Forward. Resources & Links: Learn more about Forward Summit → https://forwardsummit.ca/ Follow Foward Summit on Social Media: LinkedIn Read the Forward Magazine → Magazine Link The Story Foundry: www.storyfoundry.ca Explore the video library from The Story Foundry → https://vimeo.com/showcase/8834422 The Northern Star Project Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-7f9nC5uU Forward Summit Events and Pricing: Register Now!
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    35 mins
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