The Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network 3rd Annual Forum kicked off Thursday morning just outside of Saskatoon.

The two-day forum attracts about 150 First Nations stakeholders, businesses and economic development organizations from all over the province.

SFNEDN Chair Milton Tootoosis says the event is all about helping Aboriginal entrepreneurs make the right business connections.

“At the end of the day one of our ultimate goals, I would believe, is to help build capacity with the practitioners that are working for the First Nations communities building knowledge, information, getting up to speed on some of the trends,” he says.

Tootoosis says the forum is also about removing barriers.

“I think some of the common barriers that you would run into are perhaps legal issues to do with the Indian Act, for example, challenges around getting access to capital so they can get started. Some basic needs like doing research feasibility studies.”

The forum features a number of keynote speakers including Enoch Casino Corporation President Robert Morin.

It takes place at the Dakota Dunes Casino

Federated Co-operatives is one of the sponsors of the forum.