Recruit, Retain & Grow
Indigenous Talent
Moving beyond the checkbox to meaningful inclusion — the strategies and accountability that turn commitment into a workforce.
January 20th & 21st 2027
100% Indigenous Lead & Owned
From the founders of Rezolution Summit
Mission
To transform economic reconciliation from a corporate commitment into a lived practice — equipping employers with the strategy, partnerships, and accountability to recruit, retain, and elevate Indigenous talent at every level of their organization.
Purpose
Reconciliation without a workforce strategy is a statement, not a change. Ascend puts employers in the room with Indigenous economic development leaders and community organizations doing this work every day — so hiring becomes a starting point, not a headline.
Ascend is proudly Indigenous-owned and led, brought to you by the team behind Rezolution Summit — Canada's only female-founded Indigenous wealth creation event — carrying forward the same commitment to Indigenous economic growth and measurable impact.
Why Ascend
Who are you not finding, and why? Who are you losing, and why? Who are you not developing, and why?
3 Core commitments: Recruit, Retain & Grow
Ascend is built around three commitments. Recruit: find talent differently. Retain: create the conditions for people to stay and thrive. Grow: invest in potential, advancement, and leadership. Three separate challenges that need three distinct strategies, and most organizations are only solving for one.
Ascend brings together employers, Indigenous economic development organizations, and community partners to work through all three, together, over two focused days.
400 Seats available before this sells out
Who Should Attend
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VPs, directors, and managers responsible for sourcing, hiring, and workforce planning.
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The people accountable for turning reconciliation commitments into measurable outcomes.
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CEOs, COOs, and CHROs setting the workforce strategy their organization will be judged on.
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EDOs, band-owned enterprises, and community organizations building talent pipelines.
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Agency and in-house recruiters looking to build authentic, lasting community relationships.
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Policy and program leads responsible for Indigenous employment outcomes and reporting.
Agenda
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What You'll Walk Away With
A concrete commitment, not just inspiration. Every delegate leaves having named one Recruit commitment, one Retain commitment, and one Grow commitment to bring back to their organization. Not just ideas. A plan for Monday morning.
A workforce strategy you can act on
Practical frameworks for recruitment, retention, and advancement — not theory.
Direct access to decision-makers
Two days in the room with the leaders and organizations shaping Indigenous economic reconciliation.
An industry-recognized certificate
Leave with an Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Certificate that can be added to your resume and LinkedIn
Proof for your board or leadership team
A concrete, credible story of what your organization is doing on economic reconciliation — and why it matters.
Venue & Logistics
Everything you need to plan your trip.
Venue: Ottawa Marriott Hotel 100 Kent Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5R7
Welcome: Reception — Tuesday, January 19, 2027
Forum Dates: Wednesday–Thursday, January 20–21, 2027
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, both days
Capacity: 400 delegates