Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Moderator: Gary Gould

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Registration (2nd Floor Hallway)

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM – Opening

Welcome from Elder Mary Palmater, National Elder Representative

Opening prayer and song from Elder Peggie Wentzell

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM – Opening Remarks

Brendan Moore, National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM - Setting the Context

Lorraine Augustine, Chief and President, Native Council of Nova Scotia

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Legal Beginnings

Keynote panel provides a historical overview of the CAP Daniels v. Canada and reflections on the case, followed by Q&A with participants.

• Joseph Magnet

• Andrew Lokan

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Health Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Panel: Legal Frameworks & Policy Challenges Post-Daniels

Legal and community leaders exploring post-CAP-Daniels models of self-determination and constitutional, legislative, and policy options, focusing on recognition, status, and addressing the distinctions-based approach. 

• Paul Chartrand

• Gary Gould

• Lionel Chartrand

• Brad Morse

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch – Keynote Address by Gabriel Daniels

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Q&A with Participants: Morning Panel

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM – Panel: Gaps in Distinctions-Based Approach & Legal Precedent on Definitions

Legal and community leaders exploring exclusions created by Canada’s distinctions-based approach and how legal definitions impact recognition, rights, and access for CAP’s communities.

• Lionel Chartrand

• Brad Morse

• Andrew Lokan

• Paul Chartrand

• Gary Gould

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM – Health Break

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM – Q&A with Participants: Afternoon Panel

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – CAP’s Journey: Advancing the CAP-Daniels Decision
CAP presentation on the 2018 Canada-CAP Political Accord, advocacy, and ongoing efforts since the 2016 CAP-Daniels decision.

• Brendan Moore, National Chief, CAP

• Jim Devoe, Chief Executive Officer, CAP

4:00 PM – Closing

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Moderator: Gary Gould

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – Recap of Day One

9:30 AM – 10:15 PM – Engagement: Identifying Solutions and Recommendations

Breakout groups to discuss legal strategy, policy change, and community development opportunities.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM – Health Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM – Engagement: Identifying solutions and recommendations (continued)

Breakout groups to discuss legal strategy, policy change, and community development opportunities. 

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM - Report Back from Engagement

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Expert Panel Recommendations

Participants will hear from lawyers and community leaders on views from the morning discussions.

• Brad Morse

• Andrew Lokan

• Gary Gould

• Paul Chartrand

• Lionel Chartrand

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Health Break

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM – Plenary: Recommendations and Advocacy

Participants will collaborate to develop concrete recommendations and federal asks in an open discussion.

• Priorities for action

• Policy and funding needs

• Partnerships and government engagement

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM – Elder Experiences

Led by National Elder Representative Mary Palmater, Elders will address participants with perspectives and reflections.

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM – Closing Remarks

• Brendan Moore, National Chief, CAP

4:30 PM – Closing