Over the coming years, Chilliwack will see more and more businesses started by local First Nations individuals.

Next week's Sto:lo Business Conference is a one-day session put together by Sto:lo Community Futures and private sector partners KPMG and Waterstone Law Group designed to encourage Aboriginal business people.

Sto:lo Community Futures (SCF) is a local organization that promotes economic development services, delivers training programs and lends money to new and existing Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

"I think that folks have no idea how large the business community is in Sto:lo territory," SCF general manager Mike Watson told the Times. "The Aboriginal business community here is growing at about two-and-a-half times faster than the non-Aboriginal business community."

And Watson said the potential for the future is great given that 50 per cent of local Sto:lo are under the age of 25.

Given tight fiscal times for all levels of government, Watson said this conference, being supported and paid for by private companies KPMG and Waterstone, takes a unique approach.

Sean Reid, local office leader and partner of KPMG in Chilliwack will be a presenter at the conference as well as a sponsor.

"We hope to address several key economic, tax and regulatory issues that impact both Sto:lo band governance and operations, and individual Aboriginal businesses, that are rapidly growing throughout the Sto:lo territory,” he said in a press release.

Waterstone Law Group partner Bruce Davies said his firm is proud to provide legal services to Sto:lo businesses and he is pleased to take part in the conference.

"We will be presenting topics such as fundamentals of business structuring, business financing and understanding the regulatory framework for both bands and business,” Davies said.

The Sto:lo Business Conference will feature several presentations throughout the day on Feb. 7 at the Coast Hotel in Chilliwack. This is a free conference to all registered participants. Registration includes all presentations, a luncheon and breaks throughout the day. Registration can be completed by contacting Suzanne Ellis at Stó:lō Community Futures, 604-824-5273 or scf.suzanne@shawcable.com.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com