Takeaways
from the recent #FirstNations Major Projects Coalition,
the largest #Indigenous-led projects conference in the #US and #Canada, @fnmpc
“The Investment Appetite for Indigenous Ventures is There” – Harold Calla
Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, May 2, 2023 –
(Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global news source and expert investing resource reports on attending
the recent First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) Values Driven Economy
Conference held April 24th and 25th at the Westin
Bayshore in Vancouver. The event featured over 1300 leading continental
Indigenous, corporate and government experts to showcase successful
Indigenous-industry deals in energy, mining, infrastructure and finance from
around the world.
Read this in full at
First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC)
Values Driven Economy Conference Entrance
First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) Values Driven Economy Conference Panel April 25th - Indigenous-led
Deals Supported by Cutting Edge Policy
Environmental protection is a key
factor in decision making for Indigenous nations when considering participating
in a major project. Highlighting the leadership of Biitigong Nishnaabeg and
their work to come to an agreement with a proponent of a critical minerals mine
located within the First Nation’s territory, this panel discussed an example of
how First Nations, the private sector and government departments and agencies
can work together to ensure Indigenous-led solutions on environment impacts are
at the forefront in the deal-making process.
The theme of this panel was “How
do we build an inclusive tomorrow?’ At
every single stage, we should be looking at how to engage with Indigenous
people.”
Angie Bruce (Métis), Assistant
Deputy Minister, Nòkwewashk, Natural Resources Canada told the audience, ”We
want meaningful engagement versus engagement. Five years ago it was just
sharing information with First nations but we are starting to see a shift from
Government and industry.”
“For the first time I have seen
Indigenous people at the table.”
“I have seen a huge transition in
just two years where industry now offers equity participation.”
“Projects are being built with
indigenous values for sustainability, for the seven generations.”
She also said access to capital
is a key issue. She wants to see projects being led by community.
Discussing how her Band took
control of issues to provide confidence to members, Debi Bouchie (Ojibway),
Chief Executive Officer, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg said they had their own
environmental assessment team for their community to look at the land and water
before the project and after.
SPEAKERS:
Opening remarks: Angel
Ransom (Nak’azdli
Whut’en First Nation), Senior VP of Environmental Services, FNMPC
- Angie
Bruce (Métis), Assistant Deputy Minister,
Nòkwewashk, Natural Resources Canada
- Debi
Bouchie (Ojibway), Chief Executive Officer,
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg
- Vincent
Nabigon (Biigtigong
Nishnaabeg), Director of Business Development, Biiwaabikoke Limited
Partnership
- Ian
Ketcheson,
Vice-President, Indigenous Relations Sector, Impact Assessment Agency of
Canada
Moderated by: Valerie
Helbronner, Partner, Torys LLP
The event also featured Indigenous artists in a vendor’s
area where First Nation’s talent was in abundance.
Indigenous artist and master carver Ray Natraoro
Ray Natraoro is from the Coast Salish/Squamish
Nation. Ray started carving in 1994 and was inspired by and learnt from Rick
Harry and Simon Dick. He specializes in wood masks, rattles, totems as well as
canoes. His family has been carving canoes for over a century and Ray himself
has carved over 25 canoes to date.
Jennifer Bennett, Client Program Manager &
Senior Environmental Engineer, Arcadis IBI Group (Wiikwemkoong First Nation)
Introducing Keynote speaker, Bill Morneau, Former
Canadian Minister of Finance, Jennifer Bennett, Client Program Manager &
Senior Environmental Engineer, Arcadis IBI Group (Wiikwemkoong First Nation)
asked the audience how many of them personally knew a female Indigenous engineer. As only a few hands were raised she told the
audience her story on her path to excellence from Wiikwemkoong as her mother
told her to get educated in the United States and that she had a better chance
to make it there versus Canada.
Bill Morneau, Former Canadian Minister of Finance
with Moderator Jaimie Lickers (Onondaga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand
River), Vice President, Indigenous Markets, CIBC
Jaimie Lickers (Onondaga Nation from Six Nations of
the Grand River), Vice President, Indigenous Markets, CIBC asked Bill Morneau, “Where
do you think we are on Indigenous relationships?”
Morneau said, “I had no previous experience and
what I found was that Canada had very strong advocates from Indigenous and Metis.
The challenge was, l did not hear the same things from all the different
groups.”
He went on to explain presenting a clear united
plan that was supported by evidence would get better results and over the
course of the discussion reiterated the importance of advocates.
He also noted the challenges in financing projects
will only get bigger and that regulatory hurdles will become more challenging.
Harold Calla (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Executive Chair, Financial Management
Board
The April 25h panel, The Potential of First Nations
Accessing Capital via Bonds and Other Financial Instruments, was introduced by
Harold Calla (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Executive Chair, Financial Management
Board.
He told the audience that investors are making the
decision to be both socially responsible and inclusive and that we are seeing
it evolve from ESG to ESGI (I) for Indigenous.
He discussed how looking at a map of Canada a lot
of our natural resources are on or near Indigenous lands.
“Everyone has to acknowledge the need for economic
reconciliation.”
“We are not against development. We want
responsible development.”
“There is no path to net zero without Indigenous
people.”
One of his most promising remarks left me with the
sentiment I took away from the Conference,” The investment appetite for
Indigenous ventures is there.”
Dawn Van Zant, editor and founder of Investorideas.com
Board Member of One Spirit Non Profit - Standing Strong With The Lakota
of Pine Ridge Reservation https://www.onespiritlakota.org/
Learn more about the conference and
https://www.fnmpcindustryevent.com/
Conference Speakers included:
- Honourable Jonathan
Wilkinson,
Minister, Natural Resources Canada
- Dr.
Katy Huff, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Office of Nuclear
Energy, Department of Energy
- Kate
Gordon, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy
- Honourable Josie Osborne, Minister, Energy, Mines and
Low Carbon Innovation, Government of B.C.
- Premier David Eby, Government of British
Columbia
- Hilary Tompkins, Partner, Hogan Lovells
- Chief Emeritus Emily
Whetung, Curve
Lake First Nation
- Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister, Indigenous
Services Canada
- Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure
Bank
- Greg
Ebel, President & CEO, Enbridge
- David
Kakuktinniq (Inuit), President, Nukik
Corporation
- Ambassador
David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada
- Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous
Affairs and Northern Development, Government of Ontario
- Kate
Finn (Osage Nation), Executive Director, First
Peoples Worldwide
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