First Nations Infrastructure Institute – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Meet Dr. Christine Bird, CEO of Tsawout First Nation, along with COO Micah Claxton, as they share stories about infrastructure challenges and opportunities in their BC community.

Both were attending the Leading the Way 7 conference in Edmonton in November 2024.

With several projects on the go or under development, Tsawout is considered as a very progressive community as it seeks to expand without many of the limitations of current federal legislation, including the Indian Act.

LINKS:
Tsawout First Nation website
FNII website
Dr. Christine Bird on Linkedin
Micah Claxton on Linkedin

How can I explore working with the First Nations Infrastructure Institute? Do we need a Band Council Resolution? Are there size or financial limits to projects? Where can I find more information on new Board openings at FNII?

Those and other topics were covered in this conversation between Jason Calla, FNII Technical Lead and podcast host Richard Perry.

It was recorded shortly after the very successful Leading the Way 7 conference in Edmonton in late November 2024.

LINKS:
Jason Calla e-mail: jcalla@fnii.ca
Website e-mail: info@fnii.ca
Phone: Toll-free: +1 855-682-3682
First Nations Infrastructure Institute
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation

Leadership openings:
FNII - Chairperson: https://lnkd.in/g4ZiuSZJ
FNII - Directors: https://lnkd.in/gEc_fHzU

Additional information on the opportunities and how to apply can be accessed on the Government of Canada Governor in Council Appointments website: https://lnkd.in/g54EKsV

Glenn Saganace has seen a lot when it comes to economic development and its connection to strong infrastructure.

Glenn is a Relationships Manager based in Saskatoon, SK with the First Nations Financial Management Board.

He says many First Nations aren't large enough to have the capacity to manage infrastructure projects on their own, or to hold contractors accountable. And that is the perfect role for FNII as an organization that can guide Nations through the process.

He told host Richard Perry that there are real opportunities for First Nations to use infrastructure to make great economic gains, for their benefit and the larger Canadian economy.

Recorded in Nov. 2023 at the Leading the Way 6 conference in the unceded Algonquin territory of Gatineau, QC.


Links:
Glenn Saganace via toll-free: 1-877-925-6665
Glenn Saganace on LinkedIn
First Nations Financial Management Board website
FNII website

Tewanee Joseph has a wealth of project management, branding and communications experience. His business started in 2001 in the Squamish Nation and he played a key CEO role in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Tewanee spent eight years on Squamish council so he understands the value of infrastructure and the value of storytelling to heighten interest and awareness. He also worked on the development of the Fiscal Management Act.

He spoke with host Richard Perry at the Leading the Way 6 conference in the unceded Algonquin territory of Gatineau, Quebec.

Links:

Tewanee Joseph on LinkedIn
Tewanee Consulting Group, Inc. website
FNII website

It started with helping a Mi'kmaq community deal with a housing backlog.

From there, Darcy Gray has joined a team including FNII to support Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation's goal of expanding its water and wastewater infrastructure.

The community is now developing reserve lands it was denied access to for decades. The south side of the TransCanada Highway #104 east of Antigonish, NS is now home to the award-winning Bayside Travel Centre, with future commercial and residential development in the works.

Darcy sat down with host Richard Perry to talk about his involvement at Paqtnkek and the value of collaboration with FNII.

Recorded in the unceded territory of the Algonquin at Gatineau, QC in November 2023.

Links:
Darcy Gray email: darcy.gray@migmagi.ca
Darcy Gray on LinkedIn
Mi'gma'gi Project Management and Consulting website
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website

Host Richard Perry speaks with two of the 'behind-the-scenes' technical staff that play a hugely vital role in supporting FNII partnerships.

John Dumbrell of  Urban Systems Ltd. and Jason Reeves of Fiscal Realities  talk about relationship building and the value of listening carefully to community members as they discuss their current or future infrastructure needs.

Recorded in the un-ceded Algonquin territory of Gatineau, QC. during the Leading the Way 6 conference, November 2023.

Links:
John Dumbrell email: jdumbrell@urbansystems.ca
Jason Reeves email: jason@fiscalrealities.com
FNII website.

Rose Paul, CEO of Bayside Development Corporation, received the 2023 Indigenous Women in Leadership Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

She and her team at Bayside Development Corporation and Band staff at Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation, are working with FNII on future water and wastewater infrastructure to support residential and commercial growth.

It is one of two 'proof of concept' projects begun by FNII.

Rose knew several years ago that to fully take advantage of opportunities, her community would need to align with the Fiscal Management Act Institutions.

She spoke with host Richard Perry at the Leading the Way 6 conference in the unceded Algonquin territory in Gatineau, QC.

Links:

Rose Paul email: rose.paul@paqtnkek.ca or ceo@baysidecorporate.com
Bayside Development Corporation website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website
Bayside Travel Centre Facebook page
Bayside LinkedIn page
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website

Keith Matthew loves sharing stories about creating wealth and opportunity in First Nation communities.

Keith, who sits on the FNII development board, is a member of the Simpcw First Nation where he served five years as Chief and five years as councillor. During his time serving his community, he was responsible for economic development activities and sees the value of infrastructure in creating more prosperous communities – where Indigenous groups are less reliant on transfers and are able to develop projects that are more aligned to community priorities.

Recorded live at the 'First Nations 'Leading the Way 5' conference in Treaty 1 Territory – Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 4-6, 2022.

Reach Keith by telephone at (250) 318-3787 or by email at reception@simpcw.com.

Visit the economic development page at the Simpcw website at https://www.simpcw.com/economic-development.htm

For free FNII resources, visit https://www.fnii.ca/resources/

Carl Yates is leading an organization that has made history as the first Indigenous water utility in Canada.

Once complete, the AFNWA will assume responsibility for water and wastewater services for as many as 4,500 households and businesses located in up to 17 participating First Nations. This represents approximately 60% of the on-reserve population of First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada.

In recent months, AFNWA has been collaborating with FNII and Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia on water and wastewater infrastructure needs for new residential and commercial development.

With a service approach based on social, economic, and environmental outcomes, AFNWA will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and capital upgrades of all water and wastewater assets in participating First Nations.  AFNWA’s Board currently consists of nine (9) First Nations Chiefs and is chaired by Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek.

AFNWA will apply First Nations traditional knowledge and culture emphasizing environmental stewardship, the spiritual aspects of water, and Two–Eyed Seeing. “Two–Eyed Seeing”, as defined by Albert Marshall Sr., “is an approach to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and to see from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and to use both of these eyes together.”

Elders play crucial roles in Indigenous communities, as First Nations have both formal and informal leadership. To ensure AFNWA always aligns with First Nations values, culture and knowledge, Elders will guide the Board through an advisory committee. The Elders Advisory Lodge (EAL) consists of five (5) Elders approved by the Board, with regional representation

AFNWA’s participating communities currently include:

New Brunswick

• Elsipogtog
• Esgenoôpetitj
• Kingsclear
• Oromocto
• Tobique
• St. Mary’s

Prince Edward Island

• Abegweit
• Lennox Island

Nova Scotia

• Acadia
• Eskasoni
• Glooscap
• Membertou
• Millbrook
• Paqtnkek
• Pictou Landing
• Potlotek
• Sipekne’katik
• We’koqma’q
• Wagmatcook

LINKS:
Atlantic First Nations Water Authority website
Email: communications@afnwa.ca
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website

LINKS:
Contact Rose by email at r.paul@paqtnkek.ca or ceo@baysidecorporate.com
Bayside Development Corp. website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website
First Nations Infrastructure website