The First Nations Infrastructure Institute is now officially established under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. The milestone took place June 20 following Royal Assent of amendments to the Act.
The amendments address some of the barriers to First Nations’ economic development by providing First Nations communities and other Indigenous organizations with increased supports and tools to strengthen their financial management systems and capacity, generate local revenues from property taxation to enhance the delivery of services in their communities, and access long-term financing to build community and economic infrastructure.
“These amendments will support Indigenous communities to advance self-determination and socio-economic development,” said Allan Claxton, Chair of the First Nations Infrastructure Institute (FNII) Development Board. “FNII has been designed to build on the successes of the FMA model. The First Nations and Indigenous organizations that choose to work with FNII will be able to use standardized best practices to plan, procure, own and manage their infrastructure projects.”
FNII’s Development Board held discussions across the country about the concept of the First Nations Infrastructure Institute, the needs of communities, and how a national First Nations-led institution could support existing and future regional organizations to improve infrastructure outcomes for First Nations.
With the input from these discussions, the Development Board helped develop the proposed amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act that established the Institute. The other amendments were co-developed by the Government of Canada and the other First Nations-led institutions established under the Act: First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, and First Nations Finance Authority.
Organizations that want to explore how FNII might work with them are invited to book an introductory workshop – in person or online – by emailing info@fnii.ca or calling toll-free 1-855-682-3682.
Services are free and First Nations do not need to be “scheduled” – that is, formally participating in the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. FNII’s services are available to any Indigenous organization in Canada.
Read the news release: New amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act receive Royal Assent