Podcasts – First Nations Infrastructure Institute

2024 Podcasts

Melissa MacDonald and Alanea Holmstrom are two dynamic young women who are quickly becoming catalysts for change in their communities.

MacDonald, of Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia, is currently Lands Director and Tax Administrator for the Band. She began her Tulo education in 2022 and completed her certificate this year.

Holmstrom is currently Tax Administrator at Osoyoos Indian Band in southern B.C. She started with Tulo in 2018 in the Tax Certificate program, took Applied Land Management in 2019 and the First Nations Applied Economics program in 2024.

Both women took part in a once-in-a-lifetime exchange program with fellow Tulo Centre students and Maori communities in New Zealand. (Read news release.)

They both credit the trip and other program elements as a launching pad for their own career growth, and for supporting economic development and infrastructure growth in their home communities.

FNII podcast host Richard Perry caught up with them earlier this summer.

Last summer FNII became a newly-legislated addition to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, which will open opportunities to support new projects in addition to the institute’s two ‘proof of concept’ projects. On top of that, the process is underway to appoint a new Advisory Board and engage potential consulting partners. FNII is an optional service, “an extra tool in the toolbox” as Jason likes to say. He also has an important message for Indigenous youth who are considering exploring trades and professions within the infrastructure space. Here’s his interview with podcast host Richard Perry.

Host Richard Perry speaks with two of the 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.

What are the practical aspects of planning for infrastructure growth in communities? This episode looks at the experience in two communities working with FNII – Kettle and Stony Point in Ontario and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia. This is an on-stage panel discussion moderated by Jason Calla.

2023 Podcasts

Keith Matthew loves sharing stories about creating wealth and opportunity in First Nations communities. From his work in economic development, he sees the value of infrastructure in creating more prosperous communities.

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

Rose Paul of the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nation’s Bayside Development Corporation. Her Nation has been working with the First Nations Infrastructure Institute since 2019 on one of two proof-of-concept projects to assess the value of the new institute.

Jason Calla is on a mission to help First Nations create successful, long-lasting infrastructure projects. He has been guiding the development of FNII to establish new infrastructure funding models and approaches.

Céline Auclair is the founder of the First Peoples Innovation Center, a non-profit organization that assists the development of social innovation for the First People communities in Quebec. She brings international experience to discussions about infrastructure development among First Nations.

David Kobliski is executive director of the Nelson House Development Corporation in northern Manitoba. He is also a firm believer in the long-term value of effectively-managed infrastructure projects.

David Crate is currently Chief for his community Fisher River Cree Nation (Treaty 5) which is located about 200 km north of Winnipeg. Chief Crate has focused on long-term planning, strategic partnerships, environmental stewardship and economic development.

Dana Francis has applied his contracting expertise in projects across Turtle Island. As co-founder of Red Island Contractors, Inc., and a FNII board member, he has a valuable perspective on the value of infrastructure development.

Allan Claxton has seen first-hand what infrastructure can do to improve communities. That’s why he stepped forward to serve as Chair of the FNII Development Board.

Infrastructure takes too long to develop, costs too much to build, and does not last long enough. Listen in to a conversation between Manny Jules, Chairperson First Nations Tax Commission and Jason Calla from the First Nations Infrastructure Institute about some potential solutions. Click here to play the podcast.