2024 Podcasts
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.
Kathleen Stone and her colleagues at FNFMB work hard to make sure communities have their finances in order before they tackle major projects, including new infrastructure.
As a CPA, she manages capacity development at FNFMB. And regardless of the project scope, she says mapping of existing community assets is critical to laying a proper foundation.
Host Richard Perry caught up with her at the Leading the Way 7 conference held in Nov. 2024 in Treaty Six territory (Edmonton).
This is an informative panel discussion recorded at the Leading the Way 7 conference in November 2024.
Moderator Jason Calla was joined by Evan Roberts, Councillor, Roseau River First Nation; Kathleen Stone, Manager, Capacity Development FNFMB; Jesse James, Regional Outreach Manager, FNFA; and Ian Bear, Member Services Manager, FNFA.
LINKS:
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
First Nations Financial Management Board
First Nations Finance Authority
Chief Derek Epp speaks passionately about what new infrastructure has done for his community of Tzeachten First Nation in British Columbia. He was a featured speaker at the Leading the Way 7 conference in Treaty Six Territory (Edmonton) in November 2024.
Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten) has established strategic economic development goals to expand its sources of revenues and reduce financial dependence on government funding for its members’ social, cultural, and economic well-being.
In this podcast conversation with host Richard Perry, he shares examples of what has been accomplished and what might be on the horizon.
LINKS:
Tzeachten First Nation
Listen to an insightful panel discussion recorded on day one of the Leading the Way 7 conference in Treaty Six territory (Edmonton), Alberta.
Host Jason Calla, FNII Technical Advisory, moderates a panel with Alanea Holmstrom, Tax Administrator at Osoyoos Indian Band in BC, and Evan Roberts, Councillor at Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation in Saskatchewan. (Brian Jones, GM at Sumas First Nation was unable to attend.)
Jason, Alanea and Evan share powerful stories of planning and building critical infrastructure such as roads, storm water management and utilities…projects that support community and economic development.
The session, called “Building Futures: Infrastructure Strategies and Support for Community Development” highlighted FNII’s collaborative efforts with First Nations through strategic planning, innovative tools, and best practices.
LINKS:
Membertou First Nation in Una’ma’ki (Cape Breton, NS) is a rapidly growing, progressive urban reserve. Its infrasture growth has been phenomenal during the past two decades. Once deep in poverty and bankrupt, the transformation of Membertou has led to huge corporate successes, including the massive billion dollar buyout of half of Clearwater Seafoods.
In this episode, host Richard Perry speaks with Melissa MacDonald, Manager of Taxation and Lands, to learn more about the community’s success. Recorded at the Leading the Way 7 conference in Treaty Six territory, Edmonton, Alberta.
Links:
First Nations Infrastructure Institute
Membertou First Nation
Melissa MacDonald Linkedin profile
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
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
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
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
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
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.