Drumbeats - Canadian Indigenous Investment Podcast

Mark Carney's policy influence meets Bill C-5: How regulatory shifts are reshaping Indigenous-corporate investment partnerships in Canada.

In this episode of the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit podcast, co-chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant examine Prime Minister Mark Carney's The Building Canada Act Bill C-5 and Canada's changing investment landscape. The legislation allows federal fast-tracking of major infrastructure pro...

Matt Jamieson, CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, shares how Canada’s largest First Nation is generating transformational economic returns through Indigenous-led enterprise. Since its founding in 2015, the corporation has delivered $295 million in direct community benefits and led landmark projects like the Ontario Oneida Energy Storage Project, a $700 million, 250 MW facility that advances Canada’s net-...

Join Brendan Bell, CEO of West Kitikmeot Resources Corp, as he outlines the strategic vision behind the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, a $1 billion infrastructure development in Nunavut designed to transform Canada’s Arctic frontier.

Spanning 230 km and featuring a deep-water port, the project aims to reduce the high cost of living in the North, generate employment, and stimulate economic development. It also carries geopolitical ...

The First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB) is helping Indigenous communities unlock economic opportunity through strategic capacity development and financial empowerment. In this discussion, Scott Munro reveals how FMB supports First Nations in building strong governance, accessing capital, and forming transformative partnerships, like the groundbreaking 50% acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods by Mi’kmaq First Nations in par...

Learn how Chief Sky-Deer led her community to a historic energy agreement with Hydro-Québec during a time of restructuring. From navigating regulatory hurdles with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to addressing environmental justice concerns, her leadership has built a historic path to Indigenous equity. This unprecedented deal grants her Nation a 10% equity stake, with the option to grow to 49...

Marissa Nobauer, Director of Reconciliation, Community Engagement & External Relations at TELUS, and Carol Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and a distinguished member of TELUS’ Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) explore how corporate Canada is rethinking reconciliation through action.

The IAC was established to embed reconciliation into TELUS’ corporate strategy, guided by ongoing input from Indigenous l...

Barbara McKenzie, CEO of the Métis Settlements Development Corporation (MSDC), shares how Indigenous-led investment is reshaping capital markets. With a focus on growth-stage, cash-positive ventures, MSDC is advancing long-term economic sustainability across all eight Métis settlements, while creating majority-Indigenous partnerships with non-Indigenous firms. For institutional investors seeking impact-aligned returns with commerci...

Tabatha Bull, President & CEO at Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), discusses how community involvement in projects, particularly through revenue-sharing and capacity-building, enables communities to reinvest in both local and broader initiatives while participating as business stakeholders. She highlights renewable energy projects in Ontario as a key example, where policy incentives promote Indigenous participat...

Senator PJ Prosper, a Mi’kmaw Senator representing Nova Scotia, shares insights from his first 100 days in Parliament and his national listening tour across Mi’kma’ki. Guided by his ReconciliACTION Report, Senator Prosper outlines seven clear priorities that align with Canada’s economic and housing goals while centring Indigenous voices in national policy. This was the outcome of his recent Listening Tour, where he met with over 1,...

Chief Derek Epp, Chairperson of the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) outlines how the organisation issued a $650 million debenture in January 2025 and raised over $1.3 billion within just 15 months. The FNFA model is opening new doors for Indigenous communities to access large-scale capital, take ownership of resource and renewable energy projects, and build long-term economic strength.

UK investors can take note of how FNFA r...

Hon. Greg Rickford, Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, highlights the province’s rising importance in Canada’s energy and mining future. While Ontario already produces around 50% of the country’s gold, the focus is now shifting to its vast potential in critical minerals, key to global electrification and clean technology. With the Ring of Fire emerging as a major strategic resource, ...

Sean Willy, President & CEO of Des Nedhe Group shares his insights into how First Nations like English River are driving economic growth through strategic diversification. In this discussion, he explores Des Nedhe Group’s bold initiatives, from acquiring majority stakes in key industries to building a strong portfolio of construction, mining, and energy partnerships. With operations that include potash mines, nuclear facilities...

Co-Chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant discuss the highlights of the 2025 Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit, the largest gathering of Indigenous Business leaders in the UK in modern times if not ever.. They reflect on this Summit's impactful sessions covering a broad range of topics demonstrating the benefits of working with Indigenous Peoples who are rights holders, investors and equity partners and the key sectors they are ...

Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant cover key issues facing Canada today. They discuss the Canadian federal elections, what’s at stake, and how the results could affect Indigenous communities, business, and economic policy. They also take a close look at the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario, a region with vast critical mineral deposits that could play a major role in future industry and development. The conversation touches on governmen...

Harold Calla discusses the critical importance of economic reconciliation and the role of Indigenous financial institutions. He shares a powerful testimonial from Crystal Smith of the Cedar LNG project, which benefited from the support of the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB). He emphasises the need for improved access to capital, capacity development, and more institutions to support First Nations communities. He also...