First Nations Major Projects Coalition

"It should challenge the myth that Indigenous people are against development. We are not against smart development." FNMPC CEO Mark Podlasly brought that message to the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit 2026 last week, joining a panel on institutional investment in First Nations infrastructure across Canada. The panel covered the $45 billion pipeline of major projects that First Nations communities stand to benefit from, blended finance models that are opening doors to large-scale capital, and why global institutional investors are increasingly looking to Canadian Indigenous infrastructure. This is exactly the conversation FNMPC exists to be part of. The more decision-makers and capital holders understand the value of Indigenous ownership and partnership, the better positioned our member communities are when major projects come to their territories. Mark joined Fred Di Blasio (Longhouse Capital Partners), Jody Anderson, CAPA (First Nations Finance Authority), and moderator Darryl Murphy (Aviva Investors) on the panel. #FirstNations #IndigenousEconomies #Infrastructure #CanadianInvestment #FNMPC

Today is Moose Hide Campaign Day, an Indigenous-led movement grounded in ceremony, accountability, and the shared responsibility to end violence against women, children, and all those along the gender continuum. At FNMPC, we recognize that respect, safety, and accountability must exist across our communities, workplaces, leadership, and industries. We encourage everyone taking part today to wear their moose hide pin, reflect on the purpose behind the campaign, and continue the work of ending violence in all its forms. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/g6BZ9mc #MooseHideCampaignDay #MooseHideCampaign

Last week, more than 2,000 people came to Toronto for FNMPC's 9th Annual Conference. First Nations leaders, global Indigenous voices, and the people making decisions about Canada's biggest infrastructure and resource projects were all in the same room, working through what Indigenous economic leadership looks like in practice. These aren't new conversations for us. FNMPC has been building toward this for years — developing the expertise, the tools, and the relationships that help member Nations navigate major projects on their own terms. The difference now is that the rest of Canada is catching up to what First Nations have known all along: that this country's economic future runs through Indigenous territory, and that means running through Indigenous decision-makers. The Globe and Mail covered the conference this week. For anyone who couldn't be in the room, it's a good window into where things stand and where they're going. "We won't be passive people in decisions about our economies. Look around this room. This is the future." — Mark Podlasly, FNMPC CEO https://lnkd.in/gFKeuc6V

From April 29 to May 1, we welcomed First Nations leaders, delegates, industry partners, governments, investors, and sponsors from across Turtle Island and beyond to Toronto for FNMPC 2026. Nearly two weeks later, we’re still reflecting on the conversations, relationships, and momentum that came out of this year’s gathering. From major project discussions to Nation-to-Nation connections, the conference highlighted the growing strength of First Nations leadership in the economy and across major projects. Miigwech to everyone who joined us, supported the event, and helped make #FNMPC2026 such a success.

As conversations around major projects, consent, and regulatory processes continue across Canada, First Nations are increasingly leading and shaping how impact assessment work is carried out. This feature from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada highlights work connected to FNMPC’s Environment and Impact Assessment team and broader efforts to support Nation-led participation in project review and decision-making processes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eVQuPySN

Today, on Red Dress Day, we remember and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This day is about more than awareness. It reflects ongoing loss, and the responsibility to confront the systems that continue to put Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people at risk. We’re sharing Mountain Prayer by Dani Lion and Jodie B — a powerful expression of remembrance, grief, and strength. As First Nations continue to lead in all areas of nation-building, safety and dignity for our women and girls must remain non-negotiable. #MMIWG #RedDressDay https://lnkd.in/ddsqntV8

Two days.Two thousand delegates. And the 10th Annual Conference already on the horizon. The 9th Annual FNMPC Conference closed this afternoon with remarks from Board Chair Sharleen Gale and CEO Mark Podlasly — and the energy in the room said it all. Mark was joined on stage by John Stackhouse of RBC to announce that RBC will return as Title Sponsor of the 10th Annual FNMPC Conference in 2027. We are grateful for RBC's continued partnership and commitment to Indigenous economic reconciliation in Canada. We are proud to announce the theme for 2027: First Nations, Global Capital, and the Partnerships that will Define Canada. We also got a moment with Joseph Lane, the First Nations artist whose work will define the look of next year's conference. #FNMPC2026 #FNMPC2027 #IndigenousEconomicReconciliation

The afternoon sessions at Day 2 brought the conference's focus to policy, land, and what it takes to build lasting economic power on Indigenous terms. Angel Ransom, RPP MCIP led a session on FNMPC's Spirit of the Land Toolkit — a practical framework for embedding cultural rights, Indigenous law, and community perspectives directly into project assessment processes. That carried into a conversation on trade infrastructure, with Donna Flavell and Craig West of Waikato-Tainui and Mayor Michael Spence of Churchill speaking to Indigenous ownership of ports, logistics networks, and trade corridors as long-term economic assets. The final sessions turned north, into defence and procurement. From Arctic security with Lieutenant-Colonel M.S. Moody, to Flowing River Capital's acquisition of Marshall Land Systems, to federal procurement with leaders from Cold Lake First Nations, Pro Metal Industries, and Glooscap Ventures — the conversation centred on how Nations build capacity, get in early, and participate in these opportunities on meaningful terms. #FNMPC2026 #IndigenousEconomicReconciliation #IndigenousOwnership #FNMPC

While the main stage tackled capital markets and policy this morning, two intimate lunch conversations were happening down the hall. Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada brought together Indigenous business leaders to explore how First Nations can plug into Canada's export economy — from resource supply chains to trade-enabling infrastructure. With Sean Willy of Des Nedhe Group and First Nations Bank of Canada's Booker Cornea in the room, the conversation was grounded in real experience. Sponsored by BHP, the Indigenous Youth and the Future session brought together a rising generation of Indigenous professionals from Canada, Australia, and beyond — including voices from Goldman Sachs, UBC Sauder School of Business, and the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership — to talk about how Indigenous worldviews are reshaping institutions and industries. Thank you to Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada and BHP for sponsoring today's lunch sessions. #FNMPC2026 #IndigenousEconomicReconciliation #IndigenousYouth #ExportDevelopmentCanada #BHP

The morning sessions at Day 2 of the 9th Annual FNMPC Conference got straight to the point: how does existing Indigenous capital get turned into real ownership of projects on our lands? Ernie Daniels of the First Nations Finance Authority opened the conversation alongside panelists walking through the financial tools and structures that make that possible in practice — from bond markets to equity stakes in major infrastructure. That carried into a session on public markets introduced by Jim Hemsworth, Indigenous Relations Partner at Air Canada, with TMX Group, Nations Royalty, and industry leaders on what it actually takes for Nation-owned businesses to list, access capital at scale, and operate within those systems. The Honourable Rebecca Alty and Premier Doug Ford both offered remarks on how policy and capital need to work together to advance Indigenous-led major projects in Canada. A strong morning. More this afternoon. #FNMPC2026 #IndigenousEconomicReconciliation #IndigenousOwnership