Drumbeats - Canadian Indigenous Investment Podcast

Chana Martineau, CEO of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, joins Co-Chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant to discuss how Indigenous communities are leading major investments in Alberta’s key sectors. With over 30 years in finance, Chana shares her insights on economic reconciliation, inclusive leadership, and building long-term partnerships across industries.

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 f...

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 develo...

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 Seafo...

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 s...

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, guide...

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 i...

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 incent...

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 Listen...

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 i...

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 emerg...

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 inclu...

Jaimie Lickers, CIBC’s Senior Vice President of Indigenous Markets shares how her work is helping Indigenous communities build lasting economic strength. With over $27 billion in trust assets now under management, CIBC holds the largest Indigenous trust portfolio in Canada. She also opens up about a brand-new partnership with Longhouse Capital, and how this collaboration is changing the game.

In this episode, we explore how key decisions, strong community leadership, and impactful partnerships have reshaped the region’s economy. From Selkirk First Nation’s control of the Minto Mine to Kwanlin Dün’s growing ventures, this is a story of reclaiming control, forging new futures, and demonstrating the power of Indigenous leadership.

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 par...

The 2024 Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit, held at Mansion House, brought together Indigenous leaders and business executives from Canada and London to discuss key investment opportunities in Canada’s energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. The event featured important discussions on how to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into sustainable business practices, ensuring long-t...

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. Th...

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...

Chief Ted Williams of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation shares his journey in driving economic growth and financial success for the community. As a key figure in the development of Casino Rama, he later took on the role of Vice President of Corporate Affairs, overseeing its rapid expansion. In its first year alone, the casino generated $590 million and created 3,400 jobs, far exceeding initial pr...

Matt Smith, a proud member of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan and CEO of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation (SIIFC), discusses how SIIFC is expanding Indigenous access to capital, the province’s $12 billion critical minerals industry, and the exciting opportunities in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), estimated to be at $150 billion per sector by 2040. Learn how Indigenous commu...

Clint Davis, CEO of Cedar Leaf Capital Inc., is working to open doors for Indigenous people, businesses, and communities in capital markets. As the first majority Indigenous-owned investment dealer in Canada, Cedar Leaf Capital is creating new financial opportunities and strengthening partnerships. Clint has built a career in law, government, and finance. He led Indigenous banking at BMO and TD, s...

In this insightful podcast interview, Chief Derek Epp discusses how First Nations are driving economic growth through financial sovereignty. With over $2 billion in loans issued, a recent $650 million debenture, and a $1 billion deal in progress, Indigenous communities are taking control of decision-making. He highlights how financial empowerment enables First Nations to lead sustainable projects...

Mark Sevestre, Senior Advisor at Mokwateh and former Founding Member of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), shares his experience in advancing Indigenous participation in the Canadian market. He discusses creating procurement opportunities for Indigenous communities, building partnerships based on shared values, and supporting non-Indigenous investors in building impactful...

Mark Podlasly, the newly appointed CEO of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC), shares insights on supporting 14 projects with a total expenditure of $45 billion. Explore FNMPC's journey in empowering Indigenous Peoples to become key strategic partners in Canada, the $585 billion needed to meet co-investment goals, and innovative strategies to ensure continued access to affordably pr...

Kody Penner, Vice President of Corporate Development for Nations Royalty, discusses how the company helps build capacity for Indigenous Peoples through public markets, enabling them to create wealth and unlock the maximum value of their benefit agreement royalty through a portfolio of diversified royalties – lowering the risk associated with holding a single asset. He also shares insights into the...