First Nations Infrastructure Institute

Allan Claxton is a former chief of Tsawout First Nation on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. As the inaugural Development Board Chair of the First Nations Infrastructure Institute, he speaks nationally about the value of successful infrastructure growth to community prosperity. He also helped kick off the Leading the Way 8 Conference held on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the C...

" You can stand in line at the Department of Indian Affairs to help finance your programs, or you can look to do it yourself. " That comment by Brian Jones , General Manager of Sumas First Nation, captures the essence of a very informative breakout session at the Leading the Way 8 Conference.  The discussion " Creative Optimization of FMA Tools to Support Infrastructure Development&...

Two progressive First Nations in British Columbia are among 50 Nations and/or organizations that have begun relationships with the First Nations Infrastructure Institute. Join moderator Jason Calla as he explores how Tsawout and Sumas First Nations are using similar tools to advance their individual economic, social and cultural interests. Panel: "Unlocking Infrastructure Potential: Creative...

Sharlene Gale is on a mission to promote infrastructure projects in First Nations. As Executive Chair of the First Nations Major Project Coalition , she has been involved in massive energy projects, but has seen the merits of small, community-based infrastructure as well. Host Richard Perry spoke with Ms. Gale during a break at the recent Leading the Way 8 conference in Markham, Ontario. (Apologie...

Tsawout First Nation is one of many communities working with the First Nations Infrastructure Institute. Chief Abraham Pelkey and Council members have a list of current and future projects to advance the Nation's interests. Chief Pelkey spoke with host Richard Perry after appearing on a panel at the Leading the Way 8 conference in Markham, Ontario in October 2025. LINKS: Tsawout First Nation...

"Show me the money" made for a great movie line, but it's also a common refrain in many First Nations communities planning infrastructure projects. Greg Diemer, CFO for Tsawout First Nation knows all about capital financing. Where a Band can find it, and where it can't. Particularly challenging is when a First Nation can't get infrastructure financing if a significant part...

Steve Doucette and his team at Nipissing First Nation manage water and wastewater treatment, including waterline installations, well-monitoring and pump house upgrades, and maintenance.   As Director of Community Infrastructure and Planning, he's responsible for managing ongoing infrastructure and capital planning processes. At the Leading the Way 8 conference in October 2025, Doucette spoke...

Councillor Dawn Francois likes to tell the story of how she discovered the First Nations Infrastructure Institute. And how it started a path that could pay big dividends for her community of Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band), in British Columbia. In this conversation, she is joined by fellow councillor Julie John , to talk about infrastructure needs and the value to commu...

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 withou...

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...

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 Nat...

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...

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 In...

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 Lead...

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 succe...

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 Centre of Indigenous Economics education in 2022 and completed her certificate this year. Holmstrom is currently Tax Administrato...

FNII Technical Lead Jason Calla leads a panel discussion at the recent Leading the Way 6 conference held in November 2023 in unceded Algonquin territory in Gatineau, QC. Jason speaks with Chief Kimberley Bressette (Kettle and Stony Point, ON), Paula Pictou, Lands Manager at Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation, NS, as well as Darcy Gray of Mi'gma'gi Management and Consulting and James MacKinnon...

Jason Calla and his technical team at FNII are expecting to be very busy in the days and months ahead. Beginning with two 'proof of concept' projects, FNII has recently become a newly-legislation addition to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, which will open opportunities to support new projects. On top of that, the process is underway to appoint a new Advisory Board and engage pot...

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 t...

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...

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...

Host Richard Perry speaks with two of the 'behind-the-scenes' 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. Recorded in the un-ce...

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...

Keith Matthew loves sharing stories about creating wealth and opportunity in First Nation communities. Keith, who sits on the FNII development board, is a member of the Simpcw First Nation where he served five years as Chief and five years as councillor. During his time serving his community, he was responsible for economic development activities and sees the value of infrastructure in creating mo...

Carl Yates is leading an organization that has made history as the first Indigenous water utility in Canada. Once complete, the AFNWA will assume responsibility for water and wastewater services for as many as 4,500 households and businesses located in up to 17 participating First Nations. This represents approximately 60% of the on-reserve population of First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada...