WEBVTT 00:00:00.170 --> 00:00:03.069 Welcome to Drumbeats, the must -listen -to podcast 00:00:03.069 --> 00:00:05.710 which explains why Indigenous partnerships are 00:00:05.710 --> 00:00:08.710 the key to securing successful outcomes in natural 00:00:08.710 --> 00:00:11.070 resource and infrastructure investment in Canada. 00:00:12.789 --> 00:00:16.429 I'm Mark McNacca, and my co -host Robert Brandt 00:00:16.429 --> 00:00:19.589 is unfortunately not with us today, as he has 00:00:19.589 --> 00:00:22.190 the good luck to be at the annual powwow of the 00:00:22.190 --> 00:00:25.679 Mohawks of the Bay of Kinty this week. We've 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:28.179 had many questions about the impact of the Building 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:31.820 Canada Act from our last podcast. So we want 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:34.479 to use this opportunity to share some of the 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:36.820 most relevant conversations during the past four 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:40.420 months, starting from the 2025 summit earlier 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.240 this year in April, as well as some of our most 00:00:43.240 --> 00:00:47.939 recent Drumbeats podcasts. Last week, Rob Brant 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:53.700 and I discussed Bill C -5, which is two important 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:56.539 acts. the Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act 00:00:56.539 --> 00:01:01.380 and the Building Canada Act. The first act focuses 00:01:01.380 --> 00:01:04.000 on removing federal trade and labour mobility 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:07.260 barriers within Canada. As we've discussed many 00:01:07.260 --> 00:01:10.439 times, the internal market in Canada is not complete. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:14.280 While the Building Canada Act focuses on streamlining 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:17.319 federal project approvals for national interest 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:22.780 projects. The Act focuses on how to advance these 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:25.900 projects rather than whether or not to proceed 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:29.299 with them. It is important for you, our listeners, 00:01:29.540 --> 00:01:32.000 to understand about the Building Canada Act. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:36.900 It introduces a framework for streamlining the 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:39.560 federal review process for infrastructure projects 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:43.000 deemed to be in the national interest. These 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.260 projects will be identified by the government 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:48.379 over the next few months and will be listed separately, 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:50.739 and I'm sure we'll be discussing them on our 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:54.450 podcast. The Building Canada Act. is focused 00:01:54.450 --> 00:01:57.909 not whether to proceed, but how to advance these 00:01:57.909 --> 00:02:01.450 projects, potentially impacting existing federal 00:02:01.450 --> 00:02:04.870 review processes, like the Impact Assessment 00:02:04.870 --> 00:02:08.889 Act. The Act also provides a provision for consultation 00:02:08.889 --> 00:02:11.750 with regulatory bodies and allows for exemptions 00:02:11.750 --> 00:02:14.810 from certain laws and regulations for designated 00:02:14.810 --> 00:02:18.909 projects. And of course, there is a sunset clause. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:22.039 limiting the streamlined approval process to 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:25.319 a five -year period for new projects unless extended 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:29.479 specifically by legislation. However, the Act 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:32.539 has also been divisive, as there are significant 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:35.360 impacts of the Act not only on the environment, 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.639 but on Indigenous rights and the duty to consult. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:43.539 During the past two years, corporate institutional 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:48.620 investors, asset managers, and shareholders as 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:51.199 well as professional strategic advisors, have 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.219 counted on the Canadian Indigenous Investment 00:02:53.219 --> 00:02:57.379 Platform, our summit, our weekly newsletters 00:02:57.379 --> 00:02:59.639 and podcasts to provide them with the foundation 00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:04.699 to succeed in Canada. Given the impact of the 00:03:04.699 --> 00:03:08.120 Act, we want to review with you some of the key 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:11.419 outtakes from the 2025 Summit, so you are ready 00:03:11.419 --> 00:03:14.360 for when the qualifying projects under the Building 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:16.639 Canada Act are announced during the next few 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:19.789 months. The summit we hosted earlier this year 00:03:19.789 --> 00:03:23.050 in April was also the largest gathering of Indigenous 00:03:23.050 --> 00:03:27.710 peoples ever hosted in the UK for at least 300 00:03:27.710 --> 00:03:34.409 years. We had over 144 senior delegates attend 00:03:34.409 --> 00:03:38.229 our summit. But it wasn't the scale that mattered. 00:03:38.349 --> 00:03:43.090 It was the substance of the conversations. The 00:03:43.090 --> 00:03:46.969 keynote conversation to kick off the summit featured... 00:03:47.150 --> 00:03:49.889 a number of the most well -known Indigenous leaders 00:03:49.889 --> 00:03:53.930 in Canada. Robert Brandt, who's also my co -host 00:03:53.930 --> 00:03:56.710 and co -chair of the summit and is partner and 00:03:56.710 --> 00:03:58.789 co -head of Indigenous Projects and Transaction 00:03:58.789 --> 00:04:02.849 at McCarthy Tetral. Tabitha Bull, President and 00:04:02.849 --> 00:04:05.069 CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. 00:04:06.689 --> 00:04:09.509 Harold Calla, Executive Chair of the First Nations 00:04:09.509 --> 00:04:13.629 Financial Management Board. And Mark Podlasly. 00:04:14.110 --> 00:04:16.670 CEO of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. 00:04:18.230 --> 00:04:22.410 They demonstrated something fundamental. Indigenous 00:04:22.410 --> 00:04:25.449 nations aren't just stakeholders in Canada's 00:04:25.449 --> 00:04:31.730 economy. They are rights holders. Here is Robert 00:04:31.730 --> 00:04:35.730 Brand to introduce the summit. This is not the 00:04:35.730 --> 00:04:38.649 Canada of 15 or even 10 years ago in terms of 00:04:38.649 --> 00:04:42.370 economic clout and successes of Indigenous people 00:04:42.370 --> 00:04:44.970 right across Canada. Now more than ever, Canadian 00:04:44.970 --> 00:04:48.329 law, government policy, all support the advancement 00:04:48.329 --> 00:04:50.889 of economic reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous 00:04:50.889 --> 00:04:54.389 peoples. And the non -Indigenous business sector 00:04:54.389 --> 00:04:57.230 is coming to understand that it's not only the 00:04:57.230 --> 00:04:59.370 law, but it makes good business sense to work 00:04:59.370 --> 00:05:03.930 with Canada's Indigenous people in a meaningful 00:05:03.930 --> 00:05:07.149 and respectful way. That's the way you get things 00:05:07.149 --> 00:05:10.949 done now in Canada. And of course, it's a very 00:05:10.949 --> 00:05:13.110 interesting time in Canadian history, as ever. 00:05:13.709 --> 00:05:15.970 whether you're talking about turf wars of 1710 00:05:15.970 --> 00:05:20.370 or on again, off again, tariff and energy transition 00:05:20.370 --> 00:05:25.449 wars of 2025. And I think we can all relax. Washington 00:05:25.449 --> 00:05:30.629 is still sleeping. A couple of hours of sanity 00:05:30.629 --> 00:05:36.250 before they wake up. But these are the trials 00:05:36.250 --> 00:05:40.069 that make life interesting and rewarding for 00:05:40.069 --> 00:05:43.759 those who don't shirk from the challenge. And 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:45.740 Canada's Indigenous people are taking up the 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:47.839 challenges and opportunities like never before. 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:51.459 The days of trying to build projects or businesses 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:53.600 in Indigenous territories without a meaningful 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:56.439 partnership with the local Indigenous nations 00:05:56.439 --> 00:06:03.220 are over, and they're not coming back. You know, 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:06.040 we talk a lot right now in Canada about the speed 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:08.509 at which projects have to... take to get over 00:06:08.509 --> 00:06:11.750 the line. I think some regulations need to change, 00:06:11.850 --> 00:06:14.230 but I also think as Indigenous people, that's 00:06:14.230 --> 00:06:16.910 a win for us. Like when people are now saying 00:06:16.910 --> 00:06:20.509 we can't move project fast because we have to 00:06:20.509 --> 00:06:22.790 work with Indigenous people and we have to get 00:06:22.790 --> 00:06:25.610 approvals from environment, First Nation rights, 00:06:25.750 --> 00:06:29.069 when that is top of mind for people, I think 00:06:29.069 --> 00:06:33.470 as Indigenous leaders, we've won here. For sure 00:06:33.470 --> 00:06:35.829 we need to like move through some of the regulatory. 00:06:36.509 --> 00:06:38.930 assessment issues and make projects move faster. 00:06:39.050 --> 00:06:42.230 But I think it's an initial thought that people 00:06:42.230 --> 00:06:44.769 have. And I think that's very positive from a 00:06:44.769 --> 00:06:47.189 perspective of just the way that industry and 00:06:47.189 --> 00:06:49.889 government is thinking. I think the other thing 00:06:49.889 --> 00:06:51.670 that's really changed is it's not just about 00:06:51.670 --> 00:06:56.079 law, it's about leadership. Indigenous people 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:58.639 are the fastest growing people in Canada. And 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:00.660 we think about the youth and the opportunities 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:04.259 and all of the leaders in this room and the pride 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:07.639 that we have as Indigenous people. We have businesses 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:10.879 who still actually have two different business 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.139 cards, one that says they're an Indigenous business 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:15.360 and one that says they're not. And in certain 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:17.939 parts in the province, they use a different business 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:21.680 card. But in those provinces that have corporations 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:25.459 and government who really recognize and honor 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:27.480 and understand the benefit of working with Indigenous 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:30.560 businesses, that has really been able to move 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:33.399 us forward. And it's allowed us to have delegations 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:35.579 like this, to have all of these Indigenous leaders 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:38.560 here talking with pride about Indigenous business 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:41.879 and economic development. And I think that has 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:48.259 also been incredible progress. I'm an accountant 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:51.019 by training. I worked in international business 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:54.819 and came home to my community in 1987. I come 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:58.540 from a family that has been involved in leadership 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:00.720 of the Squamish nation since amalgamation took 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:05.100 place in 1923. We were a nation before colonization. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:08.560 We were divided up into 16 different Indian bands, 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:12.259 and over a four -year period, we negotiated with 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:16.480 one another and reconstituted the nation. through 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.939 a prayer that was delivered to the government 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:22.379 of Canada. My grandfather was part of that exercise. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:28.259 When I came home, I was astounded that all of 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:30.139 the things I had heard as a child that I thought 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.980 were just bitter old people complaining were 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:36.360 true. And I was astounded at what we couldn't 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:39.179 do. I'd been in international business six months 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:41.679 before, capable of making decisions, doing things 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:44.740 for myself. I came back home and I sat across 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:47.919 the table being looked at as an Indian for the 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:51.440 first time. The fact that I had an accounting 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:53.440 degree, international experience, didn't mean 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:55.600 anything. Couldn't make decisions. I needed the 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:59.460 minister to make decisions. So we've come a long 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:04.500 way. And we've come along this journey in part 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:09.299 because of the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:13.750 defined the need. for the colony to engage the 00:09:13.750 --> 00:09:17.289 indigenous people. That evolved into eventually 00:09:17.289 --> 00:09:20.730 in 1982 a constitution which affirmed the presence 00:09:20.730 --> 00:09:23.190 of Aboriginal treaty rights and the right to 00:09:23.190 --> 00:09:26.509 self -government. And then we spent 40 years 00:09:26.509 --> 00:09:28.549 in the courts arguing about what that might be. 00:09:29.850 --> 00:09:32.549 An opportunity passed us by and our communities 00:09:32.549 --> 00:09:38.190 continued to suffer. I think that what we created 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:41.340 and there was a number of communities who did 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:47.259 this, was obvious. The needs were obvious. The 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:50.659 pathway to get there was very difficult. And 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:53.419 so we've been successful because we persevered. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:57.419 And I really appreciate the leadership that's 00:09:57.419 --> 00:10:00.360 here today from First Nation communities, because 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:04.059 you have made the Fiscal Management Act, which 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:07.659 created three institutions that you'll see here 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:11.639 today. a success, your engagement, and you've 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:15.179 proven that Indigenous people can do it by themselves. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.600 And here's Mark Podlasny's comment on the matter. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.580 What's happened now is that with what Harold 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:23.399 has pointed out is the rights of Indigenous people 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.539 coming through from the Royal Proclamation to 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:27.980 the Constitution of Canada, and now increasingly 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:30.120 to the United Nations Declaration of the Rights 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:32.460 of Indigenous People, these documents require 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:34.500 the free prior informed consent of Indigenous 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:38.639 people in projects that reflect our rights. Now, 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:40.679 you move forward to the world where it is now, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:42.899 is that Canada is now in a position where we 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:45.139 need to get to new markets to diversify ourselves 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:47.120 in the United States. We need to reach out to 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:50.100 new markets abroad. In order to do that, Indigenous 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:52.879 rights will be affected by any investment, any 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.440 decisions making, government permitting. So now 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:58.340 Indigenous people realize we are in a very key 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:01.519 position. Investment risk, de -risking projects, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:04.320 involvement of Indigenous people from cultural... 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:07.080 perspective, but also now economic certainty. 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:10.500 Speed in order to get to markets is all now falling 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.279 to indigenous people. The coalition supports 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.179 those nations who want to invest, co -invest 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:19.820 with investors in those projects in our territories, 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.419 providing the projects are compatible with the 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:25.779 social, economic, social and environmental and 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:28.240 a kind spiritual values of the host nations. 00:11:29.610 --> 00:11:32.210 175 nations in the country is about one third 00:11:32.210 --> 00:11:34.210 of all the nations in the country, which should 00:11:34.210 --> 00:11:36.629 smash the myth that Indigenous people are against 00:11:36.629 --> 00:11:40.110 investment. We are pro -investment provided it's 00:11:40.110 --> 00:11:43.350 a smart investment. One thing that we pointed 00:11:43.350 --> 00:11:45.350 out at the coalition is if you have an Indigenous 00:11:45.350 --> 00:11:48.830 co -investor in your project, you have a co -proponent. 00:11:49.210 --> 00:11:51.750 No co -proponent can ever argue that they have 00:11:51.750 --> 00:11:54.269 not given consent. So it provides a sense of 00:11:54.269 --> 00:11:58.029 certainty that nothing else can. Matt Smith. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.279 At the time, CEO of Saskatchewan's Indigenous 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:04.919 Investment Finance Corporation outlined how small 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:08.059 modular reactors will transform Indigenous territories, 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:12.100 replacing diesel, creating equity ownership and 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:15.179 building energy sovereignty. Chief Tammy Cook 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:18.559 -Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band explained 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:21.700 why they moved early. We've always supported 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:25.379 the industry, the uranium industry and small... 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:29.399 Modular reactors were one of them that we wanted 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:31.220 to be part of in the beginning because a lot 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:33.360 of times as First Nations we get left behind 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:37.220 or kind of like an afterthought. So we wanted 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:40.480 to make sure that we were forefront and supporting 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:46.220 that new technology. So we did sign a memorandum 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:50.419 of understanding with other First Nations because 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:54.860 we seen it as like it wasn't taken lightly. And 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:57.279 it was something that we thought about and thought, 00:12:57.419 --> 00:13:01.720 like, how will this be embraced? So we wanted 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:04.419 to make sure that we looked at all the different 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:07.100 angles, like we looked at the environment, we 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:11.059 looked at the economic opportunity that was there. 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:15.759 And then so we started exploring the idea of 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:19.169 partnering and making sure that we're... We're 00:13:19.169 --> 00:13:22.190 embracing the technology that's coming in. So 00:13:22.190 --> 00:13:25.909 we see small modular reactors or SMRs as an extension 00:13:25.909 --> 00:13:29.710 of our involvement in the nuclear industry. So 00:13:29.710 --> 00:13:32.129 our communities have supported the mining in 00:13:32.129 --> 00:13:35.269 northern Saskatchewan, the uranium mining, because 00:13:35.269 --> 00:13:40.789 we see the benefit. We see the jobs that come 00:13:40.789 --> 00:13:42.970 out of there, the economic benefit, and then 00:13:42.970 --> 00:13:46.269 also make the careful consideration of the environment. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.580 the footprint that's left with the industry. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:53.620 So we wanted to make sure that our Indigenous 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:57.080 voices were heard at the table. And we did look 00:13:57.080 --> 00:14:00.179 at one of the models that the Saskatchewan Research 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:04.179 Council has set up in Saskatoon, which is southern 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:06.980 Saskatchewan. So they do have it set up there. 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:10.740 It's an Avinci model, but we took our elders 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:14.309 there. And they were able to ask questions and 00:14:14.309 --> 00:14:18.389 look at it and see the model and look at what 00:14:18.389 --> 00:14:22.370 the footprint is, how it looks like, how many 00:14:22.370 --> 00:14:25.389 houses it can power. Because right now our power 00:14:25.389 --> 00:14:29.759 comes from south into our community. Last year, 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:32.759 we were out of power for four days because of 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:35.820 a forest fire in the south, like far from our 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:40.240 community, but yet it impacted us. So we do need 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.980 reliable power. And there's more communities 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:45.399 that, you know, that don't have the same access 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:47.980 to power. Like before, we didn't really need 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.159 the power because we all had our wood stoves 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:53.899 and our lanterns. But now we rely on the power 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:56.879 for heat and everything. So it is important for 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:59.580 us to have that sustainable power, clean energy. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:04.580 Cedar LNG, the world's first majority Indigenous 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:09.259 -owned LNG facility, valued over $5 .5 billion 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:12.379 Canadian dollars, proved Indigenous leadership 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:15.840 can set industrial environmental standards globally. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:19.860 Here's Chief Crystal Smith, at the time Chief 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.940 Councillor of the Haisla Nation, and Cedar LNG 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:27.299 board member. Our Haisla members, we're 2 ,000 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.860 and continuously growing membership. Majority 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:33.279 reside within the local region. However, we have 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:37.080 Haisla members across Canada and across the world. 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:40.179 We aren't new to industrial development. We had 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:43.960 an aluminum smelter, a pulp and paper mill, and 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:47.000 a methanol plant, all in operations in our territory. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:51.940 for many years, which we did not have our active 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:55.120 participation in. We sat across the Douglas Channel 00:15:55.120 --> 00:16:00.480 and get to see a lot of the community next to 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:04.120 us and the people within it benefit while our 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:08.519 people still lived in poverty. LNG was relatively 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:12.259 new to our territory. Our leadership started 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:18.080 the conversations within the 80s. own reserve 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:20.220 across on the west side of the Douglas Channel 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:23.279 that was proposed for an actual import facility 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:26.940 during the 80s. However, that project obviously 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:30.179 did not come to fruition. So our people weren't 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:33.919 new to the industry, but we saw an opportunity. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:38.820 Our leadership of the time often quoted saying, 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:42.120 we just want a share and a say. A share in opportunities, 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:45.500 a share in wealth, and a say in how these projects 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:48.600 were being developed. And I think, you know, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:54.179 as that quote became more solid through LNG Canada's 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:59.200 process of building their facility, our people 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:05.220 find so much pride in saying that we now have 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.099 a share and a say. English River First Nation 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:11.559 and Denison Mines. built the Wheeler River Uranium 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:15.140 Project on a co -designed consent model, embedding 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:18.960 Indigenous governance from day one. Sean Willey, 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:23.700 CEO of Desnetti Group, made it plain. Talked 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.759 about what's imperative in our First Nations 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:28.500 to create their own source of revenue. One of 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:31.680 the hurdles in Canada is the procurement policy 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:34.099 of the federal government. And it's funny, when 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:36.059 you have a downturn in the uranium market and 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:38.259 we have all this extra capacity within our companies 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:41.380 and our people that we try to bid on infrastructure 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:44.019 within our own community, and the federal government 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:46.380 says, no, we're going to give that to... a southern 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:48.859 company from somewhere away and we'll probably 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.720 you'll probably get two labor jobs out of it 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.599 and that's what's happened within English River 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:55.039 so our chief and council said oh let's start 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.759 using our own source revenue working with our 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:00.500 indigenous financial institutions and we'll start 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:02.700 to build our own infrastructure so here you have 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:05.619 a photo of a the new chief and council is coming 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:08.339 in building new band offices we're going to build 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:12.000 a new commercial center and elders facility so 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:15.670 that we do not have to send our elders out for 00:18:15.670 --> 00:18:18.329 their end of life care any longer. And let's 00:18:18.329 --> 00:18:20.509 use all of our group of companies as much as 00:18:20.509 --> 00:18:24.309 possible to try to amplify and keep Indigenous 00:18:24.309 --> 00:18:27.490 money in the Indigenous communities that their 00:18:27.490 --> 00:18:29.849 new ownership comes from. At the same time, let's 00:18:29.849 --> 00:18:32.390 try to tie in training programs because now that 00:18:32.390 --> 00:18:35.269 Denison is about a year away from construction, 00:18:35.569 --> 00:18:39.089 we can then use this project to train up Denison's 00:18:39.089 --> 00:18:41.410 future workforce. So it's, again, it's another 00:18:41.410 --> 00:18:43.750 model of using your own source of revenue to 00:18:43.750 --> 00:18:45.990 create those opportunities within the home community. 00:18:46.789 --> 00:18:50.670 David Cates, CEO of Denison Mines, commented. 00:18:50.990 --> 00:18:54.349 You know, I think there's a perception from mining 00:18:54.349 --> 00:18:59.390 and industry that somehow mine development projects 00:18:59.390 --> 00:19:03.950 will, of course, generate incredible value and 00:19:03.950 --> 00:19:07.589 somehow enrich the lives of those that might 00:19:07.589 --> 00:19:10.259 be associated with it. I'm not saying that we 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:13.440 came into negotiations with that textbook sort 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:19.900 of script for Wheeler River. The nation is perfectly 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:24.460 fine if there is no uranium mine. And in fact, 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:28.019 many in the nation would prefer that there be 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:31.559 no additional uranium mine. And so that was the 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:35.720 context there that it was not that the nation 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:39.380 is against development. We had been speaking 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:45.839 to Chief McIntyre and visiting and consulting, 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:50.539 engaging with the nation for some time. And we 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:53.839 were always welcome and appreciated that we would 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:58.059 spend the time to learn about English River. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:02.940 But the reality was that we assessed, you know, 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:05.750 this is the business inside of this. As we assessed, 00:20:05.849 --> 00:20:08.269 what Cheyenne has said is authentic, that this 00:20:08.269 --> 00:20:11.410 was not a negotiation maneuver. If the project 00:20:11.410 --> 00:20:13.809 and the arrangement we might reach around the 00:20:13.809 --> 00:20:17.309 project was not sufficient to make the project 00:20:17.309 --> 00:20:21.329 something that the nation wanted to happen, that 00:20:21.329 --> 00:20:24.109 we would not achieve support from English River. 00:20:24.450 --> 00:20:26.289 And that's why I started with the introduction 00:20:26.289 --> 00:20:30.549 around our indigenous people's policy and particularly 00:20:30.549 --> 00:20:33.450 my journey on this to understand that. Well, 00:20:33.470 --> 00:20:35.910 we certainly have a business that we'd like to 00:20:35.910 --> 00:20:37.970 advance that involves developing uranium mining 00:20:37.970 --> 00:20:41.990 in northern Saskatchewan. And, you know, understanding 00:20:41.990 --> 00:20:45.430 where English River was coming from was a critical 00:20:45.430 --> 00:20:50.309 part of us crafting a plan to get there. Critical 00:20:50.309 --> 00:20:52.390 minerals is one of the most important subjects 00:20:52.390 --> 00:20:55.390 on the table. And in the province of Ontario, 00:20:55.829 --> 00:20:58.890 the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister 00:20:58.890 --> 00:21:01.910 responsible for the Ring of Fire, the Honourable... 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:05.460 Greg Rickford spoke directly to delegates. But 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:08.019 for the country of Canada and for Ontario especially, 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:11.920 who would be most impacted by the constellation 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:14.339 of tariffs that have been removed and applied 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:20.220 and proposed and imposed, we will suffer potentially 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:24.200 the greatest. Here's what I heard today from 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:26.980 our First Nations Indigenous business leaders, 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:32.609 including Sean in his panel earlier. Whether 00:21:32.609 --> 00:21:38.630 it was the War of 1812 or a cultural group in 00:21:38.630 --> 00:21:42.849 Canada in the highest proportion to stand when 00:21:42.849 --> 00:21:46.930 the world called on England, the United States 00:21:46.930 --> 00:21:52.069 and Canada to protect its freedom. It was the 00:21:52.069 --> 00:21:54.269 First Nations communities in Canada that joined 00:21:54.269 --> 00:21:56.789 in the largest numbers. And in the context of 00:21:56.789 --> 00:22:00.210 these tariffs, guess who was the first group 00:22:00.210 --> 00:22:03.579 to come? to the government of Ontario and the 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:06.740 government of Canada and let us know that they 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:10.140 were here and they were by our side to help, 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:13.779 if not lead. It was Indigenous political and 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:18.220 business leaders. So we are in this moment right 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:22.799 at a critical intersection of opportunity. Because 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:26.019 as we heard earlier today, this can be viewed 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:30.990 two ways. One, we can admit that there's been 00:22:30.990 --> 00:22:35.130 some low -hanging fruit in Canada's indulgence 00:22:35.130 --> 00:22:38.349 with the United States, some respects quite logical 00:22:38.349 --> 00:22:41.150 given our proximity to the United States, the 00:22:41.150 --> 00:22:46.230 largest undefended border the world over. But 00:22:46.230 --> 00:22:50.230 that comment earlier today on one of the panels 00:22:50.230 --> 00:22:52.930 that we are never going back to the place we 00:22:52.930 --> 00:22:57.240 were. rings true for us here in Canada more so 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:01.140 than it might for others. So as a province, we 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:03.500 have been blessed with Indigenous business leaders 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:07.710 and political leaders who've said... Let's get 00:23:07.710 --> 00:23:10.349 down to business. Let's look at what's happening 00:23:10.349 --> 00:23:13.950 in our country. And for the purposes of today, 00:23:14.130 --> 00:23:16.509 it wouldn't surprise us that Indigenous business 00:23:16.509 --> 00:23:19.549 leaders see this entirely different than provincial 00:23:19.549 --> 00:23:22.470 and federal governments. That it's London where 00:23:22.470 --> 00:23:26.410 they should be, making new partnerships with 00:23:26.410 --> 00:23:29.730 the cradle, not just of the crown, but of some 00:23:29.730 --> 00:23:32.769 of the greatest innovations in the financial 00:23:32.769 --> 00:23:37.680 markets. that have taken place right here in 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.000 London. So I'm just happy to join. I'm happy 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:47.420 to be part of a discussion that charts the future 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:51.740 for governments, for the financial sector, for 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:55.920 the legal sector, and for governments to converge 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:58.619 and coalesce around some of the most exciting 00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:01.579 opportunities that have been sitting right there 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:06.569 in front of us. And now, more than ever, should 00:24:06.569 --> 00:24:10.210 be double -clicked on. Feedback is always important. 00:24:10.450 --> 00:24:14.609 And the post -summit survey results said that 00:24:14.609 --> 00:24:17.309 100 % of the delegates would recommend the summit 00:24:17.309 --> 00:24:21.789 and 92 % plan to attend the game. That's not 00:24:21.789 --> 00:24:26.809 satisfaction. That's market validation. The Canadian 00:24:26.809 --> 00:24:30.609 Indigenous Investment Platform's influence extends 00:24:30.609 --> 00:24:35.039 far beyond the annual summit. through our weekly 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:38.839 Drumbeats platform, which is now recognized as 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:41.559 one of the most authoritative voices on Canadian 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:45.420 Indigenous investment discussions. I'm very pleased 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:48.920 to announce today the 2026 Summit, which will 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:52.180 also be held again in the Square Mile on April 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:57.920 8th. The Summit theme is Canada, the true North, 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:03.420 strong and free. The 2026 Summit takes place... 00:25:03.769 --> 00:25:07.289 at historic inflection point where global shifts, 00:25:07.670 --> 00:25:11.289 national policy, and indigenous rights converge 00:25:11.289 --> 00:25:16.490 to shape Canada's investment future. True, Canada's 00:25:16.490 --> 00:25:19.430 path forward is grounded in truth. The recognition 00:25:19.430 --> 00:25:22.589 of indigenous peoples as rights holders whose 00:25:22.589 --> 00:25:26.930 governance, stewardship, and vision have shaped 00:25:26.930 --> 00:25:30.450 the foundation of the country. Realizing Canada's 00:25:30.450 --> 00:25:33.009 full potential means building on that legacy. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:36.400 through meaningful, equity -based partnerships. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:43.519 North. As the global order realigns, Canada's 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:46.160 position as the Northern Frontier gains strategic 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:49.819 importance. From Arctic sovereignty to deepwater 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:53.380 access, the North is central to energy security, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:56.559 mineral supply chains, and economic resilience, 00:25:56.960 --> 00:26:00.700 driven by geopolitical change and renewed national 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:05.660 direction. Strong. Canada is building a strong 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:08.940 economy that delivers for all peoples. New policy 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:11.700 instruments such as Bill C -5 are designed to 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:14.359 break down internal barriers, accelerate Indigenous 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:17.240 equity participation, and drive infrastructure 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:21.420 investment that is inclusive, resilient, and 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:26.480 future -oriented. Free. Canada is opening new 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:29.900 trade corridors, reducing dependence on any one 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:34.220 market. The shift from U .S. leadership to global 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:36.819 partnerships is unlocking fresh opportunities 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:39.900 for institutional capital, enabled by Indigenous 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:42.460 -led projects that align with national priorities 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:47.559 and international ESG standards. The summit has 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:53.700 four key pillars. Mining, critical and other 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:56.720 resources. Canada holds the key to the world's 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:59.700 most contested mineral supply chains and Indigenous 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:04.170 nations. Hold the key to Canada. Energy. Clean 00:27:04.170 --> 00:27:06.910 and conventional. Indigenous nations are not 00:27:06.910 --> 00:27:10.089 just powering Canada's energy transition. They're 00:27:10.089 --> 00:27:12.849 reshaping global models of ownership, resilience, 00:27:13.210 --> 00:27:18.630 and returns. Defense. Arctic sovereignty. Canada's 00:27:18.630 --> 00:27:20.950 Arctic sovereignty will be secured not just by 00:27:20.950 --> 00:27:25.069 radar or shipyards, but by partnership with Indigenous 00:27:25.069 --> 00:27:30.000 peoples who live there. Infrastructure. corridors, 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:33.140 and nation -building assets. The foundation of 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:35.220 Canada's future will be built by partnerships 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:38.279 with Indigenous nations, corridor by corridor, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:44.880 project by project. 8th of April, 2026, in the 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:48.200 City of London. Join my co -chair, Rob Brant, 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:53.220 and I as we welcome again the Indigenous people 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:58.160 of Canada, the Indigenous leaders, the Chiefs, 00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:01.019 the Indigenous business leaders, the Indigenous 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:05.339 entrepreneurs, as well as provincial, territorial, 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:08.240 and federal government representatives, shaping 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:11.259 the next chapter of Canadian investment, where 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:14.400 capital meets governance, where rights -based 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:17.240 leadership delivers superior market returns. 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:21.460 This is the right time. It's the right opportunity. 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:26.059 The world has changed. Old relationships have 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:28.710 been undermined. But new opportunities present 00:28:28.710 --> 00:28:32.789 themselves. Canada is at a historic crossroads, 00:28:32.890 --> 00:28:36.430 as economic and social reconciliation is the 00:28:36.430 --> 00:28:39.670 law of the land. And with Canada's new focus 00:28:39.670 --> 00:28:42.769 on breaking down internal barriers, strengthening 00:28:42.769 --> 00:28:47.029 the internal market, and strengthening its country 00:28:47.029 --> 00:28:51.390 attractiveness, we'll certainly become the true 00:28:51.390 --> 00:28:56.210 north, strong and free. Join us on the 8th of 00:28:56.210 --> 00:29:03.369 April. Thank you for viewing and listening. Be 00:29:03.369 --> 00:29:05.470 sure to share, subscribe, and leave a review 00:29:05.470 --> 00:29:12.930 on your favorite podcast channel. Thanks for 00:29:12.930 --> 00:29:15.089 listening to Drum Beats. Until next time.