First Nations Infrastructure Institute

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 community. Recorded at the Leading the Way 8 conference in Markham, Ontario in October 2025. LINKS: Skw...

"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 of the population is non-Indigenous. He spoke with host Richard Perry at the Leading the Way 8 conference in October 2025...

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. (Apologies for the intermittent hallway noise!) She says it's critical that Canada recognize and address th...

"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" offered several concrete examples of what can be accomplished locally with the support of the national organiz...

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 without many of the limitations of current federal legislation, including the Indian Act. LINKS: Tsawo...

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 Leading the Way 7 conference held in Nov. 2024 in Treaty Six territory (Edmonton). LINKS: First Na...

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 government funding for its members’ social, cultural, and economic well-being. In this podcast ...

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 speaks with Melissa MacDonald, Manager of Taxation and Lands, to learn more about the community's success....

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 of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority. They discuss practical aspects of infrastructure planning in c...

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 role for FNII as an organization that can guide Nations through the process. He told host Richard...

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 home to the award-winning Bayside Travel Centre, with future commercial and residential development in the wor...

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 of concept' projects begun by FNII. Rose knew several years ago that to fully take advantage of opportun...

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. In recent months, AFNWA has been collaborating with FNII and Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova ...