RESOURCES First Nations have the right to access tools which help inform the way decisions are made to meet the needs of their members. FNMPC ensures proper capacity supports exist for our Members to make informed decisions regarding projects proposed in and around their territorial lands.

CRITICAL MINERAL ROUNDTABLES

Summary of Participant Discussions and Findings

The First Nations Major Project Coalition held two Critical Mineral Roundtables, the first in Vancouver (October 25, 2022) and the second in Toronto (February 7, 2023). For these two roundtables, the (FNMPC) convened experts from First Nations, the private sector, and the public sector to discuss and demonstrate how inclusion of First Nations partnerships and values in critical battery mineral supply will be the key to Canada’s participation in the net zero transition.

The main emergent concepts and insights provided by attendees outlined in this document are:

  • Part 1: Critical Mineral Supply in Canada
  • Part 2: First Nations at the Centre of Building Canada’s Critical Mineral Supply
  • Part 3: Meeting both First Nations’ Goals and Canada’s Goals

These two roundtables and this resulting report are a part of addressing the issues and challenges identified in the build out of critical mineral supply in Canada, and to support First Nations, industry, and governments creating a constructive path toward successful critical mineral supply and value chains and getting at the main question of: how do all parties identify, define, and respectfully centre Indigenous values in a critical mineral project?

TVDE 2023 CONFERENCE PRIMER

All net zero projects, such as clean energy projects, electrical transmission lines, and battery mineral supply projects, will be built on Indigenous lands. Centering Indigenous nations’ values and partnerships in proposed developments strengthens projects by improving outcomes that are not only important to First Nations, but increasingly to ESG-focused investors. The Values Driven Economy (TVDE) Conference Primer provides a comprehensive overview of four key themes on how we can build a more sustainable and values-driven economy:

  • Diversifying Energy Sources with Hydrogen, SMRs, and LNG
  • Excellence in Indigenous-Industry Partnerships on Major Projects
  • Innovative Public Policy Supporting Indigenous Investment
  • Securing Competitive Capital

Prepared by the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, this publication offers deep insights in advance of The Values Driven Economy conference, held on April 24-25th at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC.

TOWARD NET ZERO BY 2050 POST-CONFERENCE REPORT

“The Only Road to Net Zero Runs Through Indigenous Lands”

The Toward Net Zero by 2050 conference hosted by the First Nations Major Project Coalition (Canada) and First Peoples Worldwide (US) on April 25-26, 20221, in Vancouver, Canada convened professionals interested in the Indigenous-led net zero transition. This Toward Net Zero by 2050 Conference Findings and Report highlights the insights from thought leaders in attendance at the conference. It follows the main themes of the conference, namely:

  • Part 1: The leading edge of producing critical battery minerals
  • Part 2: The Net Zero Energy Transition
  • Part 3: ESG+I
  • Part 4: Sector-Based Concepts in Indigenous Net Zero Projects
  • Part 5: Highlights of Conference Keynotes and Announcements

The report ends by summarizing the gaps identified as an outcome of the conference: how to build an Indigenous-values driven economy, the topic of the next annual FNMPC conference.

FIRST NATIONS MAJOR PROJECTS COALITION RELEASES CAPITAL MARKETS 101 LEARNING MODULE

The First Nations Major Projects Coalition is pleased to release the Capital Markets 101 Learning Module. These resources were developed in response to our members identifying the need for resources to be made available to help build an understanding of capital markets among leadership, community staff, and membership. This learning module provides information to First Nations intended to build an understanding on how to navigate capital markets for the purposes of financing participation in major natural resource and infrastructure projects.

The Capital Markets 101 learning module includes three main components: 1) handbook, 2) case study, and 3) a series of three videos. The videos complement the content covered in the handbook and presentation on the case study, which explain the essential building blocks of project financing.

The First Nations Major Projects Coalition would like to express our thanks to our partners who supported the development of the Capital Markets 101 learning module. This includes Colliers Project Leaders, as well as the First Nations Business Development Association, and the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

  1. Handbook for Learning Module #1
  2. Case Study for Learning Module #1
  3. Capital Markets 101 Video Series (below)

Should you be interested in having the FNMPC Team come to your community to present this information, please submit a request to Should you be interested in having the FNMPC Team come to your community to present this information, please submit a request to [email protected] 

Capital Markets 101 Video Series

NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON INDIGENOUS ACCESS TO CAPITAL IN CANADA: ROUNDTABLE PRIMER

Natural Resources Canada has convened the National Roundtable on Indigenous Access to Capital on April 27, 2022 in Vancouver, BC to discuss challenges and possible solutions to addressing Canada’s waning competitiveness in the natural resource and infrastructure sectors and to develop Indigenous economic prosperity. This primer was commissioned jointly by FNMPC and BCBC in advance of the roundtable.

2022 EVENT PRIMER

Canada and the United States must achieve net zero carbon neutrality by 2050 or risk contributing further to the catastrophic consequences of global climate change. This conference primer explores four important areas of transitioning to net zero that are, or may increasingly become, important to Indigenous nations in the United States and Canada. These areas are discussed in this four-part conference primer:

  • Part 1: Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change
  • Part 2: Electric Vehicle and Storage System Batteries
  • Part 3: Clean Energy Transition
  • Part 4: ESG Investment Standards and Net Zero

Prepared by the First Nations Major Project Coalition and First People’s Worldwide, this document offers deep insights in advance of the Towards Net Zero by 2050 conference, held on April 25-26th at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC.

FNMPC NEWSLETTER

Message from the Chair

On behalf of the FNMPC Board of Directors and in partnership with our Sustaining Partners, I am pleased to introduce you to our inaugural FNMPC Newsletter, which will be released on a bi-annual basis going forward.

Since its inception in 2017, the FNMPC has continued to experience steady growth as we work to support our First Nations members in achieving economic opportunities, while protecting our lands and honouring our future generations.

With the publication of the FNMPC Newsletter, we intend to reach out to our members, our partners and the wider public to share our stories, provide updates on key accomplishments and to generate discussion within Canadian society on matters that are important to Indigenous peoples. I hope you will enjoy reading this first edition.

– Chief Sharleen Gale

FNMPC Environmental Sustainability Tools

We know that the environment is inextricably connected to everything that we do and that in order for any major project to obtain First Nations support and consent, it must firstly meet our standards of environmental stewardship.

At the FNMPC, we support these inherent responsibilities and work to develop Indigenous-led resources for our Members and First Nations across Canada to be able to support their needs in addressing their environmental stewardship concerns as they relate to major project development. We create tools for First Nations by First Nations to solve experienced problems that groups are facing when up against major projects. The Coalition is a resource that can assist First Nations with this work of being able to uphold their stewardship responsibilities while considering the economic benefits of major projects in their territories. Through our resource development, we strive to ensure that an Indigenous worldview is at the center of environmental assessments and consent-based decision-making.

FNMPC Annual Reports & Strategic Plans

Initiated as a concept by First Nations leadership in 2015, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) was established as a not-for-profit society in January 2017. FNMPC members mandated the organization to be non-political and business focused. FNMPC’s primary function is to provide capacity tools and support to its members in order to assist them in making informed business decisions about major projects planned or occurring within traditional territories. For more information about the FNMPC, check out our annual reports.

FNMPC Videos

The following 8-part video series is designed for technical staff and leadership of Indigenous Nations who are looking for ways to make the most of the new Federal Impact Assessment process and gain a greater degree of control when major projects are proposed within Nations’ traditional territories. Ultimately, the videos seek to empower Indigenous Nations to take advantage of new opportunities that exist within the new Impact Assessment process, supporting effective involvement and advancing the rights and interests of Indigenous Nations within the process.

EPISODE 1:

WHAT’S NEW IN THE FEDERAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

EPISODE 2:

INFLUENCING PROJECT DESIGN EARLY IN THE PROCESS

EPISODE 3:

ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT AND THE PROPONENT

EPISODE 4:

TAKING THE LEAD: INDIGENOUS LED STUDIES

EPISODE 5:

MEANINGFUL CONSIDERATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

EPISODE 6:

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

EPISODE 7:

ASSESSING IMPACTS ON HEALTH, CULTURE, AND
SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

EPISODE 8:

ASSESSING IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
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