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:

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw website
First Nations Infrastructure Institute video (YouTube)
Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics

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 with Richard Perry about water and wastewater projects and the potential for learning more about how the First Nations Infrastructure Institute could help.

LINKS:

Nipissing First Nation website (Infrastructure & Planning)

Steve Doucette Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

"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.

LINKS:

Tsawout First Nation community projects

Greg Diemer's Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute resources

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)

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 community projects

Chief Abraham Pelkey Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute resources

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)

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 the massive infrastructure gap in communities across the land.

LINKS:

First Nations Major Projects Coalition

Fort Nelson First Nation

Sharlene Gale Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

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 Use of FMA Tools in Tsawout and Sumas First Nations"

With:

• Jason Calla, moderator, FNII technical lead
• Brian Jones, General Manager, Sumas First Nation
• Chief Abraham Pelkey, Tsawout First Nation
• Greg Diemer, CFO, Tsawout First Nation

The Leading the Way 8 Conference was held Oct. 7-9, 2025 on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples.

LINKS:

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

YouTube video: How FNII Supports First Nations

Agenda – First Nations Leading the Way 8 Conference

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)

"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 organizations under the umbrella of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. 

The discussion was moderated by the First Nations Infrastructure Institute at LTW8, held on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples.

Panelists: 

• Jason Reeves, moderator, Urban Systems Ltd.
• John Dumbrell, John Dumbrell Consulting.
• Brian Jones, GM, Sumas First Nation
• Greg Diemer, CFO, Tsawaut First Nation
• Dr. André Le Dressay, Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics

Recorded on October 7, 2025.

LINKS:

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

YouTube video: How FNII Supports First Nations

Agenda – First Nations Leading the Way 8 Conference

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)

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 Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples.

This episode is a recording of Allan's opening remarks to more than 700 delegates from First Nations across Canada, on October 7, 2025.

LINKS:

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

YouTube video: How FNII Supports First Nations

Agenda – First Nations Leading the Way 8 Conference

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)

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:
Tsawout First Nation website
FNII website
Dr. Christine Bird on Linkedin
Micah Claxton on Linkedin

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 successful Leading the Way 7 conference in Edmonton in late November 2024.

LINKS:
Jason Calla e-mail: [email protected]
Website e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: Toll-free: +1 855-682-3682
First Nations Infrastructure Institute
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation

Leadership openings:
FNII - Chairperson: https://lnkd.in/g4ZiuSZJ
FNII - Directors: https://lnkd.in/gEc_fHzU

Additional information on the opportunities and how to apply can be accessed on the Government of Canada Governor in Council Appointments website: https://lnkd.in/g54EKsV