b'FUNDING INITIATIVESThen there is the Critical Mineralsbuilding partnerships with Indigenousover four years through the Indigenous InfrastructureFund(CMIF),whichcommunities,andthispastMayParticipationFund(formerlythe issues grants to Indigenous commu- announced an investment of $3.1Aboriginal Participation Fund) to nities. According to the funds website,billion in loans, grants and scholar- improve capacity for Indigenous their grants fund Indigenous engage- ships to assist in generating oppor- communities and organizations to ment, capacity building and knowl- tunities for Indigenous participationparticipate in regulatory processes edge gathering and sharing activitieswithin the provinces critical mineralrelated to mineral exploration and related to clean energy and transporta- supply chain. mine development.tion projects that would enable critical minerals development. Funding includes tripling the totalWe can improve the capacity of amount of loan guarantees availableIndigenous communities and/or their Between now and 2030, there will bethrough the Indigenous Opportunitiesbusinesses, [and] their economic $13.5 million in grants made availableFinancingProgram(formerlythedevelopment corporations to engage with maximum funding per initiativeAboriginal Loan Guarantee Program) toin the regulatory processes and the ranging from $50,000 to $150,000,$3 billion, as well as investing $70 millionactivities related to infrastructure and depending on the applicant organi-zation and its location. The first call for proposals is currently underway with a total of $3.5 million worth of grants available. For the first round of funding, CMIF Indigenous grant initia-tives must be completed by March 31, 2026.CMIF grants can also be a cata-lyst for improved capacityeducation, infrastructure, social and economic services, internal expertiseand the ability for communities to play a lead-ership role in business development and decision-making, Rees says. Under CMIF, continues Rees, we have seen investments in internal engagement capacity, participation in mineral infrastructure projects like roads and transmission lines, and lead-ership in impact and feasibility studies. Through these kinds of investments, Indigenous Peoples and project propo-nents across Canada can continue to partner on sustainable generational opportunities, particularly in rural or remote settings.Beyond its statutory duty to consult with Indigenous Nations, the federal govern-ment has two roles it needs to play to ensure true partnerships are formed between government, Indigenous communities and the mining sector, Rees notes. It needs to support the capacity of Indigenous communities so they are equipped to participate in the opportunities presented by the mineral sector, and it needs to estab-lish and reinforce clear, predictable and consistent consultation processes that provide confidence to both Indigenous communities and industry proponents.CENTRAL PUSHOntarios provincial government has alsoidentifiedtheimportanceof Indigenous BUSINESS REPORT23'