b'FUNDING INITIATIVESGreyeyes. "But it cant just be a paper exercise.Itneedstoleadtoreal AIOC: BRINGING PROJECTS TO LIFE IN ALBERTA outcomes, including Indigenous-led permitting, guaranteed job opportu-Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) bridges the gapnities for our people, shared decision-between Indigenous groups seeking partnerships in major projects andmaking, and revenue-sharing frame-the financing they need to bring those projects to life. works that put our communities at the table, not just on the sidelines."AIOC is able to provide up to $3 billion in loan guarantees to reduce the cost of capital for Indigenous groups and communities so they can raiseAnother area of opportunity in the the capital they need to invest in natural resources, agriculture, and manyprovince is in the form of the Manitoba other projects.Mineral Development Fund (MMDF), a $20-million provincial fund admin-Its focus is on mid- to large-scale, commercially viable projects supportedistered by the Manitoba Chambers ofCommercethatoffersfunding by well-defined and risk-acceptable business and financial plans, strongfor economic development projects business models, and detailed transaction terms. The range for a loanthroughout northern Manitoba. Its guarantee is a minimum $20 million to a maximum $250 million for afunding program helps Indigenous qualified project. communities with feasibility studies, training and community consultation. However, Greyeyes feels the program HELPING ENGAGEMENT telecommunications, transportation,needs to be more focused on long-term In the Prairie provinces, Manitoba istourism, healthcare and technology .investments and de-risking Indigenous also making great strides in creatingOur role at the Indigenous Chamber ofequity participation. They have to start funding opportunities for IndigenousCommerce is to ensure that if Manitobalooking at more participation and groups pursuing resource develop- moves forward, it is Indigenous-ledconsultation within our own Indigenous ment. The Manitoba Indigenous Criticaland co-developed, with leadershipgovernance. And then, exploration is Minerals Partnerships Initiative, createdembedded in decision-making fromjust the first step. We want to be at the under Ottawas Strategic Partnershipsday one.table when discussions are made about Initiative (SPI), is an example of anextraction and profits, she says. initiative designed to help IndigenousStarting up mining projects requires a communities engage, respond to, andmassive capital investment, which pres- An additional program that Indigenous benefit from mineral development andents significant barriers to Indigenouscommunities can tap into on the explo-exploration opportunities based oncommunities. While there are grantsration side is the Mining Readiness their communitys plans and priorities.andloanprogramsavailable,theAssessmentEngagementinitia-ICC has concerns about the currenttivefundedbyPrairiesEconomic The critical mineral strategy aligns withsystem. What I\'m seeing now, andDevelopment Canada (PrairiesCan) and Canada\'s goal to secure supply chainsI\'m concerned about, is that thesemanaged by the ICC. We work with 36 and resources like lithium, nickel, cobaltdollars are going to non-IndigenousFirst Nations here in Manitoba. We\'ll and copper, explains Renee Greyeyes,groups, and then they\'re looking atdo an assessment of where they\'re president and CEO of the Indigenousus as the third party. Meanwhile, theseat, where the gaps might be and, if Chamber of Commerce (ICC) andminerals are sitting within our Nations,there are mining opportunities around member of Peguis First Nation, repre- on our territories that we hold rightsthose First Nations, what that\'s going to senting Treaty One. The strategy high- to, Greyeyes says.look like. If they want to set up explo-lights the importance of working inration to be able to look at mining, partnership with Indigenous commu- we\'ll see where they\'re missing some nities. That also includes commitmentsThe ICC is cautioning government thatinformation and well help fill that in, for funding support for Indigenousthere has been some pushback fromGreyeyes explains. communities and streamlining miningthe Indigenous leadership because permitting, [leading] to faster projectthey are feeling left out. What theyMOVING FORWARDapprovals. There are discussions onhave to do is involve our First NationsWhen asked to share advice for govern-revenue sharing and joint governanceleadership, involve our Inuit leader- ment and businesses active in the as well. ship and Mtis leadership, Greyeyesmining sector and looking to build says. There\'s so much there thatpositive relationships with Indigenous "There is growing interest in Manitobawe can all share very prosperously.communities and companies, Rees says in the potential for a provincial mech- [What] I always say to our leader- meaningful relationships must be built anism similar to Albertas Indigenousship when I go home is that we wantearly and fostered through regular Opportunities Corporation (AIOC),togofrommanagingpovertytodialogue, transparent information addsGreyeyes,whichsupportsmanaging prosperity. sharing, and opportunities for partici-Indigenous Nations through loan guar- pation. PDAC is there to help. PDAC antees for investments in critical sectors"Manitobas critical minerals strategyis proud to offer a range of platforms, like natural resources, agriculture,is a good starting point," continuestools and guidance to support mineral 26A CCIB PUBLICATIONFall 2025'