b'Origin Story: BUILDINGthe COALITION By Ashley Albert Photo credit: Angel Ransomand Nickita LongmanA reflection on our journey and the path aheadI n October 2015, representatives fromaccess to tools, knowledge, and advicewith former senator Gerry St. Germain, a 11 First Nations in British Columbiato make informed business decisionsproud Mtis from Manitobas Assiniboine gathered around a shared vision: thatabout their participation in major naturalRiver who now calls British Columbia Indigenous communities should not justresource and infrastructure projects. home. St. Germain began his political be consulted on major resource projectsAt its core, FNMPC is about economicjourney in the early 1980s as a Member but have a real sayand a real stakeself-determination, by helpingof Parliament and caucus chair for thein how those projects are developedcommunities access the tools andProgressive Conservative Party. In on their lands. Two years later, the Firstfinancing they need to become owners,1993, he was appointed to the Senate, Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC)not just stakeholders. where he chaired the Standing Senate was officially incorporated as a Committee on Aboriginal Peoples untilnon-profit society. But the road to get here wasnt easy. his retirement.Today, FNMPC provides services to moreTHE EARLY VISION Throughout his career, St. Germain made than 180 members. It gives membersThe early vision for FNMPC originatedsignificant contributions to improve the 14NATIONS FORWARDIssue 12025'