b'Nations Royalty opens the market on July 5, 2024, to celebrate the companys new listing on the TSX Venture Exchange.OPENING DOORS Capital access is changing the game for First Nations By Rick GarrickF or years, First Nations across TurtleFNMPC. Our early advocacy is nowguarantees dedicated to supporting Island have worked to gain morepaying off, and the Coalition continues toIndigenous equity participation ininfluence over major projects onpush for even greater access to tools thatmajor projects.their lands, but without accesssupport Indigenous ownership. These programs give Nations access to to capital, taking a seat at the tableThe program, delivered by the Canadalower-cost capital by backing loans at was often out of reach. Today, that isIndigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation,government borrowing rates, significantly starting to change. Supported by yearsa subsidiary of the Canada Developmentreducing the cost of borrowing. That of advocacy by the First Nations MajorInvestment Corporation (CDEV), is shift is opening doors for First Nations Projects Coalition (FNMPC), a new federalalready seeing strong interest. Right to become equity partners in large-program is unlocking opportunities fornow, were meeting groups that have scale infrastructure, energy, or resource Indigenous ownership and long-terman intention to apply, have beenprojects on their own lands.revenue generation. approached to invest in a project, or A NATIONAL SHIFT are themselves the investor-developer,With those opportunities come long-The federal Indigenous Loan says Sbastien Labelle, vice-president atterm benefits. Investments generate Guarantee Program (ILGP), launched CDEV. Were really looking for projectsreturns that can be directed toward local in December 2024, provides up to that are going to be commercially viable,priorities, while new revenue streams$10 billion in loan guarantees to supportand obviously the guarantee changes thehelp reduce reliance on sources suchas tourism, gas stations, or forestry.Indigenous ownership in major projects, viability quite a bit because it makes theIn many communities, that means the including natural resources and energy.financing cheaper. ability to build infrastructure, prepare The program is an important milestoneNEW REVENUE PATHWAYS lands for development, and attractfor FNMPC, which has long championedThe ILGP builds on more than a decadenew business.capital access as a key to economic of provincial and federal efforts toFNMPC board member Joe Bevan says self-determination. improve access to capital for First Nations.the change is transformational. Its a This is something our late CEO NiiloToday, programs across B.C., Alberta,stark contrast from 10 years ago, he Edwards believed strongly, says ShaunSaskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontarioexplains. In 2015, First Nations would Fantauzzo, vice president of policy atrepresent more than $10 billion in loannot even consider borrowing significant 36NATIONS FORWARDIssue 12025'