Downtown Toronto is a long way from most communities where the federal government’s Indigenous loan guarantee program will be put into action, but it’s where the buzz about the new $5-billion program could be heard this week.
“I’m excited,” said Robert Michell, Chief of the Stellat’en First Nation in central B.C., “it changes the game.”
“It’s huge for Indigenous economic reconciliation,” said Jaimie Lickers, senior vice-president of Indigenous markets at CIBC.
Michell and Lickers were speakers and among 500 Indigenous representatives at the seventh annual First Nations Major Project Coalition (FNMPC) conference, which also attracted 1,100 delegates from companies as well as high-profile politicians.
The event was the first time Indigenous leaders from across the country were able to gather and talk about the program, which was announced as part of the 2024 federal budget a week…
