Indigenous Participation in Major Projects, Access to Finance and Alberta Experience

Lawrence L. Schembri

Fraser Institute and Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics

Major natural resource, electricity and transportation projects are critical for the future prosperity of all Canadians, especially as we strive to increase business investment and diversify our international trade.  Such projects often, if not always, take place on the traditional territories of Indigenous communities. Partnerships with Indigenous communities through shared equity ownership and fiscal jurisdiction generate mutually beneficial returns, information sharing and risk management. In addition, they help to ensure the environmental sustainability of these projects and to preserve the land for future generations. The lack of access to finance has been a major obstacle to Indigenous economic inclusion and development. Alberta’s experience offers useful lessons about overcoming this and other obstacles to achieving successful partnerships with Indigenous communities. Restoring Indigenous prosperity supports Indigenous self-determination and promotes economic reconciliation.