VANCOUVER, BC — November 7, 2025 — Leads & Copy — The First Nations Investment Forum (FNIF) has announced its final program for its inaugural national conference, confirming a lineup of leaders, investors, and industry experts who are shaping the future of First Nations economic ownership in Canada.
Co-presented by Horizon Seven and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, the event will convene First Nation governments, investors, and industry partners to advance Indigenous ownership in major projects. The forum is scheduled for December 8–10, 2025, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
The FNIF program includes keynote speakers, investment presentations, and expert panels. Speaker highlights include:
- JP Gladu, President, Mokwateh and Advisor, Major Projects Office (MPO)
- Chief Clarence Louie, Chief, Osoyoos Indian Band
- Carol-Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder, Indigenomics Institute
- Andrew Hungerford – Founder & Partner Seven Generations Capital
- Stephen Lidington, Vice-President, Colliers Project Leaders
- Kim Baird, CAO and former Chief, Tsawwassen First Nation
- Robert Brant, Partner, Indigenous Projects & Transactions Group, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- Teara Fraser, CEO and Founder, Iskwew Air
- Monika Bear Robe, Partner, Indigenous Equity Opportunities, MNP
- Carl Marcotte, Senior Vice-President, CANDU
- Matthew Jackson, Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, Hydro One Networks Inc.
Investment-ready projects in energy, infrastructure, real estate, gaming, AI, data storage, and critical minerals will be presented, highlighting opportunities for First Nations investment and ownership. Presentations include:
- Marguerite Lake Compressed Air Energy Storage & Hydrogen Hub – PwC, Cold Lake First Nation, Cache Power Corporation, and EllisDon
- Real Estate Investment & Development Partnerships – Seven Generations Capital & Hungerford Properties
- Casino Gaming Acquisitions & Partnerships – Sonco Gaming Inc.
- Minto Copper-Gold Mine – Selkirk First Nation, Fiore Consultants, and Nations Royalty
- Nuclear Energy Investment & Ownership – Candu Energy
- Ontario Transmission System Infrastructure – Hydro One, Wabun Tribal Council, and Mattagami First Nation
- Digital Infrastructure & AI Investment – SYMX.AI
- Clean Energy Data Centers – CyberCloud-AI
- Ontario & Nova Scotia Gold Mines – NexGold Mining Corp.
- Port of Marathon – The Peninsula Harbour Port Authority Corporation and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation
Expert panels will share experience and perspectives on Indigenous investment and ownership, including:
- Access to Capital for Indigenous-led Projects – Jody Anderson, First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), Booker Cornea, First Nations Bank of Canada, and Frank Richter, Indigenous Growth Fund.
- Indigenous Investment & Ownership in Major Projects – Chief Joe Miskokomon, Chippewas of the Thames, Ken Thomas, Pisim Power, and Tristan Jackson, Nikutik LP, North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council
- The Role of Loan Guarantees in Transformative Infrastructure Projects – Alena Thouin, Build Ontario Fund, Mark Podlasly, First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC), and Steven Kroeker, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC)
- Projects of a National Interest & Opportunities for Indigenous Leadership – Mark Selby, Canada Nickel Company, Sussex Strategy and Taykwa Tagamou Nation
- Implementing Co-Ownership on Major Energy Projects – Patrick Tomlinson, BC Hydro and Cole Sayers, Clean Energy BC
- Corporate Advantage through Indigenization – Scott Patles-Richardson, Indigenous Financial Solutions (IFS), Devon Krainer, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, Alex Bishop, Concierge Group
Michael Fox, President & CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE), will emcee the forum. The event will feature a Gala Reception with keynote speaker Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band, a three-course dinner, live music by Shawn Bullshields, and comedy by Sasha Mark.
Anthony Maunula, CEO of Horizon Seven, stated that the event is about building bridges between Indigenous communities, industry, and the investment world to foster economic sovereignty and advance First Nations leadership in major projects.
For the full program and registration details, visit firstnationsinvestmentforum.ca.
Source: Horizon Seven
