The Empire Club of Canada
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Canadian corporations increasingly understand the importance of working together with Indigenous communities to form equity partnerships on procurement and infrastructure projects including transportation, oil and gas, nuclear, health, social, and mining.
But for most of Canada’s history, these partnerships were traditionally unheard of, and Indigenous communities were purposefully excluded from all participation — having devastating effects on indigenous communities.
Today, these partnerships are an important step towards economic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples. Indigenous partnerships also decrease project risk because participation ensures that all parties have a mutual interest in a project’s success.
How did we get here?
In the past decades, there has been major development in Canadian law supporting the rights of indigenous peoples. Governments have reacted to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee process.
Governments have also implemented indigenous content rules that make participation a deal requirement.
On December 10th, 2024, the Empire Club of Canada is proud to present Indigenous Partnerships — a New Way Forward to unlock Canadian Infrastructure.
This event will focus on Indigenous partnerships and its impact to indigenous communities and the Canadian Infrastructure. Our panelists will speak about the impact, the challenges and the success stories for all Canadians to learn from.
Are you ready for your next project?
Please join us in welcoming Chief Cindy Woodhouse, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations; Cherie Brant, Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law, BLG; Hillary Thatcher, Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank — moderated by Michael Fox, President of ICE Indigenous.
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*
Michael is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development and has an MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise. He’s a believer in higher education and has taught university courses to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. He’s originally from Weenusk First Nation and has twin sons and a daughter.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is a Day School Survivor and was born and raised in Pinaymootang First Nation. Her ancestor, Chief Richard Woodhouse, was an original signatory of Treaty No.2. She began her term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations on December 7, 2023, becoming the youngest woman and First mother to hold the position.
National Chief Woodhouse holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg and has completed Harvard Business School’s Tribal Leaders program.
In 2021, she was elected as the Regional Chief for the AFN Manitoba Region. During her tenure, she was the lead negotiator for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle class action lawsuit, which resulted in over $23 billion compensation for First Nations children and families impacted by the child welfare system.
Throughout her career, National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak has accumulated a wealth of experience lobbying the Senate, House of Commons, Cabinet Ministers, and the Prime Minister’s Office to fulfill mandates from Chiefs. She continues to advocate for First Nations priorities, as directed by the First Nations-in-Assembly collaboratively with First Nations leadership, to protect collective rights–Treaty, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction, the right to self-determination, and all human rights.
A mother to three children, she is passionate about leaving a better future for all First Nations children and the next seven generations, envisioning a future where all First Nations Peoples live in balance as our ancestors envisioned for us since time immemorial.
Cherie is a partner and national leader of Indigenous law at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and has an Indigenous law and commercial practice across a wide variety of sectors, including energy and transmission, land development and financing on First Nations lands and economic development. Industry clients in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors will seek Cherie’s counsel when developing projects or partnerships with Indigenous groups and have a need to address constitutionally protected interests of the Indigenous nations with which Canada shares its land and jurisdiction.
Over the last 15 years, Cherie’s involvement in the energy space in Ontario has resulted in several firsts: the first 100% First Nation owned wind power project in Ontario; the first Aboriginal loan guarantee from the Province of Ontario to enable First Nations to develop energy projects; the first major share purchase transaction involving 14.4M shares of a major public utility – Hydro One Limited; and the first public company in Canada (Hydro One) to commit to 50/50 equity partnerships on all major transmission projects over $100M.
A past recipient of the Lexpert Zenith Award; Lexpert’s “Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40.” And recent Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of law at the University of Toronto, Cherie continues to devote her extra time to several work related and personal areas of interest in the public policy, electricity sectors and health and wellness space – all focussed on uplifting Indigenous communities and bringing awareness to the unique needs and interests of on reserve First Nations.
She is both Mohawk from Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and Ojibway from Wikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
Now an independent director for Hydro One Limited since 2018 and Toronto-Dominion Bank since 2021, Cherie is active in advising on policy matters relating to First Nations to enable communities to achieve financial and economic sustainability.
Hillary Thatcher is Managing Director of Investments, leading the CIB’s Indigenous Infrastructure team. In her role, Hillary is responsible for the CIB’s engagement with Indigenous communities, advancing investments in Indigenous infrastructure projects consistent with key priority areas.
Previously Director General of Innovation and Services at Indigenous Services Canada, Hillary spent 15 years with the Ontario government in senior roles across Indigenous Affairs, Energy and Infrastructure, and Natural Resources. Hillary has a proven track record of building linkages among Indigenous, government and industry interests.
Hillary is Métis and has been an active member of the urban Indigenous community of Toronto through her volunteer roles at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Red Sky Performance and the Downie Wenjak Fund.
Hillary graduated from Concordia University in Montreal and the University of Victoria.
