Drumbeats: Canadian Indigenous Investment Podcast

Thomas Benjoe, CEO of Flowing River Capital, discusses how Canada’s first Indigenous-led private equity fund fuels investment.

In this interview, he outlines the firm’s strategy to acquire and Indigenise strong businesses aligned with procurement commitments, unlocking billions in opportunities. Learn how Flowing River Capital combines Indigenous and non-Indigenous expertise, has already secured $35 million with a target of $100 million, and is trailblazing a new model for growth.

Discover insights on building sustainable Indigenous-owned enterprises, leveraging procurement policies, and why economic reconciliation is central to investment success.

CWEIC drives trade across Commonwealth nations, linking rich countries like Australia and the UK with global markets and Indigenous innovation.

In this episode of Drumbeats podcast, co-chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant speak with Samantha Cohen, CVO, OBE, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.Cohen reveals the 21% Commonwealth trade advantage and why Canada is missing out on the world's fastest-growing economic network. Go behind the scenes of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) as Samantha Cohen reveals how this remarkable self-funded organisation facilitates trade and investment.

As the practical business arm of the Commonwealth, CWEIC operates independently from government policy, maintaining 13 global hubs from United Kingdom to Malta to Cyprus.

Preview the priorities, themes, and strategic direction of Summit 2026, from critical minerals to Arctic defence, energy, and infrastructure.

In this episode of the Drumbeats podcast, Co-Chair Mark Magnacca offers a preview of what’s ahead at the 2026 Summit, a platform where Indigenous leadership and institutional capital converge.

Building on our previous episode’s examination of Bill C-5, which strengthens the recognition of Indigenous rights and governance, this episode shows how these shifts are actively reshaping investment priorities, project design, and capital flows across Canada.

Indigenous-led finance meets institutional capital: FNFA's Jody Anderson reveals how First Nations are reshaping Canada's investment landscape.

In this episode of the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit podcast, co-chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant speak with Jody Anderson, Vice President of Partnerships, Strategy & Public Affairs at the First Nations Finance Authority. A proud Anishinaabe kwe from Treaty 3 and member of Couchiching First Nation, Jody leads transformative work in advancing Indigenous-led economic growth across Canada. Jody shares insights from her leadership role designing high-impact initiatives and establishing trust-based relationships with First Nations committed to infrastructure development and financial self-determination.

Mark Carney's policy influence meets Bill C-5: How regulatory shifts are reshaping Indigenous-corporate investment partnerships in Canada.

In this episode of the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit podcast, co-chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant examine Prime Minister Mark Carney's The Building Canada Act Bill C-5 and Canada's changing investment landscape.

The legislation allows federal fast-tracking of major infrastructure projects by bypassing traditional regulations, a direct response to Trump's tariff threats, yet faces serious Indigenous opposition and ongoing legal challenges that create complex investment considerations. 

Chana Martineau, CEO of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, joins Co-Chairs Mark Magnacca and Robert Brant to discuss how Indigenous communities are leading major investments in Alberta’s key sectors. With over 30 years in finance, Chana shares her insights on economic reconciliation, inclusive leadership, and building long-term partnerships across industries.

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Matt Jamieson, CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, shares how Canada’s largest First Nation is generating transformational economic returns through Indigenous-led enterprise. Since its founding in 2015, the corporation has delivered $295 million in direct community benefits and led landmark projects like the Ontario Oneida Energy Storage Project, a $700 million, 250 MW facility that advances Canada’s net-zero goals. Learn how strong governance, community engagement, and visionary leadership are powering a sustainable future.

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Join Brendan Bell, CEO of West Kitikmeot Resources Corp, as he outlines the strategic vision behind the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, a $1 billion infrastructure development in Nunavut designed to transform Canada’s Arctic frontier.

Spanning 230 km and featuring a deep-water port, the project aims to reduce the high cost of living in the North, generate employment, and stimulate economic development. It also carries geopolitical weight, aligning with NATO objectives and reinforcing Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

With strong interest from the federal government and Indigenous communities, the project is seeking investment and security user commitments to move forward.

The First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB) is helping Indigenous communities unlock economic opportunity through strategic capacity development and financial empowerment. In this discussion, Scott Munro reveals how FMB supports First Nations in building strong governance, accessing capital, and forming transformative partnerships, like the groundbreaking 50% acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods by Mi’kmaq First Nations in partnership with Premium Brands Holdings Corporation. Watch this insightful discussion to learn how this successful deal opened doors to Indigenous ownership and investment in Canada’s economy.

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Learn how Chief Sky-Deer led her community to a historic energy agreement with Hydro-Québec during a time of restructuring. From navigating regulatory hurdles with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to addressing environmental justice concerns, her leadership has built a historic path to Indigenous equity. This unprecedented deal grants her Nation a 10% equity stake, with the option to grow to 49%, in a major infrastructure project.

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