Last June, the Trudeau government announced its plan to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Canada. Now, Indigenous deal-makers Fred, Bernd Christmas, and Christian Sinclair are working together to raise a $1 billion infrastructure fund through their company, Longhouse. Their goal is to facilitate First Nations' participation in various sectors such as utilities, renewable power, critical minerals, transportation, and carbon capture projects.

Fred believes that partnering with First Nations can help overcome the regulatory and ideological barriers that often delay critical infrastructure projects. He sees the ratification of UNDRIP as a massive opportunity for both Indigenous people and corporations. By educating the corporate sector about the potential of working with Indigenous partners, Longhouse aims to create a win-win situation where infrastructure needs are met and Indigenous communities benefit from economic opportunities.

One specific project that highlights the potential of such partnerships is the Cedar LNG project in Kitimat. The project, a $3.2 billion electrified floating facility, is proposed for Haisla Nation land. Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, emphasizes the need to transition China away from coal and towards cleaner energy, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Shipping LNG to Asian markets from Haisla and the B.C. coast is seen as a shortcut compared to the current routes through the Gulf Coast and the Panama Canal. Cedar became the first Indigenous majority-owned facility to receive environmental approval and is now awaiting a final investment decision.

These developments raise questions about the potential for Indigenous-led infrastructure projects in Canada. Can the endorsement of UNDRIP create an Indigenous renaissance in various sectors? Will corporate Canada embrace the opportunities to partner with Indigenous communities? Only time will tell.