Councillor Dawn Francois likes to tell the story of how she discovered the First Nations Infrastructure Institute. And how it started a path that could pay big dividends for her community of Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band), in British Columbia.

In this conversation, she is joined by fellow councillor Julie John, to talk about infrastructure needs and the value to community.

Recorded at the Leading the Way 8 conference in Markham, Ontario in October 2025.

LINKS:

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw website
First Nations Infrastructure Institute video (YouTube)
Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics

Steve Doucette and his team at Nipissing First Nation manage water and wastewater treatment, including waterline installations, well-monitoring and pump house upgrades, and maintenance.

As Director of Community Infrastructure and Planning, he's responsible for managing ongoing infrastructure and capital planning processes.

At the Leading the Way 8 conference in October 2025, Doucette spoke with Richard Perry about water and wastewater projects and the potential for learning more about how the First Nations Infrastructure Institute could help.

LINKS:

Nipissing First Nation website (Infrastructure & Planning)

Steve Doucette Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute

"Show me the money" made for a great movie line, but it's also a common refrain in many First Nations communities planning infrastructure projects.

Greg Diemer, CFO for Tsawout First Nation knows all about capital financing. Where a Band can find it, and where it can't.

Particularly challenging is when a First Nation can't get infrastructure financing if a significant part of the population is non-Indigenous.

He spoke with host Richard Perry at the Leading the Way 8 conference in October 2025.

LINKS:

Tsawout First Nation community projects

Greg Diemer's Linkedin profile

First Nations Infrastructure Institute resources

About the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMB website)