Jody Wilson-Raybould, the former justice minister, said she likes that the deal was First Nations driven and brought a number of Mi’kmaq bands to come together as one nation and invest. “Chief Terry has always been involved in a lot of decisions over legislation to move First Nations forward to being self-determining, rather than having someone else make these decisions,” she said.
Since making its inaugural loan in 2012, the FNFA has raised nearly $1 billion on capital markets. The Clearwater deal is its biggest investment for a single project but Daniels said he is confident the revenue stream is more than enough to service the debt. Federal policy has attempted to create flourishing, self-sufficient First Nations since before the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples reported 24 years ago but that goal has often proven elusive. Making it a reality will require foundational political changes, some of which were envisaged by the Royal Commission, such as reconstituting larger First Nations as political entities
Unfortunately not all 13 Mikmaq bands were part of this deal - some were shut out. Conservation of lobster stock is necessary, regardless of who owns the monopoly. There is enough to share.
Ambition is easier when you're not risking your own money. The First Nations Finance Authority was founded by federal grants, and 80% of their revenues continue to be from federal investment. Let us know when FN peoples compete on an equal footing with the private sector.
Ambition? Being able to fish wherever, whenever is a huge competitive advantage over everyone else.
Great. Skin the game. Hope you make a bundle and show the way.
How dare they have ambition, np? I don't even click, anymore.