Latest news with #Indigenous-owned
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. to advance broadband and wireless access for rural and remote First Nations Communities Français
Joint agreement aims to close the digital infrastructure gap for high-speed Internet and wireless services in underserved First Nations communities Both organizations call on the CRTC to reverse its policy that discourages private sector investment in broadband network expansion Agreement builds on Bell's ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and First Nations communities This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release. MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) today announced a new Reconciliation Agreement with the shared goal to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities. NICI is a 100% Indigenous-owned technology company that advocates for wireless spectrum access and high-speed Internet for all First Nations. In response to the 2024 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indigenous Services Canada report, Closing the Infrastructure Gap, Bell and NICI will work together to expand infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030. This partnership builds on Bell's 2024 commitment, which affirms the company's ongoing dedication to fostering positive and mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Bell and NICI will work collaboratively to implement their Reconciliation Agreement. As part of the agreement, Bell will work with NICI on long-term broadband and wireless deployment plans. Bell is also reaffirming its commitment that employees working with Indigenous communities complete training aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 's Call to Action #92. Quote "Bell fully supports the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc's goal of closing the digital infrastructure gap in rural and remote First Nations communities. To close this gap, we need stable, long-term public policy and a regulatory environment that enables private sector investment in telecommunications networks. Together with NICI, we can build, grow, and connect Canadians to support continued private investment in critical network connectivity to First Nations communities." - Michele Austin, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Bell Canada. "Many Indigenous communities still lack reliable, high-speed internet, limiting opportunities and essential services. We believe that connectivity is a fundamental right – essential for education, economic development, healthcare, and self-determination. The National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI) is committed to advocating for all remote and rural First Nations across Canada to have access to spectrum and high-speed internet." - Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. Bell is Canada's largest communications company 1, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit or Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit About National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) NICI is a national, Indigenous-led organization focused on advocacy, access to spectrum, and high-speed internet services for remote and rural First Nations communities across Canada. NICI is supported by the Assembly of First Nations and is focused on ensuring that all First Nations communities have access to the digital tools needed to thrive in the modern economy. The NICI calls for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to support NICI in ensuring high-speed internet solutions developed by First Nations for First Nations, dedicated federal funding to ensure long-term investment in Indigenous connectivity initiatives and training, and for ISC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to work directly with NICI to increase Indigenous service-provider capacities, access to spectrum, market data, and policy frameworks. _________________________________ 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. Contact: Bell Media Relations: [email protected] National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.: Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the agreement between Bell Canada and NICI intended to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities (the "Reconciliation Agreement") and the benefits expected to result therefrom, the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe Bell Canada's expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bell Canada does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements made in this news release, including the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, and the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, the prevailing regulatory environment as well as the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, as well as Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, will be completed, or that the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement will be realized. For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this news release, please consult BCE Inc.'s (BCE) 2024 Annual MD&A dated March 6, 2025, BCE's 2025 First Quarter MD&A dated May 7, 2025 and BCE's news release dated May 8, 2025 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, filed with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at These documents are also available at
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Solo women travelling in good company
Women-only tours to destinations around the world are attracting solo guests of all ages and relationship status. Intrepid Travel offers six women's expeditions to India, Nepal, Morocco, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with help available to book flights and pre or post accommodation. Senior product manager Jenny Gray launched Intrepid's initial expeditions to Jordan, Iran and Morocco on International Women's Day in 2018. They started as her passion project after she listened to feedback from women who wanted more opportunities to connect with local women and learn about their lives. For cultural and religious reasons, this wasn't always possible in mixed-gender groups. 'We thought it was a fantastic opportunity to create something that was really special and would incorporate experiences,' Jenny says. Intrepid expeditions are limited to 12 guests and the average group size is usually eight to 10, while women's ages can range from 20 to 80. 'An incredibly high percentage of the travellers on the women's expedition are travelling solo,' Jenny says. 'Globally that was around 80 per cent last year but for the Australian and New Zealand customers it's 66 per cent of them travelling solo, not necessarily single but choosing to travel alone.' For context, Jenny says 24 per cent of all Intrepid travellers (on any tour) from Australia and New Zealand are solo female travellers. She has also noticed huge growth in the 50-plus demographic. 'I've seen it described in a lot of reports as women living their second-best life,' she says. 'For whatever reasons they never put themselves first due to career, home and family and now it's their time.' India is the most popular Intrepid women's expedition with more than 20 departures a year, but Saudi Arabia has taken off since its launch a year ago. 'We've seen more bookings on that particular destination in the first six months of it being on sale than any other trip in the range,' Jenny says. Jenny says having Intrepid's own teams on the ground helps secure experiences unique to the women's-only expeditions. 'There are a lot of products on the market that are women-only trips, but they are standard itineraries that are just designated for women only. There's not really anything different in the design. 'That's what has set us apart; we wanted to make sure that the experiences we build into the itinerary are unique and special that will give women an opportunity to connect with women on the ground and give women on the ground an opportunity to share their own stories of what life is really like, their triumphs and the challenges. 'Intrepid always tries to support female, minority Indigenous-owned businesses in our supply chain but on these trips, it is intrinsic to the design.' Jenny cites an example of a city tour in India by tuk-tuk, made possible by supporting micro loans to women to become trained drivers. 'They can then support their families by having their own businesses,' Jenny says. Sonia Orrego, head of product at Wendy Wu Tours Australia, says solo travellers make up around 30 to 35 per cent of its guests, and many of those are women of all ages, backgrounds and life stages. 'Some are first-time solo travellers, others are seasoned explorers,' Sonia says. 'Many travel solo by choice, while others are seeking new adventures after life changes. 'For those who love the idea of sharing their journey with fellow solo travellers, we've created special tour departures reserved exclusively for solo guests. 'These tours offer a welcoming, community-style experience from the very beginning, because everyone on the trip is there and enjoying the trip as a solo traveller.' While they aren't women-only, Wendy Wu offers dedicated solo departures to destinations including China, India and Japan. Sonia says culturally-rich destinations 'continue to resonate with women looking for unique and meaningful travel experiences'. Sisterhood Womens Travel founder Hayley Morris was running a travel agency in a small Victorian country town when she discovered many rural women wanted to travel but their husbands couldn't leave their farms. She did a test trip to Hong Kong with a dozen women and noticed the camaraderie, support and encouragement among the group. 'That's when the magic started,' Hayley says. 'I decided that there really was something in it, so I decided to pursue that and eventually it overtook my retail travel agency.' Sisterhood Womens Travel has been operating for 20 years and ran its first official tour to Morocco, a destination Hayley continues to visit. Future tours range from a mini-break in Tasmania, to a 20-day Greek Islands adventure. Most guests are aged 60 and over. 'It's more about physicality because you can have a really healthy 80-year-old and have a really unhealthy 50-year-old,' Hayley says. 'Sometimes people get a little bit caught up on the age, whereas we really tend to concentrate more on their fitness.' The maximum number of guests on a tour is 16, with the average group size around 12. Sisterhood's hosted tours start and end in Melbourne but guests from all over Australia and New Zealand can connect a group at their destination, where they also pick up specialist guides. 'Basically, the role of our hostess is just to provide the support for our women,' Hayley says. Sisterhood's guests include widowed women used to travelling with their husbands, and women whose husbands have no interest in travelling. 'We've had feedback from ladies who have tried travelling outside of the women-only environment; they might travel with their sister and brother-in-law,' Hayley says. 'But the feedback is they feel like the third wheel. And unfortunately, single women no matter what age can be targeted by unwanted attention.' Hayley says her tour prices are higher because they include airfares and many meals and activities. Sisterhood also offers theatre nights, morning teas and winery visits in Melbourne for travellers to keep in touch. 'We are a business and obviously we make money but a lot of it for us is more about the community,' Hayley says. 'We want to bring women together in any capacity to reconnect through the joys of travel and new friendships.' fact file
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Federal government faces human rights complaint over Indigenous procurement system
The federal government is facing a human rights complaint over a multi-billion dollar program meant to set aside government work for First Nations, Métis and Inuit companies, Global News has learned. The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council is appealing to the Canadian Human Rights Commission to weigh in on the Indigenous Business Directory (IBD), a list of purportedly Indigenous-owned and -operated companies. The IBD is where federal departments and agencies go to find Indigenous companies from which to purchase products and services, with an eye to meeting Ottawa's policy of at least five per cent of its procurement going to First Nations, Métis and Inuit companies. Global News, in partnership with the First Nations University of Canada, revealed in August that Ottawa has awarded billions in federal work to companies without always requiring bidders to prove they First Nations, Inuit or Métis. Story continues below advertisement The tribal council's complaint, obtained by Global News, alleges Indigenous Services Canada — which oversees what businesses are eligible to be listed on the IBD — has overseen a 'systemically discriminatory' system that allows non-Indigenous companies to access those federal contracts. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Indigenous identity fraud by 'pretendians' is not rare in Canada,' the complaint reads. 'Naturally pretendians are attracted to take advantage of the (program) and its lucrative contracts, and (the government) knows this.' Global News requested comment from Indigenous Services Canada on Wednesday. The department could not answer Global's questions as of deadline. The effort to build up Indigenous business stretches back to the Jean Chretien era with the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses, a program that aimed to grant First Nations, Inuit and Métis companies access to federal contracting work. The idea was to use taxpayer money the government planned to spend anyway to grant opportunities to Indigenous communities – and at the same time, boost those businesses' access to the lucrative world of federal procurement. It was kept in place by the Conservatives under Stephen Harper, and then boosted under Justin Trudeau's Liberal government – requiring departments and agencies to procure at least five per cent of what they needed from Indigenous-led companies. The work is now worth roughly $1.6 billion annually. Story continues below advertisement But a months-long Global News investigation showed that Indigenous Services Canada relied on an honour system for companies to attest that they were at least 51 per cent Indigenous owned and controlled. The eligibility rules were tightened in 2022, but the investigation found multiple companies whose Indigenous roots were difficult to identify. After Global News' reporting, Canada's Auditor General opened an investigation into the PSIB in December. Its office said to expect the results in the fall of 2026. 'What is clear is that (Public Services and Procurement Canada) depends on (Indigenous Services Canada) to verify Indigenous eligibility, but ISC does that job very negligently, and this is where the discrimination begins,' the complaint reads. 'Because when ISC fails to exercise due diligence over who is Indigenous and eligible for the IBD and who is not, then the central premise of the (IBD) – that 'Indigenous persons have at least 51 per cent ownership and control' in the contracting business – becomes meaningless.'
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Nations Royalty seeks to bring together Indigenous groups with mining royalties
A first-of-its-kind, royalty-seeking company isn't searching for crowns. Instead, it's eyeing Indigenous communities in Manitoba. 'A big part of my job is building trust,' said Kody Penner, Nations Royalty vice-president of corporate development. He stopped in Winnipeg on Friday. It's the latest destination he's visited to generate interest for Canada's first majority Indigenous-owned mining royalty company. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Kody Penner, V-P of corporate development at Nations Royalty. The firm went public last year; it's traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. British Columbia-based Nisga'a Nation launched the company alongside mining financiers such as billionaire Frank Giustra. The goal, Penner said, is to band Indigenous groups with mining royalties together and grow their wealth. When a mine begins, it signs an impact benefit agreement with impacted communities. Those communities get money through the deal. They might receive a percentage of the mine's revenue or profit. Nisga'a Nation has impact-benefit agreements with five different mines in B.C.'s so-called 'Golden Triangle.' It put all future payments from the mines into Nations Royalty. In exchange, it became majority owner of the company (77 per cent). One of the mines, Seabridge Gold's KSM project, is touted as one of the world's largest undeveloped gold projects. The Brucejack mine (gold and silver) in B.C. is currently the only operational mine in Nations Royalty's portfolio. The company was launched after raising $10 million from investors and receiving backing from the Fiore Group. Giustra, co-founder of Wheaton Precious Metals — a streaming firm valued at more than $40 billion in February — is the largest shareholder outside of Nisga'a Nation, Penner said. Nations Royalty is now looking for other Indigenous groups with mining royalties to join in. Communities would trade their impact benefit agreement payments — or part of them — for equity in the company. 'When you're able to pool many different payments from different mines … into a single company, you become more valuable,' Penner said. 'You're creating a lower-risk environment for investors.' He's been sharing the same points with local leaders he's met throughout the country: they could get equity (and/or money) quickly instead of waiting for an annual cheque; diversification lowers risk; and, if all goes as planned, the company's value will greatly increase over time. Penner declined to say projected returns, adding he can't predict it. Nations Royalty hasn't yet inked deals with other Indigenous communities to date. 'We've worked so hard to get these (impact-benefit agreements),' said Penner, who's from Tahltan First Nation in B.C. 'It took a few hundred years of colonization to finally get to a point where we have impact-benefit agreements and we have participation at these mine sites. (So) it's a little bit of a trust thing.' Penner said he's spoken with Indigenous leaders from Manitoba, Ontario, B.C. and Nunavut. Some have questioned if they want others managing their money; weighing cash needs now versus in the future is another factor, Penner said. He wouldn't divulge how many Manitoba-based communities he's spoken to or how close Nations Royalty is to signing a new deal, citing confidentiality. Indigenous groups who put their impact-benefit agreements into Nations Royalty will continue to be part-owners as long as they hold shares in the company, even when the agreement-bound mine closes and its related payments stop, Penner said. Renee Greyeyes has kept tabs on Nations Royalty. The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba president considers it a 'good model.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'It does change the game for us,' Greyeyes said. 'It puts Indigenous nations on the shareholders side of resource projects. It's not just stakeholders and us being consultants anymore.' She views Nations Royalty as a way to connect Indigenous people with capital market access, boosting finance, housing, health and education. More Indigenous ownership in all sectors is key going forward, Greyeyes stressed. At least one local First Nation is working with the chamber to start its own mining project, Greyeyes hinted. 'When we talk about economic reconciliation, that's it,' she said, adding she believes Nations Royalty is 'moving us in the right direction.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
A 'foot in the door': BC First Nations buy into Enbridge pipeline
For decades, a natural gas pipeline has cut through the territories of dozens of First Nations in BC — moving billions of dollars' worth of gas with zero ownership and little return to the communities. Now, 36 First Nations have bought in. 'For decades, the nations have watched resources leave their communities with very minimal benefit,' said Justin Napoleon, from Saulteau First Nation and director of Stonlasec8, a newly formed, Indigenous-owned, limited partnership made up of 36 First Nations in BC, including Treaty 8 members. In a landmark deal announced today, Stonlasec8 revealed its plan to invest approximately $715 million to acquire a 12.5 per cent ownership in Enbridge Inc.'s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system that stretches from BC's remote northeast to the US-Canada border. 'Now, they get to see development in a new light — as something they actually own, a piece that's truly part of theirs," Napoleon said. The deal gives Indigenous communities along the pipeline a direct financial stake in infrastructure on their traditional lands. 'Enbridge brought the opportunity to us,' said David Jimmie, chief of Squiala First Nation and president and chair of Stonlasec8. 'I think it signals through industry, and across the country, that these partnerships can be successful — and they can be done.' 'Enbridge brought the opportunity to us,' said David Jimmie, president and chair of Stonlasec8. 'I think it signals through industry, and across the country, that these partnerships can be successful — and they can be done.' A significant step was securing a $400-million loan guarantee from the federal government through an initiative launched in December 2024. This makes the Stonlasec8 investment the first major project supported by the $10-billion federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. The government program 'opens up doors for the nations to access capital and take that step towards economic self-determination,' Napoleon said. The Westcoast pipeline transports up to 3.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily along a 2,900-kilometre route, supplying BC, Alberta, and the US Pacific Northwest. Through this partnership, Indigenous communities shift from stakeholders to shareholders, gaining a role in co-governing infrastructure on their lands, Jimmie said. The financial returns from the Westcoast pipeline are slated to be distributed equally among the First Nations in the Stonlasec8 consortium. Each nation will then decide how those funds will be invested in their communities. 'My hope is it's predictable, long-term, recurring revenue that you can plan around ... You can build that into your community planning as needed, and it's a reliable source of income,' Napoleon said. A step forward, with limits Historically, BC First Nations have faced major financial barriers to resource project ownership. A decade ago, 16 nations in BC were denied a commercial-rate loan for the Pacific Trail Pipeline and settled for a buyout instead of equity. To Indigenous leaders, this new agreement signals progress, but also exposes the complexities of participation in resource development. They acknowledge the tension: financial participation brings opportunity, but also binds nations to the risks and responsibilities of fossil fuel infrastructure. While Stonlasec8's 12.5 per cent stake marks a significant shift from previous exclusion, it does not translate to a controlling voice on how the pipeline is run or how environmental risks are managed. 'We don't have that power. At 12.5 per cent interest, you're not going to be a major decision-maker in this — but it gets your foot in the door, and you're able to have the conversation, which we couldn't do before,' Jimmie said. Jimmie said Enbridge and other companies must still adhere to regulatory processes, engage with First Nations, and share environmental assessment findings. 'We still do wear the other hat as rights- and title-holders in the territory,' he said. John Desjarlais, executive director of the Indigenous Resource Network, an organization that advocates for Indigenous participation and leadership in resource development, said he is thrilled about the partnership. 'There's a lot of good components that could mobilize a good, meaningful development, and shape the policy that we're going to see into the future,' Desjarlais said. But he warns that these are not mere stakeholder roles but business partnerships, separate from government obligations of consent or consultation — which means the legal and financial risks rest heavily on the Indigenous partners. 'It's interesting — we talk about oil spills, but now we'd be talking about a nation spilling oil on its own nation, or other nations … affecting its rights and other rights,' Desjarlais said. He said Indigenous nations will need to prepare for the possibility of managing crises that affect their own lands and neighbouring rights, in addition to ongoing community challenges, including housing, education and mental health crises. Jimmie said discussions around potentially growing Stonlasec8's stake hadn't occurred — but if there's an opportunity, First Nations would be open to it.
