This panel explores how a growing number of federal and provincial initiatives including loan guarantees, pooled funds, and equity models are enabling Indigenous communities to play a more active role in infrastructure and project financing for critical minerals — and what this means for miners and investors looking to partner effectively.

• How are Indigenous-led financing structures — including loan guarantees, pooled capital, and equity partnerships — address infrastructure gaps for critical minerals in Ontario?
• How are First Nations beginning to leverage tools like loan guarantees and pooled funds to support project participation - and how are these opportunities stackable?
• What are some early examples of Indigenous involvement in infrastructure financing — and what’s driving success?
• How do these models help address regulatory, permitting, or de-risking challenges in project development?
• What do investors, governments, and miners need to understand to support scalable, Indigenous-driven development?