Keith Matthew, Simpcw First Nation, Ep.9

02/24/23 • 23 min

Keith Matthew loves sharing stories about creating wealth and opportunity in First Nation communities.
Keith, who sits on the FNII development board, is a member of the Simpcw First Nation where he served five years as Chief and five years as councillor. During his time serving his community, he was responsible for economic development activities and sees the value of infrastructure in creating more prosperous communities – where Indigenous groups are less reliant on transfers and are able to develop projects that are more aligned to community priorities.
Recorded live at the 'First Nations 'Leading the Way 5' conference in Treaty 1 Territory – Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 4-6, 2022.
Reach Keith by telephone at (250) 318-3787 or by email at [email protected].
Visit the economic development page at the Simpcw website at https://www.simpcw.com/economic-development.htm
For free FNII resources, visit https://www.fnii.ca/resources/

Previous Episode

Carl Yates, CEO, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority, Ep.8

Carl Yates is leading an organization that has made history as the first Indigenous water utility in Canada.
Once complete, the AFNWA will assume responsibility for water and wastewater services for as many as 4,500 households and businesses located in up to 17 participating First Nations. This represents approximately 60% of the on-reserve population of First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada.
In recent months, AFNWA has been collaborating with FNII and Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia on water and wastewater infrastructure needs for new residential and commercial development.

With a service approach based on social, economic, and environmental outcomes, AFNWA will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and capital upgrades of all water and wastewater assets in participating First Nations. AFNWA’s Board currently consists of nine (9) First Nations Chiefs and is chaired by Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek.

AFNWA will apply First Nations traditional knowledge and culture emphasizing environmental stewardship, the spiritual aspects of water, and Two–Eyed Seeing. “Two–Eyed Seeing”, as defined by Albert Marshall Sr., “is an approach to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and to see from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and to use both of these eyes together.”

Elders play crucial roles in Indigenous communities, as First Nations have both formal and informal leadership. To ensure AFNWA always aligns with First Nations values, culture and knowledge, Elders will guide the Board through an advisory committee. The Elders Advisory Lodge (EAL) consists of five (5) Elders approved by the Board, with regional representation

AFNWA’s participating communities currently include:

New Brunswick

Elsipogtog
Esgenoôpetitj
Kingsclear
Oromocto
Tobique
St. Mary’s

Prince Edward Island

Abegweit
Lennox Island

Nova Scotia

Acadia
Eskasoni
Glooscap
Membertou
Millbrook
Paqtnkek
Pictou Landing
Potlotek
Sipekne’katik
We’koqma’q
Wagmatcook

LINKS:
Atlantic First Nations Water Authority website
Email: [email protected]
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website

Next Episode

Collaboration on Infrastructure with Rose Paul, CEO, Bayside Development Corp.

Rose Paul, CEO of Bayside Development Corporation, received the 2023 Indigenous Women in Leadership Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
She and her team at Bayside Development Corporation and Band staff at Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation, are working with FNII on future water and wastewater infrastructure to support residential and commercial growth.
It is one of two 'proof of concept' projects begun by FNII.
Rose knew several years ago that to fully take advantage of opportunities, her community would need to align with the Fiscal Management Act Institutions.
She spoke with host Richard Perry at the Leading the Way 6 conference in the unceded Algonquin territory in Gatineau, QC.
Links:
Rose Paul email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Bayside Development Corporation website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website
Bayside Travel Centre Facebook page
Bayside LinkedIn page
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website