Strategic Partnerships Initiative highlights
Explore recent initiatives supported by the Strategic Partnerships Initiative through government, industry and Indigenous partnerships.
On this page
Funding support
Between 2015 and 2025, $190 million in SPI investments unlocked more than $612 million in additional funding from federal, provincial, and private‑sector partners. These investments supported Indigenous participation in energy, mining, fisheries, forestry, and agriculture.
Clean energy
Manitoba Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative
Across Manitoba, Indigenous communities are stepping into leadership roles in the clean energy economy. The Manitoba Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative supports Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations to plan, build capacity, and develop clean energy-related projects and business opportunities that advance Indigenous-led economic development.
Community impacts: The initiative strengthens community governance and technical readiness, and help position community-owned businesses and partnerships to access investment and procurement opportunities. Communities gain skilled jobs, training, and new revenue opportunities, while improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $2.3 million
Funding Leveraged (to date, 2025–26): $3.31 million
Initiative Start Date: 2024
Atlantic Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative
Clean energy is opening new doors for Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative provides gap funding and support to help communities build local capacity and strong partnerships in clean energy opportunities.
Community impacts: This initiative will help communities develop clean energy strategies, increase their knowledge, upgrade energy efficient community‑owned buildings, and launch new clean energy generation and storage projects. These investments support good jobs, stronger energy security, and lower carbon emissions. They also support Indigenous ownership and meaningful participation in major projects.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $2.19 million (2024–25), $1.25 million (2025–26)
Funding Leveraged (to date, 2025–26): $38.7 million
Initiative Start Date: 2022
Yukon Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative
In the Yukon, clean energy is part of a broader journey toward reconciliation and economic self‑determination. Led by Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs with Strategic Partnerships Initiative funding, the Yukon Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative supports Yukon First Nations as they build the tools, partnerships, and capacity to participate in the territory's evolving energy economy.
Community impacts: Through planning, training, and technical work, communities are strengthening their ability to lead or partner in clean energy projects. These efforts are preparing Yukon First Nations to shape their own energy future. They support equity ownership, job creation, new and improved energy infrastructure, and reduced carbon emissions.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $1.08 million
Funding Leveraged (to date, 2025–26): $800,000
Initiative Start Date: 2025
Forestry
Rooted in Forests Initiative
The Rooted in Forests initiative supports Indigenous communities to lead opportunities in sustainable growth across Quebec's forests that are aligned with Canada's priorities — developing energy potential, mitigating tariff impacts on the forestry sector, and creating new market opportunities for food products.
Community impacts Co-led by Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Indigenous Services, Rooted in Forests is a stepping stone for communities to acquire skills, generate sustainable income, and strengthen collaboration in the forestry sector. The initiative supports Indigenous-led forestry projects that are aligned with community priorities and lay the foundation for long-term growth.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $750,000 (15 projects were funded.)
Funding leveraged: $850,000 ($100,000 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Initiative Start Date: 2025
Facilitating Indigenous Participation in Carbon Markets Opportunity Initiative
For Indigenous communities with large, forested lands, carbon offset initiatives offer a new way to protect the land while creating long‑term economic value. This initiative helps communities navigate the technical and regulatory steps needed to participate in carbon offset markets.
Community impacts: Led by Natural Resources Canada, the initiative supports Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement in Alberta and Wuskwi Siphik First Nation in Manitoba to build capacity to generate and sell carbon credits. Activities such as conservation, planting new forests or reforesting empty land have the potential to generate carbon credits which can then be sold on voluntary or regulatory carbon markets for profit. Over 20 to 30 years, these projects could generate up to $435 million in revenue to support environmental stewardship and community prosperity.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $200,000
Initiative Start Date: 2025
Mining
Saskatchewan Indigenous Critical Minerals Initiative
The global demand for critical minerals is creating a generational opportunity in Saskatchewan. This initiative will help Indigenous communities prepare for and benefit from growth in the critical minerals sector on their own terms. This includes employment and training, business and supply-chain development, and equity participation.
Community impacts: The initiative supports community readiness, skills training, Indigenous business development, and collaboration across governments and industry. By strengthening local capacity and competitiveness, communities will be better positioned to access high‑quality jobs, equity opportunities, and long‑term economic benefits tied to critical minerals development.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $650,000
Initiative Start Date: 2025
Other initiatives
Wolastoqey Nation and the Mactaquac Dam Refurbishment Initiative
The refurbishment of the Mactaquac Dam on the Saint John River in New Brunswick is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region and the Wolastoqey Nation is positioning itself to benefit for generations. This initiative supports the creation of a Wolastoqey Economic Development Corporation to serve as a key local subcontractor on the project.
Community impacts: The initiative supports training, long‑term employment, and Indigenous‑owned business growth, while aligning economic development with cultural and environmental priorities. A new training institute will prepare local workers for careers in heavy civil construction, environmental monitoring, and project management. This will support community jobs and build lasting skilled labour capacity beyond the dam project itself.
Funding Committed (to date, 2025–26): $450,000
Initiative Start Date: 2025