Six Questions to Ask When Backing a Canadian Project

Six Questions to Ask When Backing a Canadian Project

Author: Canadian Indigenous Investment Forum June 25, 2026 Duration: 41:23

Jordan Baptiste, Partner and President of Creative Fire, joins Drumbeats to discuss how a 25-year-old Nation-owned Indigenous advisory, engagement and creative agency is supporting major companies including Agnico Eagle, Ontario Power Generation and Denison Mines.

Creative Fire is a Nation-owned Indigenous advisory, strategy, and creative consultancy, owned by English River First Nation through Des Nedhe Group. The professional services firm supports some of Canada's largest resource companies with Indigenous engagement, communications, reporting, and reconciliation efforts, while returning profits back to the Nation and making a grassroots impact across the country.

Jordan outlines how that ownership model shapes the firm's competitive advantage, its approach to community-centred impact, and the practical work required to move reconciliation from intention to implementation.

The conversation covers reconciliation action plans that go beyond shelf documents, the commercial case for board-level Indigenous governance, equity participation models for Nations, and why Canada's fastest-growing demographic represents the country's future workforce, leadership and project partner base.

Subscribe to Drumbeats and visit the Canadian Indigenous Investment Forum.


Tune into Drumbeats-Canadian Indigenous Investment Podcast for a direct line to the evolving landscape of Indigenous-led business and finance in Canada. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a grounded conversation driven by the real-world experience of hosts Mark Magnacca and Rob Brant, who bring their roles as co-chairs of the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit directly to the microphone. Each episode delves into the practical intersection where community-driven economic strategies meet tangible investment opportunities. You'll hear candid interviews with leaders, entrepreneurs, and analysts who are shaping this dynamic sector. The discussions go beyond surface-level trends to explore how partnerships and capital are actively fostering sustainable development and self-determination. For anyone-investors, business professionals, or simply the curious-seeking to understand the forces reshaping the Canadian economy, this podcast offers essential context and forward-looking insight. Listen for nuanced analyses that connect financial decisions to broader community impacts, all framed within a crucial national conversation. The Drumbeats podcast is your source for authentic dialogue on the people and ideas building a more inclusive and prosperous economic future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Drumbeats - Canadian Indigenous Investment Podcast
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