Equity Investments

The Economic Development team is focused on delivering long-term benefits to Fort McMurray 468 First Nation through the development of joint ventures and equity opportunities founded on strong strategic partnerships.

Councillor Samantha Whalen and Chief Neil Cheecham, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation (second and third from left) join former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (beside Chief Cheecham) and Enbridge executives to mark the signing of this landmark partnership.

Indigenous Communities and Enbridge Form Landmark Equity Partnership

Enbridge and 23 First Nation and Métis communities, including Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, announced an agreement in September 2022 for the communities to acquire an 11.57 per cent non-operating interest in seven Enbridge pipelines in northern Alberta’s Athabasca region.

Valued at $1.12 billion, a newly created entity, Athabasca Indigenous Investments (Aii), will steward this investment, representing the largest energy-related Indigenous economic partnership transaction in North America to date. The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation supported the transaction by providing Aii with a $250 million equity loan guarantee.

Astisiy Pipeline Partnership: Suncor and Eight RMWB Indigenous Communities

Suncor has joined with eight Indigenous communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), including Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, to acquire all of TC Energy’s 15 per cent equity interest in the Northern Courier Pipeline Limited Partnership.

Through the Astisiy Limited Partnership, announced in September 2021, Suncor and the Indigenous communities will jointly own a 15 per cent stake in this pipeline asset, valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation supported the participation of Indigenous communities with a loan guarantee of up to $40 million.

The partnership will provide long-term, stable revenues that will benefit the communities for decades to come.

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Partnerships vs. Equity Investments

What’s the Difference?

A partnership is a collaborative business relationship where an Indigenous community and its Economic Development (EcDev) entity work with an industry or government partner to deliver services, projects, or contracts.

Partnerships often focus on revenue sharing, employment opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives.

An equity investment means the EcDev entity or community directly owns a share of a business or asset, such as a pipeline or facility.

This ownership provides long-term financial returns, greater decision-making influence, and builds generational wealth.

Together, partnerships and equity investments strike a balance between short-term opportunities and sustainable, long-term benefits for the community.