with a very high number of Indigenous women in leadership positions. This means these families and communities are being positively impacted by the work FMFN is doing in our region.” Since its inception, the FMGOC has also provided significant economic benefits to Albertans, contributing over $1billion in accumulated business activity. Fast forward to twenty years later, in the early 2000s, FMFN again diversified its portfolio with the creation of Fort McKay Landing (FM Landing) and launch of Fund 1. Fort McKay Landing is the private equity firm wholly owned by the Nation with the strategy of investing in companies across the industrial services, trades, manufacturing, real estate, and professional services industries. With great foresight for ensuring the economic stability of the Nation, each year Chief and Council allocate a fund to be deployed by FM Landing into new investments. Fund 1 is fully funded by FMFN, consisting of 15 portfolio companies located across Canada. These investments are predominantly small-medium enterprises across the forementioned industries, as well as two major infrastructure investments. Councillor Bobby Shott noted, “What differentiates FM Landing from other private equity firms is first of all, we are the first private equity firm owned by a First Nation. Second, we are a long term investor without the standard 5-7 year exit requirements. Third, we have an evergreen fund so we can always deploy more capital into a portfolio company to pay for growth or acquisitions. We take a co-ownership approach with other shareholders and focus on mutual interests to grow the business together.” Defying expectations, FMFN has achieved a balanced business portfolio that supports its community. Many Canadians still don’t expect a First Nation to have a large business portfolio, yet FMFN is doing just that. Fort McKay School Fort McKay School 7
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