NATIONAL MEETING 2025 | OCTOBER 7-9, 2025
HOTEL HILTON TORONTO/MARKHAM SUITES & CONFERENCE CENTRE

Unleashing Our Collective Power: First Nations Leading the Way 8

| First Nations Leading the Way 2025 – Highlights

| First Nations Leading the Way 8 in Markham, Ontario, was a tremendous success!

More than 700 participants registered – including 177 different First Nations, 36 Indigenous organizations, nine tribal councils, and eight Indigenous health authorities/organizations – for the national gathering.

FNLTW is a joint effort of the FMA institutions – First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Finance Authority, First Nations Infrastructure Institute – and the Lands Advisory Board. The 2025 gathering inspired Nations to make use of the optional tools available to them, share success stories, and make new connections – all in support of First Nations’ economic self-determination. Highlights include:

| Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca sharing the different ways her Nation has made use of the tools available to them (including FMS Certification) and their ambitious plans.

| Lots of great breakout sessions covering topics such as FMS Certification, Default Management, Audited Financial Statements, Indigenous Trusts and more.

| A powerful closing keynote by His Royal Highness Zolani Mkiva of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, followed by the signing of an MOU on cooperation and collaboration by the FMB and the Congress.

| An address by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse focused on the organization’s priority messaging to the federal government.

| An insightful and moving youth panel that helped wrap up the conference on the right note.

| Fantastic musical performances by Shawnee Kish, Adrian Sutherland, and The Poets, plus a mesmerizing dance performance by Red Sky.

| Highlights of First Nations Leading the Way 8 – IN PHOTOS