How We Work

AIOC’S primary strategic goal is to drive sustainable returns for Indigenous groups.
AIOC facilitates Indigenous investment that provides real, immediate financial returns to First Nations and Métis groups. This empowers Indigenous leadership to determine how those distributions are used to support their communities’ objectives and participation in the economy.

AIOC is focused on working with Indigenous groups and industry to identify, assess, catalyze, support and complete mid- to large-scale, commercially viable projects. Such projects provide an appropriate balance of risk and reward and are often supported by strong and proven operators and business plans.

How it works:

1. AIOC Manages the Loan Guarantee Program

AIOC is responsible for providing management and oversight of the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, as legislated through the Province of Alberta. The loan removes traditional barriers to Indigenous equity investment by facilitating loans through banks and other third-party lenders.

  • $3B Loan Guarantee Capacity
  • Eligible Project Sectors and related infrastructure include:

    - Natural Resources

    - Agriculture

    - Telecommunications

    - Transportation

    - Tourism

    - Health Care (added late spring 2025)

    - Technology (added late spring 2025)

  • $20M-$250M Loan Guarantee range

2. Education, Outreach and Support

AIOC and our engagement team works with Indigenous groups, industry and lenders to build meaningful, trusted partnerships.

  • Create program awareness & understanding
  • Discuss community goals, priorities & ideas
  • Build on the capacity of nations and groups

3. Industry Seeks Indigenous Investor(s)

  • Industry identifies and approaches Indigenous group(s)
  • Indigenous investment requires a loan guarantee between $20 million and $250 million

4. AIOC is Approached with a Proposed Project / Acquisition

  • Indigenous group(s) and industry partner provide details and financials related to the investment opportunity

5. Eligibility and Due Diligence

  • Does the project meet eligibility requirements?
  • Does the Indigenous group meet eligibility requirements?
  • Does the project meet rigorous risk parameters?
  • Is the project likely to provide an appropriate, sustainable return on investment?

6. AIOC provides Capacity Supports to Advance the Opportunity

The AIOC capacity grant program is intended to provide funding to Indigenous groups to access third-party expertise and services to navigate assessment, negotiation and closing on a project.

From the beginning, AIOC has understood that issuing a loan guarantee is one of the final steps in the process of structuring a complex investment or acquisition.

Long before that can happen, Indigenous groups must perform thorough due diligence, work out the fine details, and structure the deal to follow best practices. These deals are complex and require the services of numerous advisors to structure the deal and navigate the due diligence process.

The capacity grant program is designed to complement AIOC’s loan guarantee investment program. Capacity grants are primarily focused on the advancement of projects with a high likelihood of alignment with AIOC’s mandate parameters.

It is a unique approach that has proven instrumental in setting projects up for success.

AIOC’s capacity grant program will support Indigenous groups to:

  • Conduct the due diligence necessary to evaluate projects
  • Access third-party advisory services (e.g. legal, accounting, engineering, financial, etc. to properly assess, execute and close deals)
  • Advance projects that have a high likelihood of being supported through an AIOC loan guarantee

In 2024-2025, AIOC provided $1.5M in capacity grants to 49 Indigenous groups.

8 Capacity Grants

49 Indigenous Groups

$1.5 Million

for financial
due diligence, legal and tax advisory

7. Loan Guarantee is Approved

  • AIOC is confident all criteria have been met, that interest costs and principal repayments can be made, and that cash distributions can be provided to the Indigenous groups
  • A loan guarantee is provided to the lender
  • Indigenous group receives required financing to invest

8. Shareholder / Acquisition Agreement Signed

  • All parties sign the agreement to formalize the investment and partnership terms

9. Project Cash Flows

  • The project moves forward
  • Cash flow is generated
  • Cash flow is used to pay interest and make loan repayments

10. Remaining Cash Flows Distributed to Indigenous Groups

  • Remaining cash flows, after servicing the debt, is distributed to Indigenous groups
  • Indigenous groups decide how to use such cash distributions

Community
Amenities /
Facilities

Community
Infrastructure

Community
Services

Business
Development

Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation Multiplex Impact drone photo

Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation Multiplex Impact Video

1. Supports funding of the debt and equity portions of an investment

2. Makes financing more available

3. Improves lending terms

James Jackson

James Jackson,

Band Councillor, Whitefish Goodfish Lake
First Nation #128:

The investment revenue that has allowed us to build vital community spaces is a testament to the power of meaningful partnerships. These initiatives are more than economic transactions but rather they are investments in our people, our future and our ability to shape our own prosperity. We recognize and value the role AIOC plays in empowering Nations to reinvest in their priorities, from infrastructure to essential services that improve the quality of life for our members. We also commend AIOC for its continued efforts in expanding its reach, including the opening of your new office on Enoch Cree Nation.

This step truly reflects a deep commitment to working alongside First Nations and Métis communities on our terms, ensuring that economic reconciliation is not just a vision but a reality. ay hiy

Once again, thank you for your dedication and continued support. We look forward to building on this strong partnership and creating even greater opportunities for our people.

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