The Canadian federal government has committed more than C$850 000 to support Indigenous participation in critical minerals–related development across Northern Ontario, as part of its broader strategy to build a competitive and inclusive mining sector aligned with the energy transition.

Natural Resources Canada said on Wednesday that the funding would be allocated to 14 Indigenous economic development projects in the region, supporting engagement, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities linked to clean energy and transportation infrastructure required for critical minerals development.

The announcement was made in Thunder Bay by Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Patty Hajdu, who said Indigenous participation was central to Canada’s economic and reconciliation objectives.

“Supporting Indigenous-led initiatives goes beyond economic reconciliation. Northern Ontario is stronger when Indigenous leadership and knowledge help shape our shared future, create good jobs, and build sustainable economies and partnerships across the region,” Hajdu said.

Critical minerals are key inputs for clean technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles and solar panels, and the government has identified Indigenous participation as essential to unlocking the economic potential of these resources, particularly where projects are located on traditional territories and treaty lands.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson said the funding would help strengthen Canada’s resource supply chains while advancing reconciliation.

“Investments like these build the foundation for a stronger and more competitive resource sector that also advances reconciliation. Working together, we can strengthen the resiliency and security of our supply chains, create opportunities for Indigenous Peoples' leadership and create the good jobs Canadian workers deserve, right here in Canada,” Hodgson said.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Claude Guay said federal support was helping position Canada as a global leader in responsible critical minerals development.

“Canada is proud to invest in critical minerals development that supports Indigenous participation in our world-leading critical minerals sector. Federal support is driving innovation, advancing reconciliation and strengthening global partnerships through responsible resource development across the country,” Guay said.

The funding forms part of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to advance mineral development and related value chains to support advanced manufacturing and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The strategy is being implemented in collaboration with provincial, territorial, Indigenous and industry partners.

The government noted that Indigenous engagement is a core component of mining and infrastructure development, given the location of many proposed projects. Support is provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund Indigenous Grants, which focus on engagement, capacity building and knowledge-gathering related to enabling infrastructure.

Building on this, Canada’s Budget 2025 announced the creation of a First and Last Mile Fund, with C$1.5-billion allocated over four years from 2026/27. The fund will expand support across the critical minerals value chain, from mine development to midstream processing, and will include enhanced funding to support Indigenous leadership and participation.