Meet FNFM
At First Nations Financial Markets (FNFM), we are proud to be a majority First Nations-owned investment dealer. Our firm was created in partnership with six Alberta First Nations and operates on the foundation of shareholder inclusion and stewardship.
We help public companies, governments, and other issuers raise capital, drive growth, and seize new opportunities — while ensuring First Nations participation in the financial sector through prosperity, professional development, and meaningful pathways into capital markets.
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Mission
Our mission is to empower our clients to grow through expert capital markets solutions — while advancing First Nations participation, economic inclusion, and professional excellence. Our mission is rooted in relationships by bridging institutional markets and the inclusion of our First Nations shareholders.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO​
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Canada is experiencing a historic economic awakening for Indigenous Peoples. In this novel environment, Indigenous leadership and worldviews are not optional — they are essential to unlocking resilience and prosperity across the country.
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At First Nations Financial Markets (FNFM), our purpose is clear: to strengthen First Nations participation in Canada’s capital markets while delivering disciplined, credible solutions for institutional clients and partners. Founded in partnership with six Alberta First Nations, our model is grounded in shareholder participation and stewardship. As a majority First Nations–owned investment dealer regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), FNFM bridges institutional markets with long-term value-creation for our shareholders.
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True economic participation comes through ownership. At FNFM, we are shaping a model built on collaboration, reciprocity, and enduring relationships. Inclusion in capital markets is not an add-on; it is integral to our business, to Canada’s financial system, and to the future of our First Nations partners.
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Though early in our journey, our commitments are firm. Our success will be measured not only by the transactions we close, but by the pathways we create for Indigenous economic participation and the confidence we earn from institutional partners.
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I am honoured to lead this firm alongside our First Nations shareholders, and I look forward to working with clients, governments, and communities to advance a model of finance that delivers tangible benefits today and lasting legacies for generations to come.
Robert Van Belle
Chief Executive Officer
First Nations Financial Markets
Our Team
Robert Van Belle
CEO
Robert is a highly experienced investment banker with a strong focus on project finance and capital markets. His expertise spans a diverse range of transactions, including the structuring and execution of deals for power projects (wind, hydro, gas, and coal), LNG projects, and infrastructure assets such as toll roads, airports, and rail leasing. He also has significant experience in digital infrastructure, including towers, data centers, and fiber networks.
Robert’s background includes serving as an advisor for both the buy-side and sell-side, as well as acting as a sponsor on numerous public-private partnership (PPP) transactions in Canada and the United States. His work at Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and the Inter-American Development Bank has given him deep insight into capital formation and financial markets.
Robert has experience working with First Nations in Alberta, giving him a deep understanding of the importance of relationship-building, cultural respect, and shared value creation in advancing Indigenous economic participation.
As Chief of Sawridge First Nation in Treaty 8, Isaac Twinn is focused on advancing cultural and community development, sustainable economic growth, and food sovereignty initiatives. He holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, a bachelor’s degree in Native Studies from the University of Alberta, and an advanced law degree from Columbia Law School; he is also a member of the Law Societies of Alberta and British Columbia.
His leadership combines academic expertise in Indigenous rights with a strong commitment to strengthening community well-being, advancing economic inclusion, and building long-term capacity within the Nation. Under his guidance, Sawridge is diversifying its economic interests – ranging from energy and infrastructure to food sovereignty – with the goal of creating prosperity and self-sufficiency for future generations.
Twinn represents a new generation of Indigenous leadership, blending traditional values with modern insights to expand opportunities for Sawridge First Nation.
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Chief Isaac Twinn
Sawridge First Nation Chief
Bring your expertise.
Make a difference.
We’re always looking for talented people who share our vision for strengthening First Nations participation in capital markets. By joining FNFM, you will contribute to a new model of finance – one where First Nations and institutional expertise work in unison to shape the future of the Indigenous economy.
Get in touch to explore current opportunities and discover how your skills can make a meaningful impact.
