TORONTO -- The federal budget’s promise to spend $6-billion on infrastructure improvements in Indigenous communities is a welcome move, but closing an infrastructure shortfall estimated at $30 billion means breaking down barriers to funding and creating a climate of Indigenous equity ownership in projects, say experts. “Overall, there is a want from our Nations to become involved as partners in the economic activity that is happening in their territories, and our participation in major infrastructure projects is an opportunity for us to help shape the future and to strengthen our economies,” said Sharleen Gale, Chief of the Fort Nelson First Nation in northern British Columbia and chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition.