The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Royal Bank of Canada is launching an indigenous advisory and finance practice in a bid to increase access to capital for indigenous-owned major projects and other investments. The Globe's Stefanie Marotta writes that Ottawa has pegged major projects for fast-track status, many of which will require buy-in from indigenous groups. RBC said its new group, housed in RBC's capital markets unit, will connect indigenous groups with specialized expertise through advisory services, financing and by strengthening access to capital. "With most major projects on or next to indigenous lands, it's critical that indigenous partnership is at the heart of this process – our shared prosperity depends on it," chief executive officer Dave McKay said at a conference Thursday held by the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. Mr. McKay said Canada needs $1.8-trillion in capital investment over the next decade to drive economic growth. While that is a high bar, he said foreign direct investment is at its highest level in more than a decade. Canada has signed 20 trade deals in the past 12 months aimed at reaching Ottawa's goal of $300-billion in new, non-U.S. trade over the next decade.