The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that TC Energy is talking to B.C. and Alberta indigenous groups about a potential deal in which they would acquire a share of the company's NGTL natural gas pipeline network. The Globe's Wendy Stueck and Brent Jang write that the company met with some indigenous communities in Vancouver before Christmas and another meeting is planned in Edmonton next week, said Niilo Edwards, executive director of the B.C.-based First Nations Major Projects Coalition, a group that works with indigenous communities that are interested in equity positions in projects that go through their traditional territories. The coalition is representing at least one B.C. first nation in the talks and will likely work with more as the process continues, Mr. Edwards said, adding that the potential transaction highlights the need for a federally backed indigenous loan guarantee program. "We're encouraged by this -- and the reality is, it should reinforce the need for a government backstop in the form of a federal loan guarantee program," he said. Communities face barriers in accessing capital, including the Indian Act, which make it difficult to provide collateral to secure a conventional loan.