Our newsletter: 22 May 2025
Chief David Jimmie
36 Nations buy into BC gas pipeline system
The Stonlasec8 Alliance of 36 First Nations in BC plans a $715-million investment in Enbridge’s Westcoast natural-gas pipeline system. It will give them a 12.5% interest in it.
“A significant milestone for Stonlasec8 First Nations and we are incredibly grateful to have the Government of Canada’s leadership and support to bring this deal to fruition,” said David Jimmie, chief of Squiala First Nation, and president and chair of Stonlasec8.
“Enbridge’s Westcoast pipeline system is a legacy asset that has operated within our traditional territories for over 65 years. Now, our Nations will receive sustained economic benefits from this asset, funding critical investments in housing, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.
“People often ask what economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples looks like. This is it.”
Greg Ebel, Enbridge’s CEO: “This transaction is one of several such partnerships we have undertaken in the last several years and we continue to explore additional opportunities for Indigenous partnerships.”
- Read more: https://ow.ly/UVJf50VVaw1
The investment is enabled by a $400-million federal loan guarantee, the first from the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation: https://ow.ly/3TTV50VTeeQ
LNG means new prosperity for Nation
Crystal Smith, elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation and chair of our First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, tells how LNG gives the Haisla Nation “an incredible reversal of fortune.”
“Instead of managing poverty, we are now managing prosperity. . . . We now have the revenues to help our people on our own terms, in a way that reconnects them to their culture and traditions.
“We are building critical community infrastructure, from housing to schools to daycares, health-care facilities and eldercare facilities. We are training our people with the skills needed to secure meaningful family-supporting jobs, and be meaningful contributors to the Canadian economy.”
And she calls for Indigenous people to be included in discussions about Canada’s energy future.
- Read more: https://ow.ly/Q7yK50VSL5e
LNG: new opportunity for reconciliation
Karen Ogen, CEO of our Alliance, on how Canada’s liquefied natural gas industry is presenting a unique opportunity for new Indigenous partnerships and economic reconciliation:
“It’s First Nations territory from where the gas is extracted in Treaty 8 territory, it’s First Nations territory across which gas is transported via pipeline, it is First Nations territory where LNG terminals are located, and it is First Nations waters through which carriers take LNG to market.
“In the case of Canada’s fledgling LNG industry, we broke a pattern that had existed for over a century. First Nations have been at the heart of the LNG opportunity – not on the sidelines like before – but on the job sites and in the boardrooms – helping to make it happen.”
- Read more from LNG Action: https://ow.ly/iKwT50VV9UB
Big news from Ksi Lisims LNG
France’s TotalEnergies signs an LNG-purchase agreement with the Nisga’a Nation’s Ksi Lisims LNG project, and will invest in project partner Western LNG: https://ow.ly/rObm50VWn5N • See also: https://ow.ly/2wYf50VWn5P
Alliance supports Global Energy Show
The future of Canadian energy is collaborative. The Alliance partners with the Global Energy Show Canada, June 10-12 in Calgary, to advance discussions on sustainable and inclusive energy development.
- Connect here: https://ow.ly/fnQF50VIrw3
- Watch this video: https://ow.ly/M4oE50VmMJN
- And register here: https://ow.ly/OKHw50VmMGR
First Nations and clean energy
- Canada’s largest battery storage farm just opened – and it’s Indigenous-led: https://ow.ly/MAzq50VS4F8 (Photo above)
- Kluane First Nation in Yukon now harnessing wind energy: https://ow.ly/b4rf50VV8rz
- Westbank Nation and Innergex sign purchase agreement with BC Hydro for K2 wind project: https://ow.ly/8em050VV8C3
- Fort Nelson Nation geothermal project awaits purchase agreement from BC Hydro: https://ow.ly/34Lu50VV8wU
- BC Hydro’s latest clean-energy proposals have a minimum 25% First Nations equity ownership: https://ow.ly/wmg150VQuK3
- Saskatchewan First Nations look to increase investments in renewable energy projects: https://ow.ly/q8jX50VQ2b5
- Nova Scotia puts $1.3 million into new solar projects, including a partnership with Potlotek First Nation: https://ow.ly/S4QS50VV8Q0
- Canada Infrastructure Bank commits $224.2 million to Nova Scotia wind project and Indigenous equity participation: https://ow.ly/ykUJ50VV8Uk
- BC says new renewable-energy projects would be a way to empower First Nations communities: https://ow.ly/GXWJ50VQu1w
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- Pembina Pipeline forecasts enough demand for LNG to expand the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project: ‘We believe there is demand for a Cedar 2.’ https://ow.ly/AoOt50VQsha
- LNG Canada advises of increased flaring of natural gas, through July 31. The flare height will vary between 20 and 60 metres. More info: https://ow.ly/4RKs50VTAOA
- New passenger terminal opens in Richmond for Woodfibre LNG workers heading for the project site. They’ll travel on a new 90-passenger vessel. https://ow.ly/SIgS50VSw33
- The Canadian Gas Association urges Prime Minister Mark Carney to take ‘three bold steps to position Canada as an energy superpower.’ They include modernizing Canada’s regulatory framework to fast-track innovation: https://ow.ly/vbvR50VVY37
- Wood Mackenzie: “While Canada’s LNG era is dawning with first shipments from LNG Canada Phase 1 not far off, further growth needs to be stimulated.” https://ow.ly/WS4R50VQtUC
EVENTS
- Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, inaugural First Nations Energy and Natural Resource Forum,May 28-29, Saskatoon: https://ow.ly/BGhN50VMG6w
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, Indigenous business networking event, May 29, Edmonton: https://ow.ly/kmnI50VMVgl
- 20th anniversary Calgary Energy Roundtable, May 29, Calgary: https://ow.ly/pqwI50VOvKZ
- First Nations Power Authority, ninth annual Indigenous Clean Energy Forum, June 4-5, Calgary: https://ow.ly/EtUy50V8mmW
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, Central Business Forum and Indigenous Women in Leadership awards dinner, June 5, Toronto: https://ow.ly/F36h50VtW2X
- Resource Works: Northeast BC Report: A Socio-Economic Portrait of the Peace Region. June 10: Join virtual discussion via https://ow.ly/GO9A50VTqbO
- Global Energy Show Canada (and Canada Gas & LNG 2025), June 10-12, Calgary: https://ow.ly/jcLE50VQu97
- June 12: Join our Alliance chair, Chief Crystal Smith, and our CEO, Karen Ogen, in this panel discussion at the Global Energy Show: Partnering with the World – First Nations Energy on the World Stage: https://ow.ly/JXEj50VQu5N
- Enserva speaker series: Premiers Danielle Smith and Scott Moe on the importance of growing oil and gas production, June 16, Calgary: https://ow.ly/Vh5O50VH1Gf
- Arctic Development Expo, June 17-19, Inuvik: https://ow.ly/A1Hj50Vqoql
- Ninth Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, June 18-20, Nanaimo: https://ow.ly/tZl650USCI8
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: Reconciliation in Action event, June 19, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/Hsqq50VAkyS
- Assembly of First Nations, annual general assembly, July 15-17, Winnipeg: https://ow.ly/VEqw50VJTSZ
- RBN Energy’s School of Energy Canada, Aug. 26-27, Calgary: https://ow.ly/ebPW50Vy9LO
- Ninth annual Nation2Nation forum, Oct. 21-23, Terrace BC: https://ow.ly/EZNl50V0s9f
2026
- Canadian Gas Association, CGA Energy Security Summit, March 10-11, Ottawa: https://ow.ly/6FLp50VQu0N
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