Our newsletter: 19 June 2025
Ready, Set, ReconciliACTION
A message from our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen, on how Canada is open for business, with strong support, leadership and ownership by Indigenous peoples:
She said at the Global Energy Show in Calgary: “The strong sense of Canadian nationalism in the face of U.S. threats is felt across many First Nations and has galvanized support for major projects.
“First Nations are writing the roadmap to clean-energy prosperity, a roadmap to owning our future.
“This is reconciliaction.”
- Read more here: https://ow.ly/sEp550W93XU
First Nations LNG = benefits shared
There’s been good news for two key Indigenous LNG developments, the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project (graphic above) and the Nisga’a Nation’s Ksi Lisims LNG, and thus for the benefits to come to their Indigenous stakeholders.
Benefits from those projects will also flow to other Indigenous peoples.
The Nisga’a plans for sharing the benefits include offering equity positions to nations along the project’s pipeline route.
The Haisla Nation has also promised benefits to neighbouring First Nations. And the Coastal GasLink pipeline that feeds Cedar LNG (and LNG Canada) offers options to nations along the route for a 10% equity share.
- Read more: https://ow.ly/5jm450W9zt8
Indigenous message to G7 leaders
The Alliance and other Indigenous organizations sent letters to each head of government before the G7+ meetings in Alberta June 15-17.
“We look forward to establishing a collaborative and practical approach to LNG development, global energy security, and genuine international cooperation.”
And the message included this: “Canadian energy is Indigenous energy. Today, Indigenous Peoples . . . working with partners in industry to advance energy and economic security at home and abroad.”
It concluded with this: “We see these projects as critical to supporting you and our other international allies, with energy security, economic growth and emissions reduction.
“Moreover, for Indigenous Nations in Canada, these projects represent training, jobs, revenues for programs to c re for our youth and elders, preservation of our languages and our own economic and environmental security.”
- Read the letters: https://ow.ly/kLIw50W9zxV
Haisla Nation a model
Chief Councillor Crystal Smith of the Haisla Nation in BC tells National Post about her nation’s benefits from (and its plans to be a part of) LNG development.
“LNG emerged as the most vital opportunity, and our partnership with LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink was the beginning of something meaningful. It evolved into our own project — Cedar LNG — giving us not just participation but ownership.
“Success is having a strong, independent nation with people who are mentally and spiritually strong — and who have opportunity. Since 2015, revenues from industry have helped us invest in healing from generational trauma and, perhaps most importantly, in revitalizing our culture and language.”
- Read the interview: https://ow.ly/kLIw50W9zxV
Meanwhile, Chief Crystal (who is also chair of our First Nations Natural Gas Alliance) announced that, after eight years on the Haisla elected council, she will not run again.
- Read more: https://ow.ly/VM6N50W9zB7
First Nations and clean energy
- Construction begins on Ulkatcho First Nation’s Anahim Lake solar project in BC: https://ow.ly/FSH550W8la3 (Photo above)
- BC Hydro will take power from the Ulkatcho solar project: https://ow.ly/faEw50W8BuW
- Ottawa puts up another $4.9 million for the project, bringing its contribution to almost $17 million: https://ow.ly/jtK050WbEEz
- Liard First Nation and Kaska Utilities break ground for Sādę’ Renewable Energy solar farm in Yukon: https://ow.ly/qMJE50WbEOi
- Canada’s Indigenous communities will play a pivotal role in the clean-energy transition: https://ow.ly/4o4w50W53Ug
- Hydroelectricity generates over 60% of Canada’s power. Collaboration between Indigenous knowledge and engineering expertise is driving innovation. https://ow.ly/5K8h50W5r8Z
- Nuclear energy is growing in Canada. And Indigenous participation in nuclear projects is also growing: https://ow.ly/5HIE50W5v61
Also in the news
- Construction of BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line to begin next year; negotiations continue for co-ownership by First Nations: ly/fiPF50W98zL
- Chris Sankey: ‘As Indigenous people, let’s make free, prior and informed consent work for us, to benefit not only our people, but all Canadians.’ https://ow.ly/mlug50W8pTs
- Indigenous-led clean-energy projects are blueprints for Canada’s energy future: https://ow.ly/ifgR50W6V3H
- Alberta loan guarantees help Indigenous Peoples participate in the economy, particularly in energy projects: https://ow.ly/xUgh50W8EGh
- BC Premier David Eby, in South Korea, backs PRGT gas pipeline to KsiLisims LNG, and LNG sales to Asia: ly/3BaM50W7txz
- From Energy for a Secure Future Canada: There’s a strong business case for Canadian LNG in Asia. Watch the Nigel Hannaford interview with ESF chair Shannon Joseph: https://ow.ly/e0pT50W9ywi
EVENTS
- TODAY: Canadian Gas Association’s Economic Regulations School. June 23-26, Vancouver. Register: https://ow.ly/ejG250W08oc
- RBN Energy’s School of Energy Canada, Aug. 26-27, Calgary: https://ow.ly/ebPW50Vy9LO
- Assembly of First Nations, annual general assembly, Sept. 3-5, Winnipeg: https://ow.ly/nhVK50WbQXY
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s annual Indigenous Opportunities Forum, Oct. 2, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/WTWt50WaVJ5
- Ninth annual Nation2Nation forum, Oct. 21-23, Kitimat BC: https://ow.ly/LvkJ50VYq07
2026
- Canadian Gas Association, CGA Energy Security Summit, March 10-11, Ottawa: https://ow.ly/6FLp50VQu0N
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