From Karen Ogen’s opening remarks at a meeting of Alliance advisors on 13 January:
Since the Alliance was formed over a decade ago, we have been we have seen the ups and downs of an LNG industry that has started from scratch in BC.
The BC government recognized early that First Nations would play an important role.
The role of First Nations has increased and matured over the past decade. But it’s important to note that we started off as having a place in a discussion.
We have grown that to be a stronger voice. We have provided people, services, expertise, and we’ve become economic partners. We have started to own our own economic future.
When the LNG opportunity darkened in 2016-2017, and the incoming government was less enthusiastic about the role of the Alliance, we hung in there.
We continue to represent our member nations and continue to be a voice for the First Nations who wanted to pursue the opportunity of responsible natural-gas development.
The Coastal GasLink pipeline conflicts brought into focus that divergent views exist within First Nations and the public at large.
The Alliance spoke up for those First Nations who saw a future in collaboration and economic reconciliation
when the LNG Industry Association decided to fold a few years ago, LNG Canada and other companies looked to the Alliance to carry on the important work of educating, advocating, convening discussions and integrating the work of industry and First Nations,
We welcomed affiliate members who help fund us and contribute their expertise. This has essentially replaced government funding.
In conjunction with the global LNG 2023 conference in Vancouver, we launched a campaign to demonstrate that Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG.
When Canada exports LNG, it’s done responsibly, and with First Nations collaboration and participation.
We also realized that, although we started as the First Nations LNG Alliance, there is no LNG without the upstream and midstream contribution and support in Treaty 8 territory.
We reflected on our role, with our board and our affiliate members, and changed our name to the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance.
Treaty 8 Nations, MacLeod Lake and Prophet River, have joined the Alliance, and we continue to engage in the Treaty 8 region.
I have made multiple trips to the northeast of BC, and will continue to do so. We want all nations engaged in natural gas to see themselves represented by the Alliance.
Over the past couple of years, a new wave of optimism is taking place. LNG Canada’s Phase One is operating. Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG are under construction. Ksi Lisims LNG is being advanced, ands hopes for a final investment decision this year.
And Enbridge sold 12.5% of its West Coast natural-gas pipeline system to 38 First Nations.
It’s encouraging progress, and billions of dollars in procurement benefits and revenues are flowing to First Nations.
Looking ahead, 2026 looks to be a pivotal year for First Nations’ interest in natural-gas development.
LNG and natural-gas development are not just an opportunity, they are a national imperative.
US trade action and threats to Canadian sovereignty are making it necessary for Canada to try to diversify its exports and build its economic resilience.
Public opinion across Canada is aligned with federal and provincial actions to expedite major projects, including natural gas and LNG.
The Carney government has become much more aggressive than the Trudeau government when it comes to developing Canada’s energy resources.
The BC government has also become more positive: from a negative position in 2023 it has evolved its thinking to be more supportive of LNG development, made more critical by a record government deficit.
Both levels of government have strong energy ministers that want to engage.
There are challenges: The Canada-Alberta MOU that includes a potential oil pipeline to the BC coast, possibly the north coast, may impact levels of activism, and possibly impact natural-gas projects.
Recent court rulings, for example, the Cowichan and the Gitxaala, are impacting public perceptions of reconciliation and stoking fears regarding private-property rights. Alliance and member First Nations must navigate through this highly charged environment.
The current push for projects will not last forever. Market conditions may change. Ministers and governments may change. US competition from Alaska and the Gulf Coast may hold us back.
First Nations communities continue to face significant socio-economic barriers, such as lack of capacity, need for skills training, and we continue to deal with the trauma of residential schools and the impact of addiction.
We have a lot more lot of work in front of us.
The core purpose of the Alliance is to represent First Nations seeking to own their own future through responsible natural-gas development.
We have a lot of success behind us, but much more potential to support our communities if we all work together and do it right.
(Posted here 17 January 2026)
