Our newsletter: 15 January 2026
From pipeline backlash to benefits
As elected chief councillor for the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in BC, Karen Ogen faced “huge backlash” for the decision to support the Coastal GasLink natural-gas pipeline and LNG.
But there were benefits, and “our community is thriving now.” Karen now is CEO of our First Nations Natural Gas Alliance
- Watch her Breakthrough Nation interview with Karen Restoule of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute: https://ow.ly/mVUx50XUCZh
Karen Restoule (left) and Karen Ogen
First Nations win two key court rulings
But appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada could follow on both, meaning it could be years before the cases and their impact can be finally settled.
In the most recent ruling, the BC Court of Appeal delivered its decision on a challenge by the Gitxaala and Ehattesaht Nations to BC’s mineral-tenure system.
The two Nations argued that BC’s automated online registry system permitted “free miners” to register claims to mineral rights on Crown land without first consulting with affected First Nations.
The Nations said this was inconsistent with the “duty to consult” them, as recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The BC Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 majority decision, agreed.
Earlier, the BC Supreme Court ruled that the Cowichan Nation holds Aboriginal title to some 7½ square kilometres of southeastern Lulu Island in Richmond, and an additional two-thirds of a square kilometre along the Fraser River shoreline.
The case has also sparked concern from private property owners, and has generated some backlash against the adoption in Canada of the United Nations Declaration on the. Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Cowichan have made it clear they are not targeting private landowners, and may instead seek compensation from governments for the land that was taken. But this case, too, could mean an appeal to the BC Court of Appeal and perhaps later a further time-consuming appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Read more in our blog: https://ow.ly/ChmL50XUEbw
Supreme Court of Canada justices; photo from National Film Board
Karen Ogen on panel at BC Natural Resources Forum
Coming up Wednesday Jan. 21, Alliance CEO Karen Ogen takes part in the panel below at the BC Natural Resources Forum at Prince George: https://ow.ly/WaN050XRvPp •Register here: https://ow.ly/BjfA50XRvSb
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- From Crystal Smith of Haisla Nation: “Haisla are preparing to bring Cedar LNG—the world’s first Indigenous-majority-owned LNG facility—into full operation. . . . This is a story every First Nation across Canada has the ability to tell—if they choose it.” https://ow.ly/vwm150XVRBC
- “Is the Philippines interested in Canadian LNG? 150 percent.” – Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, ambassador of the Philippines to Canada. Watch this video interview with Shannon Joseph of Energy for a Secure Future Canada: https://ow.ly/BJbp50XToIn
- BC‘s business outlook for 2026 includes potential expansion of LNG Canada, and work continues on Cedar LNG, Woodfibre LNG, and Ksi Lisims LNG and its PRGT pipeline: https://lnkd.in/gvz64bFX
- A final green light for the Nisga’a Nation’s Ksi Lisims LNG project in BC is one of five things to watch for in energy this year: https://ow.ly/QU7w50XSoqJ
- As more ships switch to LNG as their primary fuel, the Port of Nanaimo and Seaspan Marine are stepping up to meet the demand: https://ow.ly/OBl650XQ46F
EVENTS
- TODAY: Resource Works: Alliance of Resource Communities reception, Jan. 19, Prince George. Register: https://ow.ly/xtBC50XG3rA
- BC Natural Resources Forum, Jan. 20-22, Prince George: https://ow.ly/71Y250Wj0zL
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and Scotiabank, Economic Outlook Forum, Jan. 29, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/pIlz50Xf8TW
- Assembly of First Nations, National Natural Resources Forum, Feb. 10-11, Calgary: https://ow.ly/HIG650Xp5v6
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade/Bennett Jones, energy and natural resources forum, Feb. 19, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/gIBv50Xz9hN
- Canadian Gas Association, CGA Energy Security Summit, March 10-11, Ottawa: https://ow.ly/6FLp50VQu0N
- The Indigenous Forward Summit (West Coast): March 11-12, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/QuVk50Xri0Q
- Nation2Nation Women’s Gathering, April 23-24, Prince George: https://ow.ly/sBxu50XsTSZ
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition, 9th annual conference, April 29-May 1, Toronto: https://ow.ly/baN350Xz7gU
- Public Policy Forum’s Canada Growth Summit, May 7, Toronto: https://ow.ly/ikCs50WGyYr
- The Indigenous Forward Summit (West), May 13-14, Calgary: https://ow.ly/pgku50XrhQ7
- Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, June 3-5, Nanaimo: https://ow.ly/lla050Xv9JH
- Global Energy Show Canada, June 9-11, Calgary: https://ow.ly/NnlW50XffWC
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(Published here 17 January 2026)
