Our newsletter, 12 February 2026
Natural-gas and LNG are a must for Canada. That message was from Alliance CEO Karen Ogen (above), in her remarks at a meeting of the Alliance’s special advisory group:
“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.”
And, she said: “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, and 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.”
- Read more: https://bit.ly/3O4HLv1
This photo of (from left) Alliance president Eva Clayton, special advisor Crystal Smith and CEO Karen Ogen was used by iPolitics news to illustrate the following story:
Rights-holders, not stakeholders: Indigenous groups prepare for new era of project equity
The story said: “The federal government’s prioritization of projects with Indigenous co-owners is set to shape the major projects agenda.”
And it added: “Equity arrangements are emerging as the ultimate partnership arrangement in Canada’s major projects era.”
- Read it here: https://bit.ly/4r2yQc1
Karen Ogen honoured
The Indigenous Resource Network celebrated Karen Ogen and her Executive Master of Business Administration degree in Indigenous Business Leadership, from the SFU Beedie School of Business. More: https://bit.ly/45RRnPW
David Keane on LNG — and First Nations
Two strong posts on our website, and in our social-media channels, came from David Keane, an Alliance advisor, and an LNG expert with more 40 years of global energy experience:
In one, Keane emphasizes that Indigenous partnership is no longer optional, it is central to project success.
“Projects without strong Indigenous alignment struggle to secure financing. Projects with it move faster, face less opposition, and perform better over the long term.”
He points to growing First Nations support across proposed LNG projects in British Columbia as a major competitive advantage for Canada.
“There is a real opportunity for First Nations to participate as partners, owners, and leaders in LNG development,” Keane said. “That changes everything.”
- Read more: https://bit.ly/4qpHVdV
In his second post, Keane says Canada remains uniquely positioned to develop a world-class LNG export industry on both the West and East Coasts, provided projects advance with urgency, clarity of purpose, and early Indigenous leadership.
“Canada has a credible, large-scale energy opportunity. But the window is not unlimited. The leadership in this room will help determine how the next generation of LNG projects is shaped on Canada’s West Coast.”
- Read it here: https://bit.ly/4rIiFkm
FIRST NATIONS and CLEAN ENERGY
- Seven First Nations partner in the Greenstone power transmission line in Ontario: https://ow.ly/8A3F50Y5zmq
- First Nations Power Authority selects Mino Giizis Solar for 100-MW project in Saskatchewan: https://ow.ly/H9qI50Y5JRH
- Ontario fast-tracks Barrie-to-Sudbury transmission line with First Nation partnership: https://bit.ly/4kJVqUN
- First Nations group seeks to be considered by Manitoba Hydro for a wind-generation project in southern Manitoba: https://bit.ly/4bNv5Ti
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- BC has an ‘overlooked advantage’ when it comes to supporting AI. And that’s BC’s natural gas, used to generate electricity: https://ow.ly/iphz50Y4fXn See also: https://ow.ly/axbq50Y03n2
- Canadian LNG has ‘remarkable power’ to cut world emissions: https://ow.ly/3YyC50Y1T See also: https://ow.ly/2RNw50XIB39
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says ‘Indigenous partnerships are now central to moving (energy) projects forward.’ https://ow.ly/BpIH50Y3aVP
- LNG exports via the Port of Churchill? Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s vision includes an ‘energy corridor’ that could handle natural gas and LNG (and more) for export overseas: https://ow.ly/lbqF50Y9kfG
- Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will export 50 million tonnes of LNG per year by 2030, all destined for Asian markets. Video: https://ow.ly/Fpu050Y7HNh
EVENTS
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade/Bennett Jones, energy and natural resources forum, Feb. 19, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/gIBv50Xz9hN
- Business in Vancouver ‘40 Under 40’ awards, Feb. 19, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/ARj650XXs3X
- Canadian Institute, Western Indigenous Consultation & Engagement conference, Feb. 19-20, Edmonton: https://ow.ly/uk8v50Y5Kah
- Canadian Energy Executive Association, ‘Beyond Boomers: Full Throttle’ event, Feb. 26, Calgary. Alliance CEO Karen Ogen is a speaker: https://ow.ly/QPzu50Y5zk4
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, central business forum and dinner, Feb. 26, Toronto: https://ow.ly/6X8C50Y5Kaf
- BC Assembly of First Nations, Special Chiefs Assembly, March 4-5, Penticton: https://ow.ly/j1g250Y3Ngb
- BIV Influential Women in Business Awards, March 6, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/NhLO50XXs93
- The Indigenous Forward Summit (West Coast): March 11-12, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/QuVk50Xri0Q
- Canada Powered by Women, Powering Prosperity event: Energy and economy shaping Canada’s future:
- March 17, Regina: https://ow.ly/mShp50Y1Phr
- March 19, Halifax: https://ow.ly/YAEb50Y1Plz
- April 8, Toronto: https://ow.ly/W88X50Y1PuB
- April 15, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/RonI50Y1PA9
- National Coalition of Chiefs, Clean Energy Summit, April 20-22, Calgary: https://ow.ly/ZkQ250Y5JO5
- 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
- Indigenous Forward Summit (West), May 13-14, Calgary: https://ow.ly/pgku50XrhQ7
- Indigenous Forward Summit (East), May 13-14, Orillia ON: https://ow.ly/Wpxk50Y5Kai
- Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, June 3-5, Nanaimo: https://ow.ly/lla050Xv9JH
- Global Energy Show Canada, June 9-11, Calgary: https://ow.ly/NnlW50XffWC
- International Pipeline Conference and Expo, Sept. 21-25, Calgary: https://ow.ly/NmxS50Y5Kag
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