Energy for a secure future joined more than 1600 professionals, 200 companies, 80 engaging speakers and 450 indigenous representatives at the latest First Nations Major Projects Coalition Conference: Our Collective Advantage, on April 22-23.
We were a proud sponsor of this year’s Networking Lounge, which provided a great space for delegates to come together, grab a coffee and converse.
For ESF, the conference was a great opportunity to bring the energy conversation to a new audience through interviews with media outlets and social media posts by our Chair, advisory council members and affiliate organizations.
This message was also shared through ESF Chair Shannon Joseph’s introduction of the Ministerial Panel with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland. In her introductory remarks she highlighted that:
- Indigenous peoples are playing a leading role in building a secure future through the development of major projects including liquefied natural gas, pipelines, electricity generation and transmission, carbon capture and hydrogen among others.
- A secure future is something we are all seeking and should include strong energy fundamentals (affordability, reliability, resilience and security), broad social acceptance and support of environmental goals.
- The announced Federal Loan Guarantee for Indigenous communities presented in the Federal Budget 2024 in an important milestone for reconciliation in Canada. The program will be sector-neutral – supporting everything from oil and gas to SMRs – and will leverage the federal government’s lower borrowing costs for greater benefits to communities.
ESF closed the conference with a luncheon panel on day 2. “Energizing Progress: Indigenous-Led Energy Projects for a Thriving Future“, which explored the landscape of Indigenous partnerships in energy projects and their role in advancing prosperity and quality of life for Indigenous peoples across Canada. The panelists spoke to models for collaboration and the benefits that have been achieved. They also highlighted important areas of policy that will be needed to realize the full potential of Indigenous equity participation.
The session included an introduction by John Desjarlais, Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network, and panelists Stephen Buffalo, President and CEO, Indian Resource Council of Canada; Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance; Justin Bourque PMP., Founding President, Athabasca Indigenous Investments; Guy Lonechild, CEO, First Nations Power Authority. ESF Chair Shannon Joseph served as moderator.
“It makes sense as Canadians to look at the global panorama of emissions, and act locally, supporting indigenous energy projects, to provide solutions that help lower emissions around the world, while growing the local economy.”
– Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
“Canadian indigenous energy projects are not going anywhere but forward. The world needs more energy, particularly natural gas and we are here to supply it.”
– Stephen Buffalo, President and CEO, Indian Resource Council of Canada
“Indigenous people have capacity. They have a wealth of knowledge. Knowledge sharing between parties within a project is essential. So, listening with intention, instead of trying to bring solutions is the way forward.”
– Justin Bourque PMP., Founding President, Athabasca Indigenous Investments
“There is a lot to be learned from the oil and gas sector where we see increasing Indigenous-led projects that help create wealth for communities and these learnings can be applied, as we look to develop other sources of energy across the country.”
– Guy Lonechild, CEO, First Nations Power Authority
