3 BIG Reasons Why B.C. LNG Matters to First Nations

3 BIG Reasons Why B.C. LNG Matters to First Nations

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three big reasons why indigenous communities support british columbia's liquefied natural gas projects

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in British Columbia is more than just a vital emerging economic sector for Canadians; it represents a unique opportunity for collaboration and partnership with First Nations communities.

In the words of Indigenous community leaders: “Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG… And there is no Canadian LNG unless it’s Indigenous LNG.”

With Coastal GasLink now complete and LNG Canada, Cedar LNG, Ksi Lisims LNG, Woodfibre LNG, and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission to come, it’s important we highlight why these projects mean so much to Indigenous LNG proponents in Canada.

Reason #1 – Immense Economic Opportunities

LNG First Nations Canada Support Quote Eva Clayton

B.C. LNG projects provide generational economic opportunities for First Nations that are often located in remote regions. Canada’s vast and expansive land means that significant career and community-building opportunities, like LNG development, come around once in a lifetime for these areas of the province.

Coastal GasLink (CGL) is an excellent example of what’s at stake for First Nations communities through natural resource development on their lands.

Not only did CGL sign multi-millions of dollars worth in benefit agreements with all 20 Indigenous communities along its route, hire thousands of Indigenous workers, and spend billions on contracts with Indigenous and local businesses, it also signed a historic agreement with 17 First Nations to purchase a 10 per cent equity stake in the project.

“Fundamentally, reconciliation is impossible without a strong economic foundation to advance change,” says Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance [1].

“For Indigenous communities, the outcomes of building Canadian LNG are tangible and essential: jobs and Indigenous-owned businesses, own-source revenues to fund clean drinking water, housing and economic opportunities, and more.”

CGL is just one of many examples of Indigenous economic reconciliation at work through the development of B.C.’s natural gas infrastructure. LNG Canada, for example, has spent more than $3.7 billion on contracts and procurement from local and Indigenous-owned businesses to date.

Reason #2 – Building Up Communities

LNG First Nations Canada Support Quote Karen Ogen

Ogen touches on the immense social benefits of new and significant economic opportunities presented by LNG development for B.C. First Nations. The FNLNG’s CEO is one of many Indigenous leaders who have mentioned how these projects will drastically improve socio-economic conditions within their communities.

According to Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, new LNG projects are helping do just that.

“It’s hard to put into words about the impact on the ground in terms of how this opportunity has affected our members in their lives,” says Smith via reporting by the Canadian Energy Centre [2].

“This work has really helped us reconnect with other Indigenous communities along pipelines and shipping routes. When I was growing up, our communities never had the opportunity to come together because we were separated by the territorial boundaries imposed by the Indian Act. And we were fighting each other for financial scraps from Indian Affairs.”

“Now we are working together to make our own opportunities as owners and developers of the resource. That’s very empowering and the most important part. Participating in developing these resources provides independence. It’s the only solution for my nation and other Indigenous communities.” 

Chief Smith’s Nation is the majority owner of the up-and-coming floating Cedar LNG export facility, the largest Indigenous-owned infrastructure project in Canadian history.

Reason #3 – Ownership and Reconciliation

LNG First Nations Canada Support Quote Crystal Smith

The development of B.C.’s LNG industry represents a significant opportunity for First Nations to partner in economic development, bringing skills and job training to their people while nurturing community growth.

In many instances, like Ksi Lisims LNG and Cedar LNG, Indigenous communities are majority owners of these projects. They will be built on their lands, meaning long-lasting socio-economic benefits for decades to come.

Cedar LNG, for example, will play a key role in forging the Haisla Nation’s path to economic independence over the next 40 years, according to the B.C. government. It will provide up to 500 jobs during construction and 100 long-term, secure jobs once operational [3].

Eva Clayton, President of the Nisga’a Lisims Government and the leading proponent of Ksi Lisims LNG, believes that their project will be instrumental in her community's economic future.

“Ksi Lisims LNG project will be the heartbeat of our Nation’s economy. It’s our best chance to build prosperity and a positive future for our people,” said Clayton in a July 2023 interview [4].

It’s abundantly clear that Indigenous ownership in B.C. LNG projects are ushering in a new era of economic reconciliation with First Nations in Canada. These projects will create long-lasting benefits for communities to be felt over decades, providing newfound and profound opportunities for all involved.

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SOURCES:

1 - https://indigenouslng.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Indigenous-LNG-Opinion-Editorial.pdf

2 - https://www.canadianenergycentre.ca/lng-leader-haisla-nation-chief-councillor-crystal-smith-on-the-worlds-first-indigenous-project/

3 - https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024EMLI0034-001003

4 - https://www.bv.com/news/black-and-veatch-chosen-for-feed-work-on-proposed-ksi-lisims-lng-floating-natural-gas-project-in-canada/