Canada to Fund Indigenous Resource Opportunities
The government of Canada said March 18 it would provide funding totalling C$3.6 (US$2.9)mn to a pair of groups pursuing natural resource opportunities for Canada’s First Nations.
Natural Resources Canada minister Seamus O’Regan said C$2.6mn would be provided to the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) while C$1mn would go to the First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI).
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“Both of these initiatives will increase indigenous participation in the natural resources economy by developing collaborative relationships between industry and government, increasing certainty around First Nations participation in major project development and advancing meaningful engagement,” Natural Resources Canada said in a news release.
The funds for both groups came through the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) program, which provides support to indigenous communities and organisations in BC and Alberta to increase their participation in economic opportunities related to oil and gas infrastructure development.
The FNMPC examines how to facilitate indigenous ownership of major resource projects and how to improve environmental practices while providing support to indigenous communities to undertake natural resource projects.
“The First Nations Major Projects Coalition provides support to First Nations in making informed business decisions concerning their participation in major projects,” FNMPC chair chief Sharleen Gale said. “Our services are helping to fill a critical capacity gap faced by many First Nations, and this funding will ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our members.”
The FNCI, meanwhile, will develop climate change mitigation policies that simultaneously increase Canada’s efforts in addressing climate change and enhance the capacity of First Nations to achieve self-determination through participation in natural resource projects.
“The FNCI is intent on increasing indigenous participation and ownership in economic opportunities related to gas infrastructure development, including net-zero LNG on the north coast, so all our communities can achieve economic self-determination,” Crystal Smith, chief councillor of BC’s Haisla Nation, said. “We are leading our communities out of poverty in a manner that addresses climate change on a local and global scale, which is to everyone’s benefit.”
Last December, the FNMPC and the FNCI signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to advance an indigenous-led, net-zero policy framework for major energy and infrastructure projects. Together, they bring together 70 First Nations in six provinces and territories across Canada to lead and own economic development projects that contribute to national and global climate aspirations.
“We invite everyone who shares these aspirations to join us,” chief Harold Leighton of BC’s Metlakatla First Nation said. “More importantly, we invite those who don’t or may be sceptical that this is a greenwash for LNG development, to speak with us. We need real solutions to these shared challenges, and we can only achieve that together.”