Working Together The idea of bringing together industry stakeholders and government leaders under a single roof in early June was made for a simple reason: tapping into all the accumulated knowledge, and enthusiasm, about a liquefied natural gas industry to show the world there is a will and a way to
a sustainable future.
Over the course of two days a community forum, an initiative of All Nations Consulting & Coaching and co-hosted with Haisla Nation Council and the District of Kitimat, presented the perspective of local leaders about why they rely on the development of the LNG industry for their communities. People also heard from the upstream communities about how developing this export industry would be a turning point for their residents. People even heard from B.C. Premier Christy Clark who pointed out that saying no to
projects, which have proven benefits to communities, means diminishing the opportunities of future generations, Aboriginal and nonAboriginal alike. Seeing an LNG industry develop in B.C. is not about a single community benefiting, or one group prospering over others. This is a real exercise in working together, unifying for the single purpose of giving people opportunities.
many individuals, businesses, and community leaders all on-board with LNG. This is an opportunity not to be wasted. The LNG industry is wanted. All of the northwest have had a taste of what can be achieved by seeing it happen.
It’s a prospect which deserves discussion.
From the coasts of Kitimat and Prince Rupert to the resource-rich communities of Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, all are calling in a unified way that they want LNG to happen.
What was heard at this event is that there are so
We hope it’s a message heard loud and clear.
The Haisla Nation Council is the band government of the Haisla people. Our mission is to build a powerful, prosperous and proud community, healthy in mind, body and spirit. We believe in building a strong and thriving community, with healthy and happy members and a sustained and prosperous environment. We are about 1700 people, with the majority living in Kitamaat Village. We have lived off the land and waters of our traditional territory for thousands of years, and it remains the focus of all we do.
We believe that careful and appropriate economic development will bring our people necessary self-sufficiency. Sustainable and realistic economic opportunities are increasingly available, and promise benefits for our people—and for every British Columbian. We know that in order to attain strength and independence our Nation must work together—with government, business, the community, and internally—with a spirit of respect and partnership.
- Haisla Nation Council, www.haisla.ca
Co-host sponsor
British Columbia, Canada is one of North America’s most competitive and dynamic business locations. Our community and Kitamaat Village (home of the Haisla First Nation) are located in the heart of northern British Columbia’s coast and the Kitimat Valley. We are Western Canada’s busiest private port, and—as one of only two wide-flat valleys on Canada’s west coast—we are a coastal trade location with room for growth. Kitimat is a successful competitor for new global trade. Over the past decade, we have attracted and supported investment valued at over $30 billion. These multi-million and multi-billion dollar projects include: an aluminum smelter expansion, liquefied natural gas export facilities, and green power developments. Substantial port facility development is expected in the coming years. The District of Kitimat continues to work with investors whose early-planning stage projects remain confidential. Our municipal government approach has earned Kitimat the reputation of being an important and distinctly professional Invest BC and Linx BC community. Our Invest Kitimat promotional approach is a key means of sustaining our community as a marvel of nature and industry. Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada is one of North America’s most competitive and dynamic business locations.
- District of Kitimat, www.kitimat.ca
Co-host sponsor
“LNG is critical to a positive future for the Haisla Nation.” Liquefied Natural Gas companies did something previous, unsuccessful projects never did; truly learning about the local First Nations community and their interests, and applying those interests in the development of a project. LNG Canada, for instance, based their approach with the Haisla on a foundation of respect. "They sat down and they listened. And in return, we listened. That's the only way a respectful relationship can happen,” said Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross. Ross says the benefits of an LNG project can come to everyone and it’s all of B.C. which will be lifted. “Our community members enjoyed some new job opportunities with recent expansion of an industrial facility in our territory but that project is complete now and we’re just waiting for one of the LNG projects to move forward. It would mean our community members living away from our territory could come home and raise their families here. Our community would realize new revenues and our community members would have new job opportunities. LNG is critical to a positive future for the Haisla Nation.”
Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross
Building bridges to reach the common goals Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth sees the big picture of what LNG means and has meant to community relations in the Kitimat Valley. He told attendees at Nation2Nation that he recognizes that all communities need to work together to thrive and prosper.
“Our communities must recognize the mutual interest and work together and support each other in our efforts in making our communities a better place to live,” he said.
District of Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth
To that he ties into the efforts of the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance, a coalition of 21 local governments and three regional districts, “all working together to help each other out.” He sees economic development, if done responsibly, as something that can complement the natural environment of the Kitimat area and not something which puts it at risk. "We're still very much supportive of [LNG]. It's not a matter of if, it is it's a matter of when,” he said. He added, “Just one of the proposed LNG projects in our area would mean new families moving to Kitimat, new revenues and a chance to improve our infrastructure and amenities. The District of Kitimat is ready and willing to work collaboratively with the Haisla Nation to realize these new opportunities and strengthen our communities.”
"We want to leave the world a little better for our kids." There’s a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of today’s leaders to build a healthy world for our children. That was the message of B.C. Premier Christy Clark, saying that the collective task going forward is to build relationships for everyone’s mutual benefit. "We want to leave the world a little better for our kids,” she said. That means jobs, a healthy environment and thriving communities.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark
"We want [our kids] to have the ability to shape their own destiny. Not be the victims of circumstance." Ultimately that’s what LNG means, she said. It’s a way for our children to lead fulfilling lives for themselves. First Nations children in particular have, “for far too long,” not have these chances. Endowing the next generation with opportunities means getting LNG to ‘yes’, and while she notes the global markets have held back Final Investment Decisions for projects, making sure it happens is a task her government has not relinquished.
As for the naysayers, she says those opponents lack the vision of the larger picture. "What I would argue is those people, without imagination, without determination, without the curiosity to really go look at what the different things are that we can do to make something work, are saying no to jobs, saying no to our future, saying no to our kids,� she said. Just managing poverty is not the right path, nor is sticking to the status-quo. Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals want jobs and a quality of life enjoyed by thousands of others, she said. "That means jobs. Jobs in communities like this one." If LNG Canada alone goes ahead, she points out, that's 7,500 jobs in construction and 800 permanent. LNG also will mean better air globally. "We all breath the same air around the world,� she said, pointing to the planned 1,500 coal plants around the world today "The only way those plants will not be built is if they can have access to natural gas, the transitional fuel that will help us get to cleaner air." Getting opportunities and getting a better environment means a collaborative approach from the public and stakeholders. "We cannot do this separately."
“We need an LNG industry for BC and we need it now.” The gas extraction industry has been misunderstood in recent years, says Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Bill Streeper. Despite media reports which claim otherwise, extracting natural gas is safe for his community and the region and has never put their drinking water at risk, a common complaint about the process which comes from other regions in the world, but not Canada. "LNG is critically important to northwestern BC and the province as a whole. It is critical that we support each other and work together to make LNG happen. Resource development and jobs plus protecting our environment. Yes we can have both." He says when people come to talk about the environment with him, he says, "the oil industry has probably had the greatest change in any industry at all in their environmental impact." He adds, "As of today there has been no recorded incident of any frack water migrating to the surface or into any potable water supply. Absolutely none." What he sees happening when LNG goes ahead is his community turning around and having families coming back home to work and to be together. And he knows that connecting with communities such as the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation means a better chance of that happening. “Development of an LNG industry for British Columbia is the only real economic opportunity we have in Northeast BC right now. Our community of Fort Nelson is suffering with people walking away from their homes because they can’t pay their mortgage due to not having a job. We need an LNG industry for BC and we need it now.”
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Bill Streeper
"Economic stability [is] a primary factor in our success.� Chief Derek Orr of the McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) sees what it means to be open to economic development. The band looks to opportunities which seek to balance prosperity for the members while always keeping mindful of the environment. When it comes to projects in their territory, such as mines, they have the unenviable task of wading through binders several inches thick full of documentation of project impacts. Yet embracing development has meant great opportunities McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief for their members getting work and training.
Derek Orr
"Economic stability [is] a primary factor in our success moving forward."
He says the MLIB owns three companies; Duz Cho Logging, Duz Cho Construction and Duz Cho Forestry. In 2000 the MLIB adhered to Treaty 8 which meant funding and land to pursue opportunities and today those companies bring in income and put people to work. "Getting on our own feet and making our own way is really the way of the future,� he said.
“It’s the partnerships that really make things happen.” For the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, partnerships are the big factor for responsible development. "It's the partnerships that really make things happen,” said Hon. John Rustad. He pointed to the example of the Haisla and District of Kitimat as two communities working together to see that projects are done right, and looking after the environment to see benefits flow to communities. He also notes the 62 pipeline benefit agreements in place in B.C. which cover more than 90 per cent of all needed agreements if every LNG project proposed moves ahead. It shows that communities and the province are at the table talking on how to move projects forward. "We must make sure that nations, communities see those benefits," he said. "It's an opportunity to really change lives...We need to find ways to make sure the benefits can flow." Seeing those benefits arrive partly comes from the provincial government’s $30 million commitment over three years to see training opportunities opened up for people to find work on these projects. "You have to do it right,” he said. "You have to make sure that environmentally you're looking after the land, you're looking after the water because those will be there for us and our future generations will need it."
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation John Rustad
"We need to take, or even make, opportunities for the sake of our nation.” Mayor Lori Ackerman has a lot of connections to Kitimat. Her mom was a registered nurse at the town’s former beach hospital, her parents married there, and she calls the community ‘Fort St. John’s downstream.’ That’s because the two communities are closely linked when it comes to developing the natural gas export industry, which will bring numerous benefits to her community and Kitimat’s.
Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman
"We believe in building communities,” said Ackerman, adding that these projects are done well with the involvement of local people. "When you have local people working in the industry they see an innovative idea,” she said. Making sure the LNG industry happens means better things for both Canada and for the world at large. "This is really leaving a lighter footprint," she said. "If we can get LNG off our North American grid then we can help our neighbours across the ocean decrease their emissions and in turn create a healthier environment." For the benefit of everyone’s communities she says an opportunity like LNG can’t be missed.
"We need to take, or even make, opportunities for the sake of our nation, for the sake of our province, for the sake of our communities."
It was an honour to host so many guests and speakers for the Nation2Nation Community Forum. Clockwise from top left: Haisla Chief Executive Officer Jason Majore welcoming people to Day One of the forum; Chief Jassee gives a welcome blessing to the event; Chief Councillor Ellis Ross shakes hands with LNG Canada CEO Andy Calitz; Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chairman of the Tsilhqot'in National Government; Chief Councillor Ross with BC Premier Christy Clark.
Attendees enjoyed numerous great speakers during the forum. Clockwise from top left: Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth making introductory remarks; BC Premier Christy Clark receiving a gift, with Haisla Nation Councillor Crystal Smith and Chief Councillor Ellis Ross; Chief Derek Orr of McLeod Lake Indian Band with Councillor Smith, and Deputy Chief Councillor Taylor Cross; Terrace Councillor Brian Downie, LNG Canada VP of External Affairs Susannah Pearce, and Nisga’a Pacific Ventures Limited Partnership CEO Harry Nyce; Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Bill Streeper.
The All Nations Team includes both staff and a group of talented associates. The Team collectively has decades of experience in creating successful, mutually beneficial relationships between First Nations, Industry and Government. Lisa Mueller is the CEO and owner of All Nations Consulting & Coaching. She is an aboriginal consultant, certified life coach, community builder and workshop facilitator. All Nations Consulting & Coaching provides consulting, coaching, community engagement, facilitation, event organization, business and project management and other services. Her focus is always on connecting and building more meaningful relationships within community. She is passionate about creating a platform for First Nations leaders to share their perspectives n economic development and major projects. To this end, Lisa and All Nations Consulting & Coaching launched the inaugural Nation2Nation Forum in November 2015 in Terrace and since then has launched several more N2N Events including luncheons and roundtables.
Lisa Mueller CEO All Nations Consulting & Coaching, Creator of Nation2Nation Events
Lisa is a storyteller from the Tl’etinqox First Nation (west of Williams Lake) with many years of experience in business ownership, personal development, coaching, relationship building and living a spiritual path. Born in Bella Coola, BC and raised in the Chilcotin, Lisa now calls the Northwest BC her home. She is a passionate outdoors person and lives for hiking, fishing and crabbing.
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