A new location accommodated the ever-growing, 9th annual Nation 2 Nation forum, an even where first nations, industry leaders, government and stakeholders converge for panels, speeches and workshops; focusing on economic development and collaboration.
In previous years, the event was held at the Thornhill Community Centre. The event had been noticeably packed the past couple of years. This year’s new location at the the Kitimat Riverlodge afforded significantly more seating and elbow room, accommodating the sizeable attendance.
Community tours, networking, food, and cultural programming are also incorporated in the three-day agenda, this year all centered in the Kitimat area, including tours of Gitga’at, Haisla Nation, Rio Tinto, and LNG Canada.
The forum aims to foster meaningful conversations about Indigenous-led projects and opportunities in sectors like natural gas, mining, and energy.
This year’s forum was minister-heavy, including an opening from Skeena MLA Claire Rattée, and a speech and visit from MLA Rajan Sawhney, Alberta’s minster of Indigenous relations. Her main message addressed Alberta’s recent pipeline proposition, which would see a new bitumen pipeline to that ran from Northern Alberta through to BC’s north coast.
Sawhney said the proposition is far from consultation phases, and the early feasibility study is just that.
She said an application process is underway but that the plan is currently merely conversations.
She promised that herself and Alberta acknowledge the lack of Indigenous consultation there has been in the past, and is committed to appropriately consulting on this project.
Sawhney said Alberta is open to Indigenous ownership in the proposed project and referred to the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation.
MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley Ellis Ross was another speaker; he highlighted an interest in lifting BC’s tanker moratorium for what he said was the necessity of industry, and also said the industrial carbon tax needs to go, as the direct impact to taxpayer’s cost of living will only increase.
The three-day forum wraps up today, with a visit and speech also expected from Premier David Eby.