Indigenous partnerships discussed at petroleum conference
The Williston Basin Petroleum Conference has returned to Regina after three years away due to the pandemic.
Over 400 people from around North America are in attendance at this year’s event.
“The concept of the conference is not just about oil and gas, it’s also about energy from the Earth, so it’s all the necessary things you need to make the sustainable energy production,” said Ranjith Narayanasamy, president and CEO of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC).
Day one of the two day conference included a keynote address from the premier and a roundtable discussion exploring Indigenous partnerships.
“After three years you’re going to see a lot of things changed, but also the technology has improved,” Narayanasamy said.
Chief Alvin Francis, Nekaneet First Nation, was one of the panelists in Tuesday’s roundtable and was advocating for employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.
He said while he can convince his young people to go to school, he needs partners to ensure a future in the industry.
“We’ve done our part in treaty, we’ve shared the land," he said. "So it’s now time to give back to us as the First Nations people because that’s the important part to be recognized.”
Francis hopes the discussion opened the minds of industry leaders at the event inspiring them to create a mentorship program and Indigenous policies.
“I would like to see joint venture partnerships signed and make sure that they all have an Indigenous policy and if they can create those within their own organizations, I think our words have meant something to them,” he explained.
The panel also discussed ways to enhance Indigenous partnerships, increase investment in Indigenous lead businesses, and create real change.
The First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) said Indigenous communities can play a meaningful part in industry partners achieving their goals of net zero by bringing Indigenous voices to the table, including those of women, young people and elders.
The FNPA is a member-based organization of 165 members across six different provinces.
“I think the FNPA is uniquely positioned to be able to offer Indigenous partnerships and collaboration with industry partnerships, so really we’re pressing the flesh over the next couple of days helping to build bridges between Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous communities,” said Guy Lonechild, CEO of the FNPA.
In addition to building bridges, Lonechild explained that it’s also about economic and environmental reconciliation.
“Saskatchewan has a real challenge ahead of it and we just want to be part of the solution as opposed to being part of the problem,” he said. “So we’re looking at helping to provide resources and investment to cleaner energy projects in Saskatchewan.”
Premier Scott Moe said Indigenous partnerships and leadership in the energy and resource sector is “absolutely vital.”
He said Saskatchewan has models of this at work in other sectors to use as reference.
“How are we going to grow our economy, but be inclusive, so that everyone is included ultimately in that growth,” he said, pointing to the Indigenous Finance Corporation.
Moe also said the industry has a bright few years ahead of it and Saskatchewan will be proud to produce some of the most sustainable energy in the world.
“This is exactly the industry that’s going to find our way to net zero in this province, in this nation and across North America,” Moe said.
Day two of the conference will commence on Wednesday as the discussions continue around carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), enhanced oil recovery, as well as helium and lithium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.