**First Nations Lead LNG Development in British Columbia**

The Nisga’a and Haisla First Nations in British Columbia are taking significant steps to shape their own futures through ownership of major projects. These initiatives are expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate revenue to support their communities. This approach is seen as a model for reconciliation, integrating First Nations into the provincial economy as leaders, providing benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

British Columbia is poised to become Canada’s leading supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia and the Pacific. The Haisla Nation is partnering with LNG Canada, which recently loaded its first cargo of LNG for Asian markets on July 1, 2025. The Haisla Nation plans to unveil its own floating LNG facility by 2028, having received provincial environmental approval in 2023 and a positive final investment decision expected in 2024.

Further north, the Ksi Lisims LNG project, co-developed by the Nisga’a, received approval from the province’s Environmental Assessment Office last month. This project is set to transform the north coast of British Columbia into Canada’s largest LNG export hub. The Nisga’a and Haisla Nations, having invested early in LNG, are well-positioned to benefit as competition grows to supply LNG to Asia.

The Ksi Lisims LNG project, located about 60 kilometers north of Prince Rupert, has also received federal approval under Canada’s streamlined review process for major projects. It is estimated to create up to 800 construction jobs and a permanent workforce of around 250 positions for 30 years, significantly boosting the local economy. Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga’a Lisims Government, stated, "This is what reconciliation looks like: A modern treaty Nation once on the sidelines of our economy, now leading a project that will help write the next chapter of a stronger, more resilient Canada."

To support the Ksi Lisims facility, the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline is being constructed. Co-owned by the Nisga’a and Western LNG, the project has made substantial progress, with 42 kilometers of right-of-way cleared, nine bridges built, and 47 kilometers of access roads completed. An investment of $70 million has been made in the first year of construction alone.

The Haisla’s Cedar LNG project aims to operate entirely on electricity generated by BC Hydro, making it one of the cleanest natural gas facilities globally. Haisla Chief Councillor Crystal Smith remarked, "With Cedar LNG, we are setting a new standard of responsible and sustainable energy development."

As Canada diversifies its trade relationships, there is a growing demand for LNG in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. These nations seek energy security amid increasing competition from China and the United States. Additionally, the rise of AI technologies, which require substantial energy, adds pressure to electric grids, highlighting the need for diverse energy sources. The developments led by the Nisga’a and Haisla Nations are crucial in meeting these energy demands while fostering economic growth in their communities.