WEBVTT 00:00:09.740 --> 00:00:13.160 Well, welcome back. Another episode of Drumbeats. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:17.379 And last time we had Chief Crystal Smith with 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:23.519 us, we spoke about growing up in Kitimat Village 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:27.960 and a bit about Haisla Nation's history of economic 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:33.719 and industrial development. And we're very happy 00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:36.179 and privileged to have Chief Crystal Smith back 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:38.679 with us again, Mark, and we're going to talk. 00:00:39.149 --> 00:00:43.210 in more detail now about Cedar LNG. Yes, welcome, 00:00:43.369 --> 00:00:45.109 Chief Crystal. Great to have you on the show 00:00:45.109 --> 00:00:46.829 again. Thank you very much. It was wonderful 00:00:46.829 --> 00:00:50.969 to speak with you on the previous podcast. So 00:00:50.969 --> 00:00:55.509 let's talk about Cedar LNG. Sounds good to me. 00:00:56.590 --> 00:00:58.609 And first off, I have to say congratulations 00:00:58.609 --> 00:01:02.189 on what a journey. I know the journey is maybe 00:01:02.189 --> 00:01:06.060 only just beginning. But to get to a positive 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:09.640 financial investment decision, it's fantastic 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:12.980 news. And so maybe you could tell us a little 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:15.599 bit about the journey and how you got to this 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:21.159 point. Cedar LNG has been about 10 to 12 years 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:25.459 in the making. It was an idea from one of our 00:01:25.459 --> 00:01:28.099 advisors and one of our... our good friends of 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:31.400 the Hazel Nation, that we had seen so many different 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:35.159 proposals coming in and the idea popped into 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:41.260 his mind that why doesn't the nation own one 00:01:41.260 --> 00:01:46.340 of the facilities and make it a reality? And 00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:50.920 we started from there. Our advisors at the time 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:55.060 took that as a part of a negotiation where they 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:58.640 felt it was beneficial to not build more infrastructure 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:03.849 in the province, however, utilize and... gain 00:02:03.849 --> 00:02:06.810 off of what was already being proposed so it 00:02:06.810 --> 00:02:10.590 became a part of a negotiation and we were successful 00:02:10.590 --> 00:02:14.969 in in obtaining 400 mmcf off of the coastal gas 00:02:14.969 --> 00:02:19.590 link project which feeds lng canada so essentially 00:02:19.590 --> 00:02:22.569 when lng canada and coastal gas link announced 00:02:22.569 --> 00:02:25.610 their positive final investment decisions the 00:02:25.610 --> 00:02:29.629 opportunity for cedar lng to become an actual 00:02:29.629 --> 00:02:33.370 reality the opportunity sat with the nation to 00:02:33.370 --> 00:02:37.509 make that happen. So over the years, we had started 00:02:37.509 --> 00:02:40.610 the preliminary work prior to LNG Canada announcing 00:02:40.610 --> 00:02:44.729 their FIDs so that when they were successful, 00:02:44.990 --> 00:02:47.750 that we would essentially hit the ground running 00:02:47.750 --> 00:02:51.310 as we knew that time was going to be of the essence 00:02:51.310 --> 00:02:55.000 to be able to make this a reality. So we sought 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.580 partnership because as an Indigenous community, 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:01.520 we knew that we didn't have the necessary skill 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:06.419 set when it came to the technologies and essentially 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:10.580 the capital that it would require to have Cedar 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:13.300 become successful. So we sought partnerships. 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:17.840 We didn't necessarily have Pembina right from 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:21.939 the beginning as a partner. We went through the 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:24.699 process and everything that happened during COVID 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:28.740 and the economy essentially impacted Cedar, much 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:30.979 like any other project that was being proposed 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:34.460 at the time. However, we were very fortunate 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:37.699 to be able to work through those issues. And 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:42.639 in 2021, I believe it was June or July of 2021, 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:46.680 we were happy to announce that we had formed 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:52.189 a partnership with... with Pemina and from there 00:03:52.189 --> 00:03:55.689 have worked very diligently to ensure that we 00:03:55.689 --> 00:03:59.509 were meeting all of the project's timelines and 00:03:59.509 --> 00:04:05.069 working through all the challenges. And we're 00:04:05.069 --> 00:04:09.710 very, very proud. I mean, it's been one roller 00:04:09.710 --> 00:04:13.259 coaster of an experience. I had been a large 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:16.019 part of LNG Canada and witnessing them getting 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:18.680 regular updates in terms of their project when 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:21.220 they were going through the process. So largely 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:24.379 knew what to expect in terms of some of the hurdles 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:28.639 that we were going to encounter and how it was 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.740 up and down. We'd have some very large wins within 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:37.139 the process. come up against a brick wall that 00:04:37.139 --> 00:04:39.920 would essentially and potentially call the project. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:43.980 So it was quite the experience. And we were supposed 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:49.660 to have announcements in December of 2023. However, 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:53.279 that got pushed to June. And I believe it was 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:58.240 June 25th or 26th, we were able to announce a 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.980 positive final investment decision here directly 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:04.709 in our community with our membership. My family 00:05:04.709 --> 00:05:08.149 right beside me. And I would like to understand 00:05:08.149 --> 00:05:10.629 a little bit more about exactly what Cedar LNG 00:05:10.629 --> 00:05:14.509 is and how your facility fits in with what LNG 00:05:14.509 --> 00:05:18.689 Canada is doing. And so maybe you could explain 00:05:18.689 --> 00:05:23.850 a little bit about that. So Cedar LNG is a facility 00:05:23.850 --> 00:05:27.350 that would be the first in Canada, if not North 00:05:27.350 --> 00:05:31.930 America. first floating LNG facility, which means 00:05:31.930 --> 00:05:35.850 it is built on a barge on the ship that will 00:05:35.850 --> 00:05:39.470 be anchored to the shore on the west side of 00:05:39.470 --> 00:05:42.170 the Douglas Channel. In terms of the economic 00:05:42.170 --> 00:05:45.910 and the business plan and business cases for 00:05:45.910 --> 00:05:50.209 LNG from Canada, it fits in with LNG Canada in 00:05:50.209 --> 00:05:54.089 terms of providing the world with LNG and to 00:05:54.089 --> 00:05:58.069 be able to offset a lot of the coal burning and 00:05:58.410 --> 00:06:01.329 other forms of energy that aren't necessarily 00:06:01.329 --> 00:06:10.149 as green as LNG. So how we were able to work 00:06:10.149 --> 00:06:13.410 with our community, the mandate that we had already 00:06:13.410 --> 00:06:17.110 received from our community in terms of supporting 00:06:17.110 --> 00:06:20.870 LNG Canada, it fits within our community's expectations 00:06:20.870 --> 00:06:25.790 and how they approved a commodity like LNG Canada. 00:06:26.350 --> 00:06:29.069 And was that a fierce debate within the community? 00:06:29.509 --> 00:06:35.529 It was a very long process. We took the engagement 00:06:35.529 --> 00:06:40.149 piece very strategically within our community 00:06:40.149 --> 00:06:43.930 by educating our members just as our elected 00:06:43.930 --> 00:06:47.430 leaders and our staff were being educated around 00:06:47.430 --> 00:06:52.290 the impacts and what to expect from an LNG plant. 00:06:52.589 --> 00:06:55.870 being operational in our territory. We had spent 00:06:55.870 --> 00:06:59.029 many hours with experts in our local facility 00:06:59.029 --> 00:07:03.170 but one important aspect that we took on was 00:07:03.170 --> 00:07:05.930 we have 2 ,000 Haisla members and they all don't 00:07:05.930 --> 00:07:08.579 reside within our community. So to ensure that 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:10.939 we were getting the full support of our membership, 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:14.079 we would do community engagement sessions here 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:19.459 locally, and then we would travel to hubs of 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:23.740 where they would reside. So we would take the 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:26.819 experts and all the information, and we would 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:30.540 travel to Vancouver to be able to give the same 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:34.000 information and the same education to our members, 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:37.360 regardless of where they resided. Lots of interesting 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:41.319 aspects of the development, and I'm sure part 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:44.699 of the message and engagement with the community 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:48.420 was around risks, environmental risks, financial 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:52.120 risks, as well as rewards. So I'm interested 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:55.839 in how that process and how did you sell this 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:59.259 as successfully as you did to the community? 00:08:00.490 --> 00:08:03.149 In terms of the impacts, I think around the education 00:08:03.149 --> 00:08:06.430 of Cedar LNG was essentially introducing the 00:08:06.430 --> 00:08:10.250 new technology that was being introduced. So 00:08:10.250 --> 00:08:13.110 a large part of these engagement sessions happened 00:08:13.110 --> 00:08:16.089 even before we had partners so that we could 00:08:16.089 --> 00:08:19.910 help educate our members and give them background 00:08:19.910 --> 00:08:30.990 information many years ago. on the newly formed 00:08:30.990 --> 00:08:35.389 board. And a part of our first decision -making 00:08:35.389 --> 00:08:39.070 was around the technologies and the discussion 00:08:39.070 --> 00:08:44.309 around having our Haisla values and the protection 00:08:44.309 --> 00:08:47.029 and importance of the environment felt throughout 00:08:47.029 --> 00:08:50.049 every decision that was being made by Cedar LNG 00:08:50.049 --> 00:08:54.450 and our future partners. So the first decisions 00:08:54.450 --> 00:08:57.490 that we made had large in part to do with the 00:08:57.490 --> 00:08:59.870 technology that we had chosen a floating facility 00:08:59.870 --> 00:09:03.710 as opposed to one that would be on land. We also 00:09:03.710 --> 00:09:07.490 decided that we were going to have an air -cooled 00:09:07.490 --> 00:09:09.769 system versus a water -cooled, which would then 00:09:09.769 --> 00:09:13.629 minimize the impacts on our Douglas Channel. 00:09:14.110 --> 00:09:18.629 And we went with electric drives versus gas -driven, 00:09:18.850 --> 00:09:22.309 which ultimately impacts the air quality here 00:09:22.309 --> 00:09:27.710 in our territory. those decisions would not be 00:09:27.710 --> 00:09:32.370 impacted by any type of discussion around returns 00:09:32.370 --> 00:09:34.690 that the nation would potentially see in the 00:09:34.690 --> 00:09:37.789 future. We felt it was important that this project 00:09:37.789 --> 00:09:41.649 was held to a higher standard and higher expectation 00:09:41.649 --> 00:09:46.129 given that it would be nation -owned and potentially 00:09:46.129 --> 00:09:48.929 the first of its kind in the world. So we felt 00:09:48.929 --> 00:09:51.350 that it was important that we held ourselves 00:09:51.350 --> 00:09:55.190 up to a much higher expectation level so that 00:09:55.190 --> 00:09:57.570 we could be proud to stand in front of our community 00:09:57.570 --> 00:10:02.049 and to talk and introduce more information about 00:10:02.049 --> 00:10:05.690 Cedar LNG. I think from that and relaying that 00:10:05.690 --> 00:10:08.309 information to our members, I believe gained 00:10:08.309 --> 00:10:11.990 the trust and the foundation that we had, given 00:10:11.990 --> 00:10:14.669 that we were going to be inserting our Haisla 00:10:14.669 --> 00:10:18.809 values throughout the entire process. When it 00:10:18.809 --> 00:10:21.169 came to choosing our partners, it was important 00:10:21.169 --> 00:10:24.269 that they acknowledge that We weren't going to 00:10:24.269 --> 00:10:28.490 be changing any aspect of the project given any 00:10:28.490 --> 00:10:30.830 discussion around revenue, potential revenues 00:10:30.830 --> 00:10:35.009 and the economic benefit. And when we chose Pemina 00:10:35.009 --> 00:10:39.870 as the partner, our values were extremely in 00:10:39.870 --> 00:10:43.690 alignment when it came to those discussions. 00:10:45.070 --> 00:10:47.570 With their expertise, we were able to further 00:10:47.570 --> 00:10:52.850 minimize impacts on the site and with the technologies 00:10:52.850 --> 00:10:55.330 that their expertise was able to bring to our 00:10:55.330 --> 00:10:59.350 partnership. So we've been working very diligently 00:10:59.350 --> 00:11:02.529 and closely and introducing them to our community 00:11:02.529 --> 00:11:06.049 and being able to express how those values were 00:11:06.049 --> 00:11:08.509 in alignment and the work that they were bringing 00:11:08.509 --> 00:11:11.210 to the partnership tremendously added value. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:15.440 And I would say solidified that stability within 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:18.980 not only our community, but within the province 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:24.340 and within Canada. So every aspect of the project 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:30.299 as we moved it forward, one of the main hurdles 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:35.820 that our team encountered was around our equity 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:41.519 raise and that portion. A large, all of our equity 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:45.200 is being brought to the table through the First 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:48.399 Nations finance. Through their process, they 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:52.759 required a community referendum. which required 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:56.740 us to do a very focused strategic engagement 00:11:56.740 --> 00:12:00.700 session. And we did that through a process where 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:05.379 we had community sessions here in community. 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:09.980 We held that one online as well so that if you 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:13.360 couldn't make any of the other sessions that... 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:18.240 you were able to attend virtually and ask all 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:21.379 questions. Those sessions were very well attended 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:24.980 by our membership. Amazing, amazing questions 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:29.500 and the feedback and the thoughts that our members 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:34.139 came with were absolutely tremendous. It was 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:38.710 the most strategic and thorough. engagement session 00:12:38.710 --> 00:12:41.929 that I've seen yet in all of my 11 years so far 00:12:41.929 --> 00:12:46.769 here with the nation. And the feedback was a 00:12:46.769 --> 00:12:49.990 positive blessing from our community for us to 00:12:49.990 --> 00:12:54.149 take on the equity and to be able to have our 00:12:54.149 --> 00:12:56.990 portion of the finance to see they're successful 00:12:56.990 --> 00:13:02.710 with a 97 % vote from our membership. So I think 00:13:02.710 --> 00:13:05.659 one of the... You know, interesting things is 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:09.779 you were a community and nation ready to engage 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:12.320 with investors and other partners. And you spent 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.580 a lot of time, as you mentioned, looking at the 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:18.000 technology, talking about your values. Who are 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.059 you working with through that process? Because 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:23.720 that really laid the groundwork for the successful, 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:29.639 I guess, launch of Cedar LNG. So would you mean 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:35.070 like who assisted us through that? purely a nation 00:13:35.070 --> 00:13:40.169 initiative. We had been through a lot of community 00:13:40.169 --> 00:13:43.110 engagement sessions and our experience with LNG 00:13:43.110 --> 00:13:48.690 Canada. So we had that responsibility for our 00:13:48.690 --> 00:13:51.590 leadership and also a few of our staff members 00:13:51.590 --> 00:13:55.710 that our prime focus and a lot of our time and 00:13:55.710 --> 00:13:58.870 a lot of our effort, we gained the knowledge 00:13:58.870 --> 00:14:03.629 through our staff to be able to have these conversations 00:14:03.629 --> 00:14:08.629 with our membership. And then as Pemina was brought 00:14:08.629 --> 00:14:11.429 on, we would then introduce them to our community 00:14:11.429 --> 00:14:15.029 and have a couple of sessions where they would 00:14:15.029 --> 00:14:18.230 come in and provide the other technical pieces 00:14:18.230 --> 00:14:22.149 of changing of the design of the facilities on 00:14:22.149 --> 00:14:25.769 land and how we were working towards minimizing 00:14:25.769 --> 00:14:28.669 even further. So they would come and provide 00:14:28.669 --> 00:14:31.149 that expertise through the engagement sessions. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.519 I think it's really interesting that this was 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:37.700 a Haisla Nation -led initiative from concept 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:41.120 and then right through. This was not a case of 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:44.740 Pembina or any other company coming to you and 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:46.639 saying, we want to build this facility, will 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:50.919 you support us? You set the parameters and the 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:53.419 specifications based on your community engagement, 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:57.559 and those conditions had to be satisfied by any 00:14:57.559 --> 00:15:01.240 partner coming in. I'm interested in what the 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.419 structure looks like with Pembina. It's close 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:06.679 to 50 -50, I know. But can you tell us a little 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:10.200 bit about how CDAR -LNG is structured as a partnership 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:14.500 and how you expect it to be governed going forward? 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:20.480 So your statements in terms of how we were able 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:23.960 to bring... this to industry and have them be 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:27.620 a part of the work that we were completing here 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:32.200 in our territory. We knew that going in that 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:35.980 we wanted to maintain majority ownership. In 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:38.759 regards to the Indigenous participation, I think 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:43.980 too far off than not, a lot of communities would 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:48.419 see a reverse in terms of actively participating 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:53.299 where they would have you know, a stake within 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:58.360 major projects and then find some way along as 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.620 the project progresses, a lot of dilution in 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:05.120 the sense of that ownership piece when projects 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:08.419 progress for whatever circumstance, whatever 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:12.179 reason it has happened. However, we knew that 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:16.720 it was important and it was a key factor in us 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:20.549 maintaining majority ownership. So in the proposals, 00:16:20.590 --> 00:16:23.669 part of the decisions and the makeup of Cedar, 00:16:23.750 --> 00:16:27.289 that was, if not the most important key piece. 00:16:28.350 --> 00:16:32.850 We did not want to get lost in being an Indigenous 00:16:32.850 --> 00:16:38.330 community, very small in the sense of having 00:16:38.330 --> 00:16:42.289 any partner come in and being able to kind of 00:16:42.289 --> 00:16:48.259 dwindle our stake in the project away. Again, 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:52.100 as a foundation of having our values driven into 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:55.299 Cedar, it was important for us to have that majority 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:58.960 ownership, thus having representation in a decision 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:02.600 -making body. So our governance structure is 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:06.460 actually a 50 -50 as well. The way we're able 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:12.599 to make the success of it is the decisions for 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:17.680 the project. have to be unanimous. We are appointed 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:20.299 as from our elected leadership to sit on the 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:23.799 board of Cedar LNG. We do have a responsibility. 00:17:24.809 --> 00:17:28.230 to be bringing decisions back to the entire elected 00:17:28.230 --> 00:17:31.589 leadership, as does Pembina in terms of their 00:17:31.589 --> 00:17:35.569 responsibility to the Pembina board. So we have 00:17:35.569 --> 00:17:37.970 it within our governance structures to be able 00:17:37.970 --> 00:17:42.410 to bring the necessary information back to our 00:17:42.410 --> 00:17:44.650 collective leadership and then come together 00:17:44.650 --> 00:17:47.490 with decisions that are essentially a part of 00:17:47.490 --> 00:17:50.569 the mandate from their board and our council. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:53.799 And you've established a new economic development 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:57.940 corporation, I see, just this year. Is that how 00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:00.180 you hold the interest in the partnership through 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:04.019 that development corporation? It would be, so 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:08.279 we have established it's Iaqua Development Corp, 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.079 which means in our language, working together. 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:15.019 So they are newly formed as of April 1st. It's 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:18.019 a flow and it's a working relationship between 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:20.279 Haisla Nation Council and Iaqua Development. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:26.140 So in partnership between our two entities, we 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:29.670 have each have responsibility. within that structure. 00:18:30.190 --> 00:18:35.170 A lot of the ECDEV files, which would entail 00:18:35.170 --> 00:18:38.470 the CEDAR entities, have moved to YACWA. However, 00:18:38.650 --> 00:18:41.950 maintaining the rights and title has remained 00:18:41.950 --> 00:18:44.470 with Haisa Nation Council and our elected leadership. 00:18:44.890 --> 00:18:47.730 So there's a process that we have implemented, 00:18:47.990 --> 00:18:51.009 but it's very much in partnership as well. And 00:18:51.009 --> 00:18:55.029 I'm curious also, you've gone for an equity participation, 00:18:55.450 --> 00:18:58.799 a majority equity. Participation, that comes 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:03.500 with risks as well as rewards. How have you de 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:07.160 -risked this project for your community? You 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:09.380 mentioned that First Nations Financial Authority 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:14.859 has provided financing. I assume that's some 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:17.519 form of debt and that's debt for the community. 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:20.660 How have you de -risked the financial arrangements? 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:26.900 And de -risking the financial aspect when it 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:30.039 comes to the nation was definitely a process 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:33.930 that we undertook in working closely with. other 00:19:33.930 --> 00:19:37.529 levels of government. We're fortunate to have 00:19:37.529 --> 00:19:40.009 the established relationships with the province 00:19:40.009 --> 00:19:43.690 of BC leadership as well as the federal government. 00:19:44.009 --> 00:19:47.650 So the announcement of the loan guarantee program 00:19:47.650 --> 00:19:53.990 from the feds was absolutely important in terms 00:19:53.990 --> 00:19:58.150 of the work that we were completing. And the 00:19:58.150 --> 00:20:02.269 same with the province of BC. being able to take 00:20:02.269 --> 00:20:05.930 what they've seen in terms of the importance 00:20:05.930 --> 00:20:09.970 of Indigenous participation and putting it to 00:20:09.970 --> 00:20:15.369 action is definitely one that was important, 00:20:15.509 --> 00:20:19.490 is important to the Haisla Nation. So in terms 00:20:19.490 --> 00:20:23.190 of de -risking, working with other levels of 00:20:23.190 --> 00:20:26.089 government to be able to ensure that our nation 00:20:27.369 --> 00:20:29.609 was protected through this process while contributing 00:20:29.609 --> 00:20:32.910 to the economics of not only the province, but 00:20:32.910 --> 00:20:36.670 of Canada was of huge value and importance to 00:20:36.670 --> 00:20:40.930 not only our elected leadership, but more so 00:20:40.930 --> 00:20:44.950 of our membership. What are the key learnings 00:20:44.950 --> 00:20:49.230 you think for other investors and potential partners 00:20:49.230 --> 00:20:52.170 looking to work with Indigenous nations across 00:20:52.170 --> 00:20:54.170 the country? You know, they're coming into the 00:20:54.170 --> 00:20:57.200 market. They've heard all kinds of things. This 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.460 is obviously a great success story. What advice 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:02.680 would you be giving them about how to approach 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:06.380 these opportunities? I think when I did, and 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:09.079 I've mentioned it in every aspect, you know, 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:12.299 I'm very fortunate to hold this title through 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:15.799 the success that our nation has seen. But without 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:18.339 our membership, there is no way that I would 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.599 have, our nation would have the ability to see 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:25.009 the success. without the backing of them and 00:21:25.009 --> 00:21:28.750 their mandate is absolutely crucial and vital 00:21:28.750 --> 00:21:31.890 to any type of economic initiative that any community 00:21:31.890 --> 00:21:37.150 is undertaking. I think a large part of the sensationalism 00:21:37.150 --> 00:21:40.630 that unfortunately the world has seen is due 00:21:40.630 --> 00:21:45.470 to that portion of the puzzle missing within 00:21:45.470 --> 00:21:48.890 certain communities. And that's not always the 00:21:48.890 --> 00:21:53.319 case. We have communities such as ours that that 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:55.579 support industrial development because they've 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:58.940 seen what the potential is. So I think getting 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:02.640 the backing of not just the leadership that's 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:05.200 sitting in front of you, but more importantly, 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:07.759 getting the backing of the membership that make 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:11.740 up that community that it's impacting is a vital 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:14.740 key piece in the success that we've been able 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:18.039 to see here. And when you're going through your 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:20.420 list of potential partners and working through 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:24.359 it, RFP process or some other process, did you 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:28.859 find that some investors really didn't get what 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:31.559 you were trying to achieve? Most definitely. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:35.180 I remember those meetings very vividly and we 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:37.720 went down to Vancouver. Our leadership had been 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:40.359 down in Vancouver for a week looking through 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:45.579 proposals and not one came back that was similar, 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:48.440 that was the same. There was some key pieces 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:53.119 that you that you looked at that were in alignment 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:57.119 with our values. But I remember one specifically 00:22:57.119 --> 00:23:03.000 that had come into the boardroom in Vancouver 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.619 and had essentially pushed the economic aspect 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:10.019 and was telling us if you do not change the technology, 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:12.559 the revenues project would not be successful 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:16.890 and telling us that, you know, the bottom. line 00:23:16.890 --> 00:23:20.009 was more important than our environment, essentially, 00:23:20.150 --> 00:23:24.289 in this project. And I think we had allotted 00:23:24.289 --> 00:23:28.410 at least three hours for the conversations to 00:23:28.410 --> 00:23:35.390 occur. And within a half hour, I had seen that 00:23:35.390 --> 00:23:38.809 conversation and that opinion was not going to 00:23:38.809 --> 00:23:42.869 change. And I had seen and felt the tension. 00:23:43.390 --> 00:23:47.509 rising within the room and had said, you know, 00:23:47.529 --> 00:23:51.089 there's no point in continuing this conversation 00:23:51.089 --> 00:23:56.750 if that opinion and that mindset and that approach 00:23:56.750 --> 00:23:59.690 isn't going to change. And I said, I think we 00:23:59.690 --> 00:24:04.369 can cut this meeting short. Thank you for coming 00:24:04.369 --> 00:24:07.809 and thank you for responding. And they had left 00:24:07.809 --> 00:24:11.710 the room. And I think to much of our team's surprise 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:18.579 having it cut short. It was interesting, again, 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.920 to be sitting as an Indigenous community, being 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:24.599 able to choose our partner based on what we felt 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:28.480 was important. I think it was quite the experience 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:33.140 to have a multi -million dollar investor walk 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:37.279 out of the room. I'm sure in any project like 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:40.490 that, Indigenous or not. to be able to have the 00:24:40.490 --> 00:24:43.150 leadership say, listen, we just don't think you're 00:24:43.150 --> 00:24:45.849 aligned with our values and why waste the time? 00:24:45.910 --> 00:24:49.509 I'm sure they're reflecting on that today. Rob. 00:24:51.069 --> 00:24:55.549 How about the bigger vision, Chief Crystal? Have 00:24:55.549 --> 00:24:58.650 you started to see some impacts, positive or 00:24:58.650 --> 00:25:02.670 otherwise, in your community already? I know 00:25:02.670 --> 00:25:06.650 you're some time away from first exports, but... 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:10.140 Are you already seeing some positive impacts? 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:13.519 And what is the bigger vision? Again, we're very 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:17.599 fortunate to have gone through LNG Canada's process 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:21.039 of construction. The industry has been in our 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:24.420 territory for well over 12 years now. And to 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:27.079 be able to see and witness the impact that it's 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:30.559 having on the ground has been absolutely the 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:33.299 highlight of me being a part of our leadership. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:37.299 A huge focus of mine is changing. the lives of 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:40.579 our people and the quality of their lives. And 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:43.380 to be able to see that come to fruition has definitely 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:48.420 won that. Gives me inspiration to get out of 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:51.160 bed and to accomplish the things that we've done. 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:54.480 It keeps me going in the most difficult times. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:58.079 I find it absolutely amazing to see. And it's 00:25:58.079 --> 00:26:00.880 through, you know, posts on social media. It's 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:04.460 through talking to our members in the grocery 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.920 store of hearing what they're experiencing because 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:10.099 of the opportunity they've been provided. You 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:12.279 know, getting messages saying I was successful 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:15.579 in getting a mortgage. Thank you for you and 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:17.619 the rest of council for providing this opportunity. 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:20.559 Those are meaningful, absolutely meaningful. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:23.319 And being able to see our people, you know, explore 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:26.440 the world for the first time in traveling abroad 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:31.759 and doing and being independent. You know, more 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:35.859 importantly, I'm seeing. an uptake in our culture 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:40.599 and revitalization of our language. And I explained 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:42.839 in the earlier podcast that I have an identical 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:48.500 twin sister and she's our language and culture 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:51.720 teacher in our local community school. And to 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:54.680 hear her send voice recordings of her speaking 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:59.220 fluently in Haisla is absolutely one that I can, 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:04.140 an emotional impact that I often find. hard to 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:07.400 put into words. It's absolutely tremendous to 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:12.279 see her and hear her singing a lullaby in Haisla 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:15.859 to our grandsons. So I am definitely seeing the 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:20.140 impacts. it was a need for why we, why we supported 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:23.019 these projects. So most definitely. And I think 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:27.299 when it comes to Cedar, that is yet to be remained 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:32.160 to be seen. We are, are currently starting the 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:36.519 works on, on site. So I'm, I'm anticipating that 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:39.000 we're going to see an uptake in, in employment 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:41.980 opportunities on site. So definitely looking 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:46.380 forward to, to seeing that. I think, you know, 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:51.400 it's, One important piece is the success of other 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:54.299 Indigenous communities. I think being able to 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:57.000 accomplish something like CEDAR for our nation, 00:27:57.079 --> 00:28:01.480 I think has set the foundation in terms of displaying 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:04.900 to not only Canadians, but to the world that 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:07.680 Indigenous communities can be a large part of 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:10.519 the success in our economies. We're no longer 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:14.259 a barrier. In fact, we are a solution. to be 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:16.880 able to have the success that our country has 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:20.000 seen so far. So when you have Indigenous communities 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:24.059 be a large part of your projects and proposals, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:28.519 it will be successful. For other communities 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:32.720 looking to Haisla, other Indigenous nations and 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.579 peoples, and consider moving forward with their 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:37.119 own projects, you spoke before about the importance 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:40.019 of getting everybody on site. Is there some other 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:42.240 aspects of that that you'd really like to... 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:46.400 emphasize for learnings for them as well? I think 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:49.880 one of the key highlights of CEDAR as well in 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:52.299 regards to some of the first decisions that we 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:55.140 made, we also made the decision that we would 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:58.240 actively involve Indigenous communities that 00:28:58.240 --> 00:29:01.000 surround our nation to be able to share in the 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:04.200 opportunities that our people have seen so far. 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:08.559 I often talked about with our leadership and 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:10.819 with our membership around the economies that 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:13.359 existed between our communities prior to contact, 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:17.740 that we've all coexisted in our territories in 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:20.480 terms of what we could culturally provide one 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:23.539 another. And to be able to have the opportunity 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:26.619 in the modern day context through major projects, 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:31.140 it's an important factor, but it's also one that 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:33.559 gives me huge pride to be able to have and say 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:38.529 that. We've been very inclusive and have done 00:29:38.529 --> 00:29:42.430 our own reconciliation work with our neighboring 00:29:42.430 --> 00:29:44.750 nations and being able to provide that opportunity 00:29:44.750 --> 00:29:47.769 as well. So I think in terms of keeping your 00:29:47.769 --> 00:29:52.069 people along for the journey of your economic 00:29:52.069 --> 00:29:54.829 development, I think it's important to keep in 00:29:54.829 --> 00:29:58.130 mind Indigenous communities that surround you 00:29:58.130 --> 00:30:01.650 and keep them in mind for this journey as well 00:30:01.650 --> 00:30:04.440 to be able to have them a part. of your success 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:11.579 is, is a huge, is a huge win. Great. Well, thank 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:14.220 you very much for that, Chief Crystal. I think 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:17.799 any, any of us and Rob, you know, both you and 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:20.160 I live in the UK and, you know, those are the 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:23.559 words that anybody in any community wants to 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.900 hear, that their leadership is concerned for 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:28.700 them and for their neighbours. That's what makes 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:31.640 a great place to live and, you know, provides 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:36.829 prosperity. for all. So Rob, any final thoughts? 00:30:37.170 --> 00:30:40.809 Well, I just want to thank Chief Crystal Smith 00:30:40.809 --> 00:30:44.470 for spending some time with us today, but also 00:30:44.470 --> 00:30:47.230 for what she's doing, the inspiration that she 00:30:47.230 --> 00:30:51.990 is for Indigenous people, non -Indigenous people. 00:30:52.890 --> 00:30:56.470 It's fantastic. You're showing what is possible 00:30:56.470 --> 00:31:00.450 when things are done properly, and you've shown 00:31:00.450 --> 00:31:04.970 how to get the community. And I think that it's 00:31:04.970 --> 00:31:09.349 an inspiration to investors as well, because 00:31:09.349 --> 00:31:12.730 it's proof that it is possible to do big projects 00:31:12.730 --> 00:31:16.130 with Indigenous communities if you go about it 00:31:16.130 --> 00:31:20.049 the right way. So I'll say on behalf of all of 00:31:20.049 --> 00:31:22.990 us, nyawa ngoa. Thank you very much. Thank you. 00:31:24.109 --> 00:31:26.750 Cedar LNG is the first for an Indigenous community, 00:31:27.029 --> 00:31:29.859 Canada and the world. Here are the key takeaways. 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:33.799 So I think the key thing from point of view from 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:39.079 investors, asset managers, and large enterprises 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:42.119 over here in the city of London listening to 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:47.559 Chief Crystal was the story that the indigenous 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:50.880 peoples in Canada are not willing to be partners 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:54.299 in development is incorrect. Of course, what 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:57.140 they want to have is their... recognition of 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.880 their values and that they have a stake at the 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:01.299 table. And I think one of the interesting things 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:06.480 is they now control access to many of the key 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:09.799 infrastructure and natural resources in Canada, 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:14.460 but they're willing partners. And if you approach 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:17.900 them as a willing and equal partner, I think 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.980 you can be very successful with your investment 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:24.160 and know that it's a long -term play you're in, 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:26.390 which is great. That's what you're looking for. 00:32:27.190 --> 00:32:29.250 Investing in an asset that provides a consistent 00:32:29.250 --> 00:32:33.269 return over time. And with Cedar LNG, you can 00:32:33.269 --> 00:32:36.210 see Pembina is very lucky to have partnered with 00:32:36.210 --> 00:32:39.829 the Haisla Nation because they're in that for 00:32:39.829 --> 00:32:41.869 the long haul together. And I think that's going 00:32:41.869 --> 00:32:44.890 to be a very successful project for all the factors 00:32:44.890 --> 00:32:48.589 those two partners can't control. Yeah, it was 00:32:48.589 --> 00:32:51.529 really interesting hearing about the story of 00:32:51.529 --> 00:32:55.920 how Cedar LNG came about. And it is evidence 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:59.940 that not all Indigenous communities are against 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:03.579 development. To understand that this was a Haisla 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:06.460 -led project from the outset, from the concept 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:16.160 right through, was good to hear. Also lessons 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:20.519 about how to go about engaging. You heard Chief 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:25.910 talk about... Lots of engagement in the territory, 00:33:26.109 --> 00:33:28.549 outside the territory. They spent a lot of time 00:33:28.549 --> 00:33:31.309 making sure that their members understood exactly 00:33:31.309 --> 00:33:34.750 what was being proposed, the risks as well as 00:33:34.750 --> 00:33:40.609 the rewards. So a real inspiration and a lesson 00:33:40.609 --> 00:33:45.369 in how to get projects done and get them done 00:33:45.369 --> 00:33:48.630 in an environmentally friendly way with massive 00:33:48.630 --> 00:33:55.549 local community support. Yes, absolutely. So 00:33:55.549 --> 00:34:00.029 everyone, our podcast is on YouTube, Spotify, 00:34:00.589 --> 00:34:04.690 Amazon Music. Please subscribe and follow us. 00:34:04.829 --> 00:34:09.590 And we're having an upcoming newsletter to highlight 00:34:09.590 --> 00:34:12.989 future podcasts, talk about some of these issues 00:34:12.989 --> 00:34:17.150 in more detail with some further background information. 00:34:17.570 --> 00:34:19.730 Absolutely, Mark. Look forward to it.