Expert analyses are clear that, for Canada to achieve its net-zero climate goals, we need to electrify. That means upgrading how we heat our homes, fuel our vehicles and fire up our industries so that they run on clean electricity instead of fossil fuels like natural gas, diesel and gasoline. But that, in turn, means growing our electricity supply – by most estimates in the order of two or three times.

Whether it’s wind, solar, hydro, nuclear or transmission lines, these big clean electricity projects will depend on consent from the Indigenous nations they touch. But why stop at consent? The goal of the Indigenous Electrification Strategy initiative is to build the capacity of Indigenous communities across Canada to take on strong leadership roles in these projects and to derive meaningful economic benefits from them.

As Niilo Edwards, the CEO of project partner First Nations Major Projects Coalition, says, “more opportunities for Indigenous leadership and participation not only helps advance reconciliation but also promises to speed up Canada’s electricity build out”.

In the first phase of this multi-year project, FNMPC and project partner Mokwateh, engaged with more than 150 Indigenous communities across Canada in order to draft the National Indigenous Electrification Strategy. The Strategy holds 19 recommendations for Governments & Regulators, 10 recommendations for Industry, and 16 recommendations for Indigenous Nations.

With phase two of the project, the partners aim to work with these key actors to get the recommendations adopted and advanced.