FNCI showcases Indigenous-led projects driving Canada’s clean-energy economy, redefining ownership and opportunity so the next generation can lead it
The Respective Territories of the Haisla Nation, Nisga’a Nation, Metlakatla First Nation and Halfway River First Nation, November 4, 2025 – The First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI) will join the
Government of Canada’s official delegation to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to highlight how Indigenous Nations in northern British Columbia are turning Canada’s clean-energy transition into real-world results—linking climate action, economic growth and youth leadership to build a low-carbon future.
FNCI—a coalition of Indigenous governments and policy leaders—and its partner Nations are helping shape a broaderIndigenous-led clean-energy transition across northern B.C. Through their policy leadership and collaboration, they’re supporting more than $60 billion in Indigenous-owned and partnered clean-energy, transmission and restoration projects — including major developments led by FNCI member Nations. Together, these investments are reshaping Canada’s low-carbon economy and demonstrating how Indigenous leadership is driving growth and decarbonization in tandem.
Flagship projects across northern B.C. highlight this progress. The Haisla Nation and Nisga’a First Nation are developing new net-zero energy infrastructure and export capacity, while the Halfway River Nation is leading large-scale restoration and nature-based solutions. These efforts strengthen local economies, creating skilled jobs and demonstrating how Indigenous leadership is redefining Canada’s energy future.
That global leadership now extends to the next generation. FNCI is in Spain this month alongside an Indigenous youth delegationand K’uul Power — an Indigenous-led energy partnership established through FNCI’s advocacy and seed funding, and still supported through its ongoing collaboration. There, the youth delegation is learning with K’uul Power’s international partners co-developing wind projects in northern B.C. The visit demonstrates how international collaboration can strengthen Indigenous ownership at home and prepare young leaders to continue this work. At COP30, FNCI will share how these efforts are turning vision into action: restoring land, generating low-carbon power and ensuring the next generation inherits both ownership and opportunity.
FNCI will emphasize that these outcomes—once theoretical—are now real. They reflect years of policy work and collaboration that built the foundation for today’s energy transition—a model uniting climate action, economic resilience and Indigenous ownership that Canada is only now adopting at scale.
Today, Indigenous Nations are already building the low-carbon energy systems, transmission links and restoration projects that others are only beginning to plan. These initiatives equip young people with the skills needed to lead the next phase of Canada’s energy economy, providing a practical, sustainable and achievable example of what a just transition and prosperous future could look like.
FNCI’s goals at COP30 are to:
- Share how Nations are building a new generation of Indigenous climate leaders by engaging youth in restoration and clean-energy training, connecting them to global partnerships and preparing them to operate, manage and develop future projects.
- Demonstrate how Indigenous-led and partnered projects, totaling more than $60 billion in real investment, are already producing climate and economic results in northern B.C.
- Highlight the progress of Indigenous nature-based solutions projects that are restoring ecosystems and strengthening carbon sinks across traditional territories in B.C.
- Showcase growing global partnerships as a model for strengthening Indigenous ownership at home.
- Encourage federal and provincial governments to further align policies and investments with projects already advancing under Indigenous leadership, scaling what works and securing Canada’s climate competitiveness.
Quotes
Darlene Hunter, elected Chief, Halfway River First Nation (FNCI Nation), First Nations Climate Initiative delegation
“Climate action begins with taking care of the land that takes care of us. For decades, Halfway River has seen development degrade our territory. Now we’re restoring what was lost and teaching our youth how to protect it for the future.
The work we’re doing isn’t just about projects or programs—it’s about balance. When we restore the land, we restore our people’s connection to it. And by giving young people a hand in that work, we’re making sure that that balance lasts, for our communities and for the generations still to come.”
Maureen Nyce, elected Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation (FNCI Nation)
“Indigenous Nations are proving what’s possible through Indigenous-led low-carbon energy development. These projects are delivering jobs, advancing low-carbon energy security for Canada’s trading partners and generating measurable climate benefits—demonstrating that reconciliation and economic growth can move forward together.
As these developments move from planning to construction and export, they’re anchoring Indigenous leadership firmly within Canada’s energy transition.”
Chief Wes Sam, Ts’il kaz Koh First Nation, and Chair, K’uul Power
“First Nations are working together as K’uul Power to build the backbone of the green economy starting with the North Coast Transmission Line and several wind projects. And we are involving our youth directly in the negotiations and the development process because they are the next generation of leaders.”
About First Nations Climate Initiative
The First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI) is an Indigenous-led collaborative forum dedicated to fighting climate change; alleviating First Nations’ poverty; restoring ecosystems in First Nations’ traditional territories; and, enabling Indigenous people to be leading actors in the decarbonized economy. By bringing together First Nations, other governments, climate experts, industry and other key stakeholders, FNCI is accelerating the development of climate solutions for B.C. and Canada, and growing economic opportunities for First Nations.
FNCI was founded in 2019 by the Haisla Nation, Metlakatla First Nation and Nisga’a Nation. In 2022, Halfway River became a signatory to the Initiative. The FNCI invites participation from all First Nations—and all others—who share its vision. For more information, visit https://fnci.ca.
