Indigenous Involvement in North America’s Energy Future: Respecting Rights through New Relationships

Join us on Thursday, October 25 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM for a high-level strategic dialogue to discuss the changing nature of relationships between energy companies, financial institutions and Indigenous Peoples in North American energy projects.

The forum will examine the motivating forces behind rapidly evolving Indigenous-industry relationships, including how constitutional rights, modern regulatory processes, legal precedents, stakeholder expectations, and a greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance factors that are disrupting and transforming North America’s energy future. We will speak directly to businesses and Indigenous leaders to learn about what is working and new areas of opportunity.

Event Agenda

Panel 1: Indigenous Relationships and Financier Risk in Energy Projects

• Olga Puntus, SVP Environmental and Social Risk Management, Wells Fargo & Company
• Brenden Hunter, Partner, Fasken; Member, Saddle Lake Cree Nation
• Gare Smith, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP
• Moderator: Liam Stone, Managing Director, Alberta Washington Office

Panel 2: Partnership with Indigenous People and the Government of Canada

• Corey Dekker, Secretariat Lead, Line 3 Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee, Natural Resources Canada
• Joe Daniels, Co- Chair, Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee, Member of the George Gordon First Nation
• Moderator: Laura Dawson, Director, Canada Institute

Panel 3: North American Case Studies: A Partnership between Indigenous People and Energy Companies

• Discussant: Ruslan Garipov, Scholar, Polar Initiative
• Moderator: Laura Dawson, Director, Canada Institute

Case Study 1: Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Program

• Roxanna Benoit, VP Public and Government Affairs, Enbridge
• Sheldon Wuttunee, CEO, Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Center of Excellence

Case Study 2: Suncor – Mikisew Cree First Nation – Fort McKay First Nation Equity Partnership

• Arlene Strom, Vice President, Sustainability & Communications, Suncor Energy Inc.
• Melody Lepine, Director, Mikisew Cree First Nation

Networking Reception

A networking reception for event participants hosted by the Embassy of Canada and the Alberta Washington Office will follow from 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Advanced RSVP is required to attend.
Reception Location: The Embassy of Canada, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001