
How the Haisla Nation became a model for Indigenous-led economic development
Article content
Article content
Can you share the Haisla Nation's vision for economic self-determination and how that has evolved over the years?
Article content
Article content
Article content
Our involvement in economic development started with a desire to no longer sit on the sidelines. Historically, major projects like aluminum smelters, pulp mills, and methanol facilities were built in our territory without our say — or benefit. We watched as others gained generational wealth while our people lived in poverty.
Article content
Thanks to leadership like Ellis Ross, we began learning everything about Aboriginal rights and title to leverage that knowledge. When I joined leadership in 2013, we focused on identifying acceptable projects. LNG emerged as the most vital opportunity, and our partnership with LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink was the beginning of something meaningful. It evolved into our own project — Cedar LNG — giving us not just participation but ownership.
Article content
What does 'success' mean to you and your community — economically, socially, and culturally?
Article content
Success is having a strong, independent nation with people who are mentally and spiritually strong — and who have opportunity. Since 2015, revenues from industry have helped us invest in healing from generational trauma and, perhaps most importantly, in revitalizing our culture and language.
Article content
What were the key factors that allowed the Haisla Nation to become a leader in LNG development?
Article content
One of the biggest was our use of Aboriginal rights and title case law. It gave us the legal grounding to protect our rights and assert our place in decision-making. We also built strong partnerships — not just with companies, but internally, by involving our own people with the technical expertise to evaluate projects on our terms.
Article content
Our people are always thinking seven generations ahead. Environmental concerns were top of mind. We hosted countless information sessions and brought in third-party experts — but what really mattered was having our own Haisla people, like Candice Wilson with a Masters in Environmental Sciences, review and explain the information in a way our members could trust.
Article content
In many ways. One of our proudest achievements is investing $5 million of our own-source revenue into a cultural and language department — the first of its kind for us. It employs 20 people who document and teach our culture. My twin sister is one of them, and hearing her sing in our language to our grandsons makes this work worth it.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Globe and Mail
26 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Blockmate Launches Bitcoin Treasury Division in Line with 'Mine-and-Hold' Strategy
TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blockmate Ventures Inc. (TSX.V: MATE) (OTCQB: MATEF) (FSE: 8MH) ('Blockmate' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated Bitcoin treasury division, further aligning its corporate strategy with a long-term belief in the value of Bitcoin. The division has already been established, with secure wallet infrastructure in place and an initial purchase of one Bitcoin completed. This initiative reflects Blockmate's conviction that Bitcoin will play an increasingly important role as a strategic treasury asset for companies focused on preserving value and managing risk. This development complements Blockmate's existing operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, Blockmate Mining, which is pursuing a 'mine-and-hold' strategy aimed at accumulating Bitcoin on its balance sheet as operations scale. As announced on May 27, 2025, Blockmate Mining has secured a site with electricity costs of just USD 3.3 cents per kilowatt-hour — among the most competitive rates in North America. Once fully developed, the facility is expected to support up to 200 megawatts (MW) of mining infrastructure. While Blockmate does not currently own mining hardware to fully utilize this capacity, this figure represents the long-term potential of the site. For illustrative purposes only, based on current Bitcoin prices and network difficulty, a fully utilized 200MW site could generate approximately 200 Bitcoin per month. Similarly, under current market conditions, the site could support Bitcoin mining at an estimated 40% discount to the prevailing spot price. These estimates are subject to change based on network conditions, hardware availability, electricity pricing, and the market price of Bitcoin. There is no assurance that these conditions will remain favorable or that Blockmate will be able to achieve these projections. Justin Rosenberg, CEO of Blockmate Ventures, commented: 'Holding Bitcoin on Blockmate's balance sheet provides capital growth opportunities for shareholders, as well as liquidity options should Blockmate Mining or future investees seek to take advantage of elevated Bitcoin market prices. These scenarios represent a win-win, enabling the Company to realize value through both operational success and treasury appreciation.' As the Bitcoin market continues to evolve and Blockmate Mining progresses, the Company will regularly assess further treasury purchases to enhance balance sheet agility in parallel with its mine-and-hold strategy. The price of Bitcoin is highly volatile and may decrease significantly over time. As a result, any holdings or treasury strategies involving Bitcoin are subject to market risk and could lead to financial loss. Planned Bitcoin acquisitions are currently under review and will be disclosed through the TSX Venture Exchange in due course. On July 10th, Blockmate provided an online investor update covering the strategic rationale and rollout of Blockmate Mining, which can be viewed here: About Blockmate Ventures Inc. Blockmate Ventures (TSX.V: MATE) is a Blockchain & Web3 venture builder investing in and operating scalable blockchain, mining, and digital infrastructure companies. From decentralized computing with Hivello to Blockmate Mining, the Company's portfolio provides investors with diversified exposure to emerging sectors within Web3 and beyond. To learn more, visit Blockmate welcomes investors to join the Company's mailing list for the latest updates, webinars and industry research by subscribing at ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Justin Rosenberg, CEO Blockmate Ventures Inc justin@ (+1-580-262-6130) Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on the assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Raindrop disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.


CTV News
26 minutes ago
- CTV News
Supreme Court won't hear thumbs-up emoji case involving Saskatchewan farmer
In this file photo, emojis in the Snapchat app are shown in Toronto on Monday, March 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Staff OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has given a thumbs-down to hearing a legal case involving an emoji. The country's highest court dismissed an application by farmer Chris Achter to appeal a decision by the Court of Appeal of Saskatchewan. The Appeal Court upheld a verdict that found a thumbs-up emoji met signature requirements and was a legally binding agreement between Achter and Kent Mickleborough, a grain buyer with South West Terminal. In 2021, Mickleborough sent a text of a contract to Achter for a delivery of flax, and the farmer responded with a thumbs-up emoji. Achter didn't deliver the product, and the company took him to court for breaching the contract. The Supreme Court says costs are to be given to the grain company. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. The Canadian Press


CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
'C-5 fully respects modern treaty,' Carney says ahead of meetings with Inuit leaders
Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked by reporters in Inuvik, N.W.T., Thursday about concerns from some Inuit leaders that his government's major projects bill does not respect their modern treaty.