Liquefied Natural Gas Exports Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities in Canada are emerging as central players in the development, ownership, and export of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Previously regarded as mere participants, Indigenous communities are now live players in the industry and actively shaping Canada’s role in LNG exports.

From Participants to Owners

Indigenous communities now collectively hold more than $6 billion in equity stakes across pipelines, storage facilities, power plants, and LNG terminals, with that number set to rise as more projects come into play.

Projects like Cedar LNG, a joint venture led by the Haisla Nation in British Columbia, is the largest Indigenous majority-owned infrastructure project in Canadian history and is expected to produce approximately 3 million tons of LNG annually.

This project represents more than mere participation in the broader economy; it solidifies economic self-determination and ensures that long-term financial benefits can remain in Indigenous communities.

How Energy Drives Community Development

In addition, the energy sector has also become one of the largest employers of Indigenous people in Canada. More than 10,000 Indigenous workers — around 7% of the total oil and gas workforce — contribute to the industry, far exceeding national averages in other industries.

Beyond jobs, billions of dollars in procurement contracts flow to Indigenous-owned businesses, helping create new revenue streams that fund housing, clean water projects, education, and healthcare within communities among other things.

Such outcomes illustrate how energy development and export-led economic growth can support economic reconciliation, giving communities both financial returns and control over how those resources are used to improve social well-being.

Redirecting the Flow

For decades, however, nearly all of Canada’s natural gas exports went south to the United States, which still accounts for around half of Canada’s shipments. However, Indigenous-led projects are redirecting the country’s export strategy.

LNG facilities on the West Coast, particularly in British Columbia, are designed with the Asian market in mind where demand for cleaner-burning fuels is growing. Cedar LNG, for example, is powered by British Columbia’s hydroelectric grid, giving it one of the lowest carbon intensities among LNG projects worldwide.

This low-emission profile is a major advantage as importers such as Japan and South Korea seek to reduce coal dependence while pursuing climate targets. Meanwhile, proposals in Manitoba explore the potential of shipping routes extending from the Hudson Bay for First Nations seeking access to the European market.

The LNG export market is among the many industries where Indigenous communities are at the forefront in shaping the industry. Not only does growing Indigenous participation symbolize the ingenuity of Indigenous communities to adapt but also symbolizes the importance of sovereignty in the economic decision-making process.

Indigenous participation in LNG exports is more than a business story; it is a model for how resource development can advance reconciliation while positioning Canada in the global energy transition. With new projects under development and others already exporting, Indigenous Nations are asserting their place across the value chain, from raw production to international trade.