b'GREEN ENERGYRECONCILIATION new mechanisms for participationsome- Canadas Net Zero goals. The province These new projects represent a critical shifttimes thats a business model, sometimeshas reduced its coal consumption by 12 in how large utility companies in Canadathats an advocacy model.per cent between 2005 and 2019thanks work with Indigenous communities. Wein part to its focus on green energyand have a significant number of IndigenousVerret Morphy agrees. Theres alwaysits becoming a global leader in sustain-customers, and we believe our businessbeen a strong case for doing projectsable resource production, largely devel-should reflect our customers, Verretand engaging and increasing Indigenousoped in collaboration with First Nations. Morphy says. These renewable projectsparticipation in our business. But the are extremely important to us and our future.concept of economic reconciliation hasWhile there is an obvious environmental Having the Indigenous component is areally sharpened our focus and given us a huge advantage because of the Indigenousrallying cry across the organization that thisbenefit to the country, there is also a signifi-connection to the land. It [allows us] tois something that we need to do, she says.cant economic benefit to these First Nation see all of us as caretakers of our land andgroups. Projects like the MLTC Bioenergy our resources. The FNPA has helped facilitate the devel- Centre have a direct financial impact, and opment of many of the green energycreate jobs, energy supply and a degree For SaskPower, this nod to reconciliationpower projects with Indigenous commu- of self-sufficiency. The outcome can be goes far beyond lip service. The utility recog- nities. Its CEO firmly believes that Firsttransformative.nizes the importance of embodying Call toNations participation is critical, not just Action 92 for engaged and meaningfulfor a greener future but for reconciliationThese projects are creating transforma-relationships that have tangible outcomestion opportunities for First Nations, not for both Canadians and Indigenous part- across the country. Large infrastructure ners. Economic reconciliation is not onlyprojects are nation-building projects, [and]just to be consumers of power but to be a process for governments to participateyou cant build a nation without Indigenousproducers of power and to create opportu-in but for companies like SaskPower tovoices at the table and without Indigenousnities for self-sufficiency and energy sover-embody through their many collaborations.partners, says Lonechild simply. eignty, says Lonechild.The real history of Canada needs to beSaskPowers partnerships with First NationsIn the words of Verret Morphy, Its neces-unveiled and the utilities have a role inon green energy projects have a depth andsary for business, for our customers, and that, says Lonechild. Weve got to findbreadth that will only serve to acceleratereally for the future of our province.Field Coating | Tank Coating | Pipeline Integrity | WeldingBarrier Group is an Industrial Company in Stony Plain, AB that services the Oil & Gas Industry across Western Canada.We utilize highly-trained, motivated and loyal personnel with decades of experience in multiple facets of the oil and gas industry by combining experience and state-of-the-art equipment to consistently deliver durable top-quality solutions for pipeline, facility, tank, concrete and integrity applications.Visit us at www.barriergroup.ca8 Boulder Blvd, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1V7(780) 401-1861info@barriergroup.caAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT65'