Indigenous stakeholders optimistic as Natural Resources Forum concludes

Communication and connecting with industry and government officials were a big focus this year, and 2026’s forum was a promising one for Indigenous stakeholders who were looking to ensure their voices were heard and they had a seat at the table.

“I feel like I’ve spent a lot of my career fighting industry, asking for more (in regards to) getting involved and stuff like that, but I feel like it’s getting better 100%,” said Saulteau Nation Treaty Rights and Environmental Protection Manager Naomi Owens-Beek.

“I definitely feel in the last few years that First Nations communities have gotten a lot stronger voice in the resource sector and just in the community in general,” added Bjorklund.

Logan says she’s noticed this positive shift too, noting she’s seen government and industry officials truly listening and working with Indigenous stakeholders.

“I think they’re listening, we’re not getting the ‘oh yeah, we understand,’ thing. They’re actually taking notes and listening,” Logan said.

Sustainability and environmental protections was a key focus for all groups, with Owens-Beek noting she was here with the specific goal in mind to promote Saulteau Nation’s “Healing the Land” conference in September. Owens-Beek says the Natural Resources Forum is the best space to promote something like this and get your voice heard, and she, alongside other Indigenous stakeholders, hope that message is heard loud and clear.

“It was recently announced at this forum that the Government of B.C. would be putting money into restoration for northeast B.C., so it lands really well with the conference we’re hosting, because the northeast has been riddled with industrial work, which gives us a great opportunity for restoration activities,” Owen Beeks said.

“We’re all here to protect our resources. Yes, we do have plenty of it, but we’re not making more of it, so it’s very important that we find a way to move forward, but protect,” Logan added.

While there is optimism surrounding what many called a successful event, these stakeholders now are looking to the future, where they hope the ideas and topics discussed this week will translate into a productive year ahead.

“I think I’d like to get out of this more connections, more networking with a lot of the big projects that are coming through Prince George, and to have that inclusion with Lheidli T’enneh and Tano T’enneh group, to be involved and have a real voice on how the projects are being completed,” Bjorklund said.

“There is an urgency from B.C. for work to happen, a lot of action. But I really just want to ensure that First Nations are making the right choices for their lands, that they are ensuring those protection measures are in place because, yeah, industry and activity is great, but let’s make sure that it’s going to be good for the environment as well,” Owen-Beeks said.

This year’s forum was the biggest one to date, with more than 1600 registrants attending.

by Tommy Osborne

Indigenous stakeholders optimistic as Natural Resources Forum concludes

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