Energy and natural resource forum connecting youth and international leaders

When it comes to energy in Canada, Saskatchewan isn’t just central by location. Saskatchewan is the country’s second-largest oil producer and third-largest natural gas producer, with a growing share of renewables like hydro, wind, and solar.

From May 26-28, the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence (the Centre) is hosting its second annual Saskatchewan First Nations Energy and Natural Resource Forum in Saskatoon.

For three days, leaders from the energy sector, government officials, and international stakeholders will meet with First Nations leaders, Elders, and youth to explore the potential of partnering with First Nations in North America’s energy transition.

“As we face a lot of global demands for critical minerals and energy, those sectors are constantly moving and new technologies are developing when it comes to natural resource and energy development,” said Sheldon Wuttunee, CEO of the Centre and member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

“And so we had a strong belief that it is time for us to host, welcome, and lead an event which focuses on energy and natural resource development across our Treaty and traditional territories.”

Wuttunee said that they aim to be unlike any other energy or natural resource conference, which are usually project and engineering focused. The forum will have the Indigenous worldview, culture, and way of life engrained into the forum, said Wuttunee, with every day starting with a ‘Mother Earth moment’ lead by women Elders.

“The forum is not just project focused, but focused on who we are and what’s important to us,” he said.

The first day of the Forum, the Centre will host a Youth Summit, in which each First Nation in Saskatchewan will be invited to bring four youth from grades 10 to 12 to participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) presentations and workshops.

Students will be invited to work in groups to problem solve on issues like artificial intelligence (AI) and cultural appropriation.

“We want to ensure that we’re not only exposing our young people to concepts, careers, and educational pathways in STEM, and also make direct connections with our educational institutions and partners right across Saskatchewan,” said Wuttunee.

“We want young people to see a life and career for themselves in the natural resource sector.”

Part of the Youth Summit will feature Liza Kerr-Kohunui and Graeme Smith, two professionals from New Zealand who work in studying and developing ethical frameworks for AI.