))
From Crisis to Leadership: How Crystal Smith Rewrote the Future for Her Nation
Manage episode 514548864 series 3605316
Crystal Smith, former Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, joins Power Struggle to share how her community turned a legacy of exclusion into one of empowerment by leading one of Canada’s most ambitious Indigenous-owned energy projects, Cedar LNG.
In this powerful conversation with Stewart Muir, Smith reflects not only on the business and policy decisions behind Cedar LNG, but also on the personal journey that shaped her leadership, from confronting intergenerational trauma to building confidence in the face of skepticism.
They discuss:
- What meaningful economic reconciliation looks like
- Why First Nations must lead resource development
- How the Haisla Nation took control of its future
- And what it takes to inspire the next generation of Indigenous leaders
Crystal Smith is one of the most influential Indigenous voices in Canada which makes this episode essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand what real progress looks like.
The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.
Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at [email protected]
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
🎧 For audio versions of our podcast visit powerstruggle.ca and listen on the go in your favourite podcast app!
Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod
Chapters
1. Setting The Stakes: Wanting Better (00:00:00)
2. Meet Crystal Smith And Haisla Nation (00:00:25)
3. Stepping Into Leadership (00:02:27)
4. Haisla Dreams And Economic Vision (00:07:30)
5. Life In Kitamaat Village Today (00:09:00)
6. Growing Up Haisla: Barriers And Resilience (00:10:25)
7. Loss, Statistics, And Speaking Openly (00:14:20)
8. From Being Excluded To Shaping Industry (00:16:36)
9. Weighing Competing LNG Proposals (00:18:00)
10. Why LNG Canada Rose To The Top (00:22:15)
11. Offtake 101: How Deals Get Built (00:23:55)
12. Negotiating Pipeline Capacity (00:25:15)
13. Why Industry Said Yes (00:28:12)
14. birthing Cedar LNG (00:29:03)
15. Governance By Values, Not Ego (00:31:20)
16. Lessons For Other First Nations (00:33:20)
17. Governance Systems And Local Context (00:36:00)
18. Regional Neighbors And Different Paths (00:38:20)
19. Are Members Happy Now (00:40:10)
20. Tattoos, Family, And Legacy (00:42:00)
21. Closing Thanks (00:46:00)
40 episodes
Share
