With a biofuel facility close to beginning operations and a recently announced wind power project near Hixon, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Dolleen Logan told the 2025 BC Natural Resources Forum that her community wants to partner with companies looking to “innovate and think differently” on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
On the first night of the forum, the chief told attendees that when former Prince George-Mackenzie Liberal MLA Pat Bell helped create the forum 22 years ago, its purpose was to bring people together to discuss the opportunities to develop the province’s natural resources.
Since then, Logan said, it has evolved to allow for the voices of First Nations to be respected and followed.
“Our purpose is the same as yours, to be partners in creating greater opportunities for our community and our people,” she said. “This is a strong purpose for us.”
Late last year, the BC Government approved nine wind power projects co-owned by First Nations, allowing them to bypass the environmental review process.
One of them is a joint venture between Lheidli T’enneh and Spanish firm Ecoener to put 14 turbines generating up to 140 megawatts near Hixon.
“We’ll help offset the massive call for power in our community and provide new pathways for wind farm projects in our province,” Logan said.
“Our partnerships are key for everyone, but we need to ensure that our partnerships extend beyond short-term financial gain and focus on the opportunity to partner together in greater environmental as well as economic outcomes for future generations.”
She also referenced the biofuel plant her community partnered with Arbios Biotech to build, saying that it recently finished construction and will soon open.
Prosperity for her community, the chief said, includes opportunities to create jobs, build houses, deliver services and build bridges. On that last point, Logan said she means the bridge that is needed to connect two Lheidli T’enneh reserves separated by the Fraser River.
She encouraged forum attendees to consider the value of partnerships and discovering new opportunities while they’re at the event.
The First Nation is set up in Room 202 on the second floor of the Civic Centre during the forum to discuss forestry and other ventures it is interested in pursuing.
“Our doors are open and Lheidli T’enneh is always open for business,” the chief said.
