The Haisla Nation and District of Kitimat are entering into a two-year economic development partnership with the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), a national program delivered jointly by Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Two employees of the Haisla Nation spoke with CICK News to discuss this collaboration between the Haisla Nation and Municipality of Kitimat. Both the nation and the district have been focused on industrial development for years, and now they are formally partnering on the development of economic opportunities through this project.

The largest of the Haisla Nation’s projects is CEDAR-LNG, which is majority owned by the nation and it will be the first Indigenous-majority-owned LNG export facility in Canada, which will provide opportunities for both the Haisla Nation and the region.

Lisa Grant and Tony Brady, Business Development Manager and Director of Economic Development with the Haisla Nation, respectively, spoke with CICK News to share insights into this economic development for the Haisla Nation. The Haisla have (for the last decade) been very focused on industrial development, however they've been operating independently, according to Tony Brady.

"This is an opportunity to come together more formally, site together and strategize on what's the most important [industry projects] for the entire area".

CICK News journalist Pamela spoke with them about smaller business opportunities but also, how the Haisla are intending to manage their CEDAR-LNG project with their "stricter environmental approach" to a natural gas pipeline.

Listen to the full interview with Lisa Brady and Tony Grant below: