Indigenous Project Leadership is the “Smartest, Smoothest, Soundest Path” to Growing Canada’s Electricity System, says new Organization

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Indigenous Power Coalition

 New Indigenous Power Coalition launched to “flip the script” on Indigenous involvement in electricity projects, starting with interprovincial transmission lines

VICTORIA, BC (March 18, 2026) – Kwatuuma Cole Sayers is taking on a new role as the executive director and co-founder of Indigenous Power Coalition, a new non-profit organization focused on supporting Indigenous leadership of new, clean electricity generation and transmission projects.  According to Sayers, the former head of the Clean Energy Association of BC, “our goal is to flip the conventional script on Indigenous project involvement - from the role of consulted Rights Holders to that of project leaders.” 

“Traditionally, Nations have been in a reactive role,” says Sayers.  “Non-Indigenous, commercial developers have been the ones to identify opportunities and seek Indigenous participation. We want to reverse that dynamic and establish Indigenous leadership right from the beginning.”

Indigenous-led generation and  transmission projects foster self-determination and economic growth

The Federal government’s upcoming National Electricity Strategy will outline a plan to double the capacity of Canada’s electricity grid to meet growing demand by 2050.  One of the fundamental requirements of this strategy is the construction of new, large-scale interprovincial transmission lines. Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced an  interprovincial-territorial partnership to build transmission infrastructure needed to power the country’s next generation of growth.  

“Every single new transmission line that gets built in Canada will sit on, go through, and impact Indigenous territories,” says Sayers. “The electricity sector is an essential venue for economic reconciliation and Indigenous leadership needs to be understood as the new table stakes for project development.”

Dr. Blake Shaffer, an expert in electricity markets and advisor to Indigenous Power Coalition, emphasizes that Indigenous leadership also improves the efficiency and risk profile of electricity projects themselves.  

“There is increasing appetite for Indigenous-led electricity projects, particularly from investors, because they offer greater certainty that things will get built more smoothly and with better outcomes for communities and the environment,” says Shaffer. “Indigenous leadership is essential to modernizing Canada’s electricity system, which the growth of our economy depends on.”   

Creating a collaborative environment for coalition-building and decision-making

While Indigenous leadership and equity ownership in clean electricity projects has increased over the past 20 years, more work is needed to support Nations in taking the wheel on major electricity projects, particularly those that span large geographies such as transmission lines. 

Indigenous Power Coalition plays two key roles. First, it identifies potential projects and convenes Nations around these opportunities, creating the conditions for collaboration across territories. Second, it sources best-in-class expertise - such as technical modelers, legal and regulatory experts, and experienced financial professionals - to provide Nations with decision-useful information. 

“Nations with an interest in pursuing project leadership are going to come to the table with important questions about financing, risk, and equity models. Our role is to support them in getting answers to those questions so that they can make decisions, individually and together, that best serve their needs and interests,” says Sayers. 

Initial focus: Interprovincial transmission in western Canada

Indigenous Power Coalition is focusing its initial efforts on Nation-led interprovincial electricity transmission opportunities across western Canada.  “Indigenous leadership has a comparative advantage in this particular infrastructure,” Shaffer explains. “Nations can transcend provincial borders that have historically been an obstacle to interprovincial connections.” 

“Transmission lines are more than technical connectors; they are strategic tools that allow Nations to shape regional energy futures,”says Sayers. “When Nations lead they influence key decisions — ensuring that transmission development aligns with community values and long-term stewardship responsibilities.”

In the past nine months, Indigenous Power Coalition has been bringing together experts across the electricity sector with Nations in both Alberta and British Columbia to explore Indigenous-led opportunities for interprovincial transmission.  

“Ultimately, we’re here to provide Nations with the support they need to become project leaders and owners,” says Sayers. “Our only stake in these projects is to see Nations succeed.”  

To schedule an interview with Kwatuuma Cole Sayers contact:  

media@IndigenousPowerCoalition.ca 

Quotes from Indigenous Power Coalition Advisors and Partners

“It’s a very exciting time to be First Nations and for Indigenous Power Coalition to be launching. The energy sector is going to need to keep expanding and who better to lead these projects than the original rights holders and stewards of these lands. We have seen it time and time again, that when First Nations lead and are given the proper tools and resources, projects have a greater chance for success!” 

- Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, CEO and President of Sky-Deer Consulting 

“For too long Canadian electricity has been locked behind outdated rules and boundaries. Indigenous leadership will be the key to unleashing a bigger and more reliable grid that will deliver clean and affordable electricity across Canada.” 

- Dr. Madeleine McPherson, Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria and principal investigator of the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions (SESIT) Group

“First Nations ownership of and leadership in transmission projects marks a turning point to the way electrification grids can be built out, with First Nations as the decision-makers, owners, and the ones who benefit from any project on their lands and waters.” 

- Dr. Sue von der Porten, Vice President of Clean Energy Strategy, First Nations Major Projects Coalition

“Interprovincial transmission will be critical to Canada’s future electricity system, and it won’t happen without Indigenous leadership. Indigenous Power Coalition's work supports Nations to lead on  projects that align with their communities’ values, deliver real benefits, and get the grid built.” 

- Evan Wilson, Executive Director, Electrifying Canada