Cory Morgan: Indigenous Partnership With TC Energy on Natural Gas Network Is a Game Changer

Commentary The purchase of a $1 billion stake in TC Energy’s natural gas pipeline network by an indigenous consortium changes the dynamic between indigenous people and resource companies across Canada. The deal is the largest indigenous ownership equity agreement in Canadian history and it will usher in future partnerships in different resource sectors. It marks a true turning point in the relationship between indigenous people and enterprises involved in natural resource development. To ensure indigenous citizens were not ignored while resource extraction projects were carried out in their territories, consultation requirements were imposed on companies working on Crown lands, but those usually just led to one-time payouts to local indigenous bands to get them out of the way. Sometimes efforts were made to hire local people or contract their companies. The indigenous people were seen as a local hindrance to pacify and bypass and weren’t seen as a potential partner or asset for the operations....