Chief Councillor Crystal Smith of the Haisla Nation has been named the Canadian Energy Person of the Year for 2024. The award recognizes her leadership in Indigenous-led energy development and her role in securing majority ownership of the Cedar LNG project for the Haisla Nation.
The award was presented by the Energy Council of Canada at a gala event on Feb. 6 at Vancouver's Pan Pacific Hotel ballroom, where more than 250 industry leaders, colleagues and supporters gathered. The event featured video messages and in-person speeches from family, friends and energy sector professionals. Energy Council Chair Howard Shearer, who presided over the evening, described Smith’s contributions as “historic.”
Smith, who also serves as Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, spoke about the challenges and sacrifices involved in advancing the Cedar LNG project. She said the goal was not just to move the project forward but to ensure that the Haisla Nation could benefit and flourish from the opportunity.
Cedar LNG is the world’s first Indigenous-majority-owned liquefied natural gas project. It is designed to leverage Canada’s natural gas supply and the province’s growing LNG infrastructure to produce low-carbon, cost-competitive LNG for overseas markets. The project aims to maintain one of the lowest environmental footprints in the industry.
The project's final investment decision was made on June 25, 2024, clearing the way for construction. Work began in July with site preparation and clearing, ahead of full-scale construction in 2025.
Smith was presented with the award by Shearer and 2023 recipient Nancy Southern. The event was supported by 15 sponsors from energy companies and organizations.
