Why Natural Resources Matter to Indigenous Communities

My name is Brayden Day Chief, and I am in my third year of Indigenous Governance and Business Management at the University of Lethbridge. I have been with the Indigenous Resource Network for three years and have been with Students for Canada for two years. This project is to express my views and experiences with natural resources. Also, to provide an Indigenous perspective on why I support the resource sector, what resources have done for my community, and my thoughts on resource development.

My Background in Resources

I never realized much about the importance of Canada’s natural resources or even knew anything about natural resources until I was in my early twenties. I grew up on the Blood Reserve located in Southern Alberta, which is also known as Blackfoot territory. Growing up in the largest reserve in Canada, I did not have much information during my childhood about Alberta’s crucial resources such as oil and gas, agriculture, and forestry. Those sectors are very important to the prosperity of the Blood reserve. In the past, My family may have practiced forestry, but in more of a cultural sense. We used our forests and the land for our cultural ceremonies and to build our structures such as our family teepee and our sweat lodges. As Indigenous people (Blackfoot) we are taught at a very young age that our Mother Earth is the Source of Life and to care for the land. Treating the land with respect is important, as it is a member of our family.

My father built a ranch on the Blood reserve which became our family’s land, and it was near wheat fields. I was surrounded by agriculture constantly. Tractors and combines drove through the backroads of the community during the spring and summer. Our families were close with the surrounding Hutterite colonies that were near the Reserve, and they would also farm certain areas of the Blood Tribe’s land.

Other families on the reserve also farmed their own fields if they had the equipment. One of the largest business entities that operate for the Reserve is called the Blood Tribe Agricultural Project (BTAP). BTAP is an Irrigation Mall that comprises over 34,000 acres, and its irrigation infrastructure provides water to approximately 23,646 acres. My community always had a connection to farming.

There is a story of the historic Chief Red Crow during the wake of the declining buffalo and a rise in disease. Chief Red Crow taught and lead the Blackfoot to take up farming as a means to preserve our lives, culture, and traditional knowledge. I believe that the Blackfoot people always have had a history with natural resources such as agriculture and forestry.

Why I Got Involved

I started becoming interested in natural resources when I was involved with a Resource Company called Tamarack Valley Energy by acting in two short films they were promoting. Tamarack has had a lot of engagement with the Blood Reserve. Brian Schmidt (Aakaikkitstaki) is President & Chief Executive Officer of Tamarack and honorary chief of the Blood Tribe. The short films were about social issues and cultural preservation on the Blood Reserve. After that, I became interested in Indigenous governance and business management. I became curious about how the businesses are operating on the Blood Reserve.

I noticed a lot of development happening and was always curious about how these non-Indigenous companies are operating in Indigenous communities.

After being in the two short films, I was introduced to the Indigenous Resource Network. They wanted me to create a project where I interview Indigenous workers and business owners about their opinion regarding natural resource development.

The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) supports responsible development, whether it be oil & gas, mining, hydro, nuclear, or forestry, following the highest environmental standards and benefits Indigenous communities.

This organization was built to provide a more balanced and informed conversation about Indigenous people and resource development. Working with IRN for the past two years has not only helped me with my education on resource development but my personal life as well. I was being schooled by Indigenous leaders who have a leading voice in Canada’s natural resource industry. The members of IRN educated me and made me realize that this industry is helping so many Indigenous communities across Canada. I am now a member of this great organization and am now very passionate about Canada’s natural resources.

What I Have Learned

I have learned that hundreds of Indigenous nations and communities have entered into agreements and partnerships to develop oil & gas, mining, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, the energy sector, and hydro development. Canada’s natural resource industry is creating opportunities for Indigenous nations to generate own-source revenues, assist Indigenous entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and for Indigenous workers to make a decent living so they can provide for their families. Natural resource development in Indigenous communities can bring so many opportunities. The community members will have improved income sources, leading to a greater economy. A greater economy can lead Indigenous people away from depending on the government for financial support. This is an alternative for securing financial wellness that can provide a greater quality of life for Indigenous people.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have always had a special relationship with the land, and their territories have shaped their language, culture, and traditions. Indigenous people have used their natural resources from their territories to obtain sustainability, but also to ensure continuity of their culture and traditions. I believe that it is important for Indigenous youth to be involved in Canada’s natural resource sector as we are the stewards of the land. Together, we can change the future for the next generation in our communities and our country.