The Indian Resource Council (IRC) hosted the Indigenous Energy Pavilion (IEP) at this year’s 51st Annual Global Petroleum Show (GPS) in Calgary, Alberta. The Global Petroleum Show is North America’s Leading Energy Event with over 51,000 attendees from 115 Countries. The IEP was the gathering place of over 200+ First Nations represented organizationally and 40+ First Nation companies during the 3 day event.
The IRC held a 3 day conference within the Indigenous Energy Pavilion that featured talks around Traditional Knowledge and History, Engagement with First Nations, Hiring of Indigenous talent, Information sessions on Bill C48 and Bill C69, Upcoming changes to the regulations in the Indian Oil and Gas Act, presentations from IEP participating companies, and more.
Indigenous companies participating in this year’s pavilion included BitCrude, Circle for Aboriginal Relations Society, D Jean Enterprises Inc., Top Notch Oilfield Contracting, Indian Oil and Gas Canada, Indian Resource Council, Ermineskin Resource Development Inc., Heart Lake Group of Companies, Total Containment Inc., Spirit Staffing Inc., Comec Energy Services/Genmec ACL, Cold Lake First Nations, and First Nations Major Projects Coalition.
The IRC held meetings with numerous trade commissioners during the event who are keen on doing business with First Nations across the country, contact our office for more information.
The IRC was host to the Young GPS program, which provided youth with information on Indigenous communities participation in responsible energy development. IRC demonstrated to multiple groups how its members are making the energy industry more sustainable by applying real world solutions for real world challenges.
The IRC was nominated in the category of Indigenous excellence at the Global Petroleum Show Awards Gala alongside companies such as Innotech Alberta, Tamarack Valley Energy, and Project Reconciliation. This year’s winner of the Indigenous excellence award was Steel River Group from Calgary, Alberta.
IRC President/CEO Stephen Buffalo presented on a panel at the GPS Strategic conference on First Nations-led Projects: A Path Forward, alongside fellow panelists IRC Board Member Delbert Wapass, Clayton Norris – VP Indigenous Services MNP, and Honourable Greg Rickford Minister of Energy – Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Government of Ontario. The panel was well received with many follow up discussion on First Nations projects.
For more coverage and highlights, follow #GPS2019 on twitter. If you would like to be part of the energy for GPS2020, contact the Indian Resource Council / National Energy Business Centre of Excellence Office today at www.irccanada.ca
