Prophet River First Nation chief named vice-chair of alliance supporting sustainable energy projects

PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — The chief of a northeast B.C. First Nation has been named to a leadership position within an energy organization committed to the growth of Indigenous communities within the sector.

Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) Chief Valerie Askoty has been named the vice-chair of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance (FNNGA).

The organization is an alliance of Indigenous nations committed to supporting sustainable and responsible development of both natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) development, according to its website.

Askoty, who has been PRFN chief since 2021, spoke to Energeticcity.ca about her appointment, which came at the suggestion of outgoing Haisla Nation Chief Crystal Smith.

She was appointed alongside Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government president Eva Clayton, who will act as chair.

“[PRFN] became a member of the FNNGA about a year ago,” said Askoty. “It was to get northeast B.C. nations involved in what was going on with the organization.”

She said the appointment came “fairly quickly” with the FNNGA’s annual general meeting taking place on January 19th, the day before the BC Natural Resources Forum began in Prince George.

“[Crystal] had suggested to the board to nominate me as the vice chair,” said Askoty. “I chaired my first board meeting fairly quickly, because the chair of the board actually couldn’t make it.”

A Facebook post by PRFN on February 8th reads: “Congratulations to Chief Askoty for representing Prophet River First Nation in important provincial discussions.”

Askoty said the role will give both herself and PRFN “more of a say and more of a voice,” as well as have southern B.C. First Nations “understand where we’re coming from” in terms of land restoration and further industrial development.

More details about the FNNGA are available on the organization’s website.