Around the world, there is an explosion of Investments in major development projects to support the clean economy. Governments are mobilizing to compete, to attract investors who want to put trillions of dollars behind industries powered by clean energy and tech. Billions of jobs are up for grabs.

Here in Canada, where Indigenous participation and ownership of such projects in their territories is becoming the norm, New Economy Canada partner First Nations Major Projects Coalition provides capacity support via project development advisory services to First Nations who are considering taking an equity position in a major project. 

In her own words, hear from Luticia Miller on her role in the clean economy.

What’s a day in the life of your job?

The scope of my day could range from analyzing financial models to participating in negotiations between our clients and the project proponents, to coordinating meetings with community representatives or meeting new members to understand their project development needs. In order to effectively represent our client Nations, we must understand their unique culture, their history, and their past experience in industry — both their own enterprises and working alongside other industry players. We work at the direction of our member First Nations and the communities we serve, and our role often involves both internal capacity development for the Nations and external education for proponents who may not have worked with Indigenous groups as equity partners in the past.   

What makes this a good job?

This role was a perfect marrying of my career in industrial construction, my own Indigeneity as a Cree-Metis woman, and my work in supporting Indigenous economic development. A construction planner and project controller by trade, I have spent several decades building major energy and infrastructure projects. This experience has proven valuable in assessing ways that things can be done better so that project outcomes for Indigenous communities can be more impactful.

How did you get where you are now?

I started my career in Oil & Gas as a welder’s helper and thoroughly enjoyed the work and the skills development. As both a lifelong environmentalist and supporter of my industry, I was struck by how transferrable the skills from conventional energy were to renewable energy and saw the critical role that our construction professionals could play in the lower-carbon energy economy. I sought out opportunities to learn and inserted myself in venues that supported clean energy, from volunteering in steering committees to contributing sweat equity to new clean energy technologies. These efforts opened incredible opportunities and new challenges that I feel fortunate to participate in. 

What benefits has your project or company brought to your local community?

I view clean, abundant, affordable, and reliable energy to be a cornerstone of a robust, resilient Indigenous economy. Clean energy is the key to the lasting health and wealth of a community. We work hard to maximize every aspect of participation for each of the Nations we represent, in each project. Of this effort I am both proud and humbled, and grateful for the opportunity to contribute in such a meaningful way.