Indigenous Council to Enhance Geoscience BC
Vancouver, BC – April 24, 2023 – Seven Indigenous leaders have become the first members of Geoscience BC’s new Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council (the Council).
The new Council has been created to bring Indigenous leadership to Geoscience BC’s research on critical minerals and metals, geological carbon capture and storage and cleaner energy. It will be chaired by Geoscience BC Vice Chair and Indigenous reconciliation specialist Lana Eagle.
Commenting on the news, Lana said: “We were honoured by the number and quality of applications we had from Indigenous people to support Geoscience’s BC’s new Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council. Thank you to everyone that applied. We are excited to get started on this important work.”
Members of the Council are:
- Bill Adsit (Tahltan): “I am pleased with the opportunity to provide input into the excellent work done by Geoscience BC.”
- Maynard Angus (Consultant; Nisga’a): “With the shifting political and economic landscapes, Indigenous peoples are poised to contribute and influence change in British Columbia’s resources sector. I compliment Geoscience BC for the initiative and will to blend Indigenous cultural decision-making on the future of energy and embrace reconciliation as a guiding light.”
- Maxine Bruce (Lil’wat; Lil’wat): "I am very grateful and honoured to have been selected to the Geoscience BC Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council. In this time of reconciliation, I look forward to being able to contribute to a process that brings people together in a positive way."
- Jordan Dickie (Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Fort Nelson First Nation): “I am honoured to be a part of the first Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council with Geoscience BC. I look forward to contributing to its goals of advancing reconciliation and enhancing relationships with the many Indigenous Nations across BC. With our respective goals of advancing UNDRIP and Reconciliation we have an opportunity to forge meaningful partnerships by walking together, now more than ever. Mah-si Cho (Thank you)”.
- Maxime Lepine (Consultant; Metis and Huron): "I am very excited to be able to participate and engage at Geoscience BC’s Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council. I like to work from a grassroots perspective and if we can help facilitate this process when conducting business, we will see progress that makes sense from both sides. Sharing the Indigenous perspective and being heard is the first step in developing trust and partnership for all parties."
- Lisa Mueller (Nation2Nation; Tsilhqot’in): “I am really excited to be part of the new Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council led by Geoscience BC. More than ever reconciliation needs to be a part of everything we do in BC and Canada, and I'm thrilled to be able to sit on this council to represent Northwest BC.”
- Jeff Skopyk (Teck Geoscientist; English River First Nation Cree and Dene, Saskatchewan): “I am honoured to have been selected to serve on Geoscience BC’s Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council. We as a people have a responsibility to ethically explore and mine for critical minerals not just in Canada, but around the world. Through reconciliation, innovation, and reclamation, we can preserve the lands and waters for generations to come.”
Other Council members will be Geoscience BC Chair Donna Phillips, President & CEO Gavin C. Dirom and Vice President, External Relations Richard Truman.
For more information, including details about the Council’s role, please visit here:
View Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Advisory Council page
Geoscience BC Membership Program and Project Concepts
Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.
Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.
Geoscience BC’s Corporate, Individual, Student and Associate membership program makes it easier for a wide range of partners to provide more input on, and benefit from, Geoscience BC research priorities and project ideas as the transition to a lower carbon economy increases demand for British Columbia’s natural resources.
Visit geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more and join Geoscience BC as a member.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147/778-929-1662