Decolonizing Approaches to Geothermal Energy Development in Alberta Through Indigenous Community-Led Research and Engagement

Abstract

Geothermal energy has the potential to be the next transformative technology to boost Canada’s green energy sector. Given that many of the potential geothermal sites are on Indigenous lands, meaningful engagement and consultation with Indigenous communities will be key to successfully developing geothermal energy projects and policy. This paper focuses on the communication of risk, as a component of community engagement strategies, prior to and throughout the development of a geothermal energy project. How can we account for differential impacts on Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and whose risks are accounted for where societal norms differ, and where access to remedy is not uniform? This paper proposes a novel approach to co-developing equitable communication models for responsible and sustainable renewable energy development in partnership with Indigenous communities now contemplating geothermal energy development in their territories. This model is designed to assist in establishing a more appropriate, community-centered approach to consultation, honouring Indigenous rights to free, prior and informed consent as expressed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and in adherence to the spirit and intent of treaties between Indigenous Nations and the Government of Canada; and in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, numbers 43 and 44.