In Episode 18 of the Indigenous Voices and Resource Development podcast, John Desjarlais sits down with Guy Lonechild, President and CEO of the First Nations Power Authority (FNPA), to talk about leadership, energy, and what Indigenous participation in the economy can actually look like in practice.
Guy starts by sharing his background growing up between communities across Western Canada, including White Bear First Nation. He speaks honestly about early challenges, poverty, and how education became a turning point in his life. That experience shaped his approach to leadership, grounded in self-determination, continuous growth, and showing others what’s possible through action.
The conversation then shifts into the work of the FNPA. Guy explains how the organization was created to address the lack of Indigenous participation in the electricity sector and how it has grown from Saskatchewan into a national presence. He breaks down what real participation looks like, not just consultation, but involvement across the full lifecycle of projects, from development and ownership to operations and long-term maintenance.
There’s a strong focus on energy sovereignty and the idea that communities should be able to generate, manage, and benefit from their own power systems. Guy walks through examples across Canada where this is already happening, including solar, wind, transmission, and emerging technologies. He also emphasizes that there isn’t one solution, it’s about finding the right mix of energy sources based on geography, economics, and community priorities.
The episode also tackles bigger system-level issues. Guy speaks on policy barriers, the limits of current utility models, and the need for Indigenous-led solutions within regulation, infrastructure, and ownership structures. He highlights how meaningful engagement needs to go beyond conversation and translate into equity, revenue sharing, and long-term economic benefit that reflects the level of risk communities carry.
A key theme throughout is the role of youth and workforce development. Guy stresses the importance of trades, STEM fields, and mentorship, encouraging young people to think beyond traditional career paths and step into emerging sectors like clean energy and infrastructure.
The discussion closes with a broader look at where Canada is heading. Guy makes it clear that progress depends on doing the work together with Indigenous communities, not after decisions are made, but from the start.