EPISODE · Jan 9, 2026 · 47 MIN
Karen Ogen on courage in leadership, economic sovereignty, and community care
from Breakthrough Nation With Karen Restoule
Few Indigenous leaders have navigated the political, legal, and public pressures that have come with energy development in recent years as Karen Ogen. Former Chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and now CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, Ogen has led and advised Indigenous Nations through some of the country’s most contested energy and infrastructure decisions. During her time as Chief, she guided her Nation through complex internal decision-making and consultation processes related to major energy projects – under intense national attention. Today, Ogen works with First Nations across Canada that are choosing to engage in LNG and natural gas development. Her work reflects Nation-level economic leadership grounded in sound governance, collective decision-making, and execution, where legitimacy is earned internally and outcomes are measured in long-term, generational benefit.ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NATIONBreakthrough Nation spotlights people whose ambition, grit, and sense of duty are moving Canada forward. I’m Karen Restoule, your host, and each episode features leaders delivering real results across regions and sectors.About Series 2.Series #2 brings the spotlight on Indigenous women entrepreneurs who are building businesses, creating jobs, and exercising real economic leadership. You’ll hear from people who are motivated by ambition, opportunity, and the desire to create something of lasting value that delivers results – real results. You’ll hear from former Chief Karen Ogen of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, former Chief Kim Baird of the Tsawwassen Nation, and Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit Nation, alongside entrepreneurs like Lorie Restoule-Young, cofounder and head of Young Forestry Services, Trisha Pitura, cofounder of Mini Tipi, and others who are moving capital, people, and ideas into action.SERIES 2 is presented in collaboration with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.Make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode.Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on: iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.WATCH podcasts in video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakthroughNationCAThank you for joining us on Breakthrough Nation podcast.Follow along at:YouTube: / @breakthroughnationca LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakthroughnationTwitter: @ambitionandgritInstagram: @breakthroughnationcaFacebook: www.facebook.com/breakthroughnation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
Few Indigenous leaders have navigated the political, legal, and public pressures that have come with energy development in recent years as Karen Ogen. Former Chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and now CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, Ogen has led and advised Indigenous Nations through some of the country’s most contested energy and infrastructure decisions. During her time as Chief, she guided her Nation through complex internal decision-making and consultation processes related to major energy projects – under intense national attention. Today, Ogen works with First Nations across Canada that are choosing to engage in LNG and natural gas development. Her work reflects Nation-level economic leadership grounded in sound governance, collective decision-making, and execution, where legitimacy is earned internally and outcomes are measured in long-term, generational benefit.ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NATIONBreakthrough Nation spotlights people whose ambition, grit, and sense of duty are moving Canada forward. I’m Karen Restoule, your host, and each episode features leaders delivering real results across regions and sectors.About Series 2.Series #2 brings the spotlight on Indigenous women entrepreneurs who are building businesses, creating jobs, and exercising real economic leadership. You’ll hear from people who are motivated by ambition, opportunity, and the desire to create something of lasting value that delivers results – real results. You’ll hear from former Chief Karen Ogen of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, former Chief Kim Baird of the Tsawwassen Nation, and Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit Nation, alongside entrepreneurs like Lorie Restoule-Young, cofounder and head of Young Forestry Services, Trisha Pitura, cofounder of Mini Tipi, and others who are moving capital, people, and ideas into action.SERIES 2 is presented in collaboration with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.Make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode.Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on: iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.WATCH podcasts in video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakthroughNationCAThank you for joining us on Breakthrough Nation podcast.Follow along at:YouTube: / @breakthroughnationca LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakthroughnationTwitter: @ambitionandgritInstagram: @breakthroughnationcaFacebook: www.facebook.com/breakthroughnation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Karen Ogen on courage in leadership, economic sovereignty, and community care
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