When President Wendy Goulet, Cadotte Lake Métis Nation, travelled to Ottawa for the recent Canadian Nuclear Association Conference, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

“I went there with an open mind and came away with a much bigger understanding of what the nuclear industry actually looks like,” she reflected afterward.

As part of the Canadian Nuclear Association's (CNA) Indigenous Ambassador Program, now in its fourth year, President Goulet joined Indigenous leaders and representatives from across Canada to attend one of the country’s largest gatherings focused on nuclear energy, innovation and the future of clean power.

For President Goulet, the experience became much more than a conference. It became an opportunity to listen, ask questions and better understand an industry that could play a bigger role in communities across Canada - including those connected to the Peace River Nuclear Power Project.

A New Understanding of the Industry

“When I first heard about a nuclear project being proposed for the area, I kept thinking it was just going to involve nuclear engineers - people who go to school forever to work in the industry.”

But after attending sessions, touring the conference floor and speaking directly with people in the industry, her perspective expanded.

“I really saw the bigger picture,” she explained. “I saw the impacts for employment, the environment and communities.”

Coming from a region shaped by energy development, President Goulet said the conversations around nuclear prompted important comparisons and reflections about how Canada produces energy and what future development could look like.

More Than a Seat at the Table

One message stood out clearly for President Goulet throughout the conference: Indigenous communities need to be genuinely involved in the conversation.

“I think it’s important that Indigenous people are at the table as genuine stakeholders,” she said. “Being involved allows us to learn about opportunities such as Indigenous procurement, workforce development and business partnerships, while also understanding the potential environmental, cultural and community impacts of a project. We can then bring that information back to our own communities so they can make informed decisions based on their own priorities, values and perspectives.”

For President Goulet, meaningful participation means Indigenous Nations and communities being involved in planning, discussions and long-term decision-making from the beginning - not simply informed after decisions are made.

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