Crystal Smith (Haisla Nation) Former Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation | Indigenous Economic Leader | Advocate for Sustainable Development
Crystal Smith served the Haisla Nation for 12 years, including eight as Chief Councillor (2017–2025), leading a transformative shift from managing poverty to managing opportunity, success, and independence. She is recognized nationally for advancing Indigenous economic self-determination through projects that balance prosperity with environmental stewardship.
Under her leadership, the Haisla Nation played a central role in LNG Canada, launched HaiSea Marine—the world’s first fully electric tugboat fleet—and secured the $6 billion Cedar LNG Project, the largest Indigenous-led infrastructure investment in Canadian history. These ventures have enabled the Nation to fund programs independently and create lasting benefits for future generations.
Crystal is the former Chair of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, a former Director of the First Nations Climate Initiative, a Board Director at Taseko Mines and Snowline Gold and is a member of TC Energy and the Major Projects Office Indigenous Advisory Council’s. Her achievements have earned her BC Business Women of the Year, Public Policy Forum Honouree, Energy Person of the Year, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
A proud mother, grandmother, and athlete, Crystal remains deeply connected to her community while championing Indigenous leadership and economic reconciliation across Canada.