Chief Crystal Smith has been at the forefront of the Haisla Nation’s transformation into a driving force in Canada’s LNG sector. The First Nation, which is governed from Kitamaat Village in the northern coastal area of British Columbia, believes “careful and appropriate economic development will bring our people necessary self-sufficiency,” according to their website. They have partnered with natural gas companies and now own a majority stake in Cedar LNG, a floating liquefied natural gas export facility that is being built off the North Coast. It will accept natural gas coming from the main Coastal GasLink pipeline and liquefy approximately 3.3 million tonnes per year for export to Asia. Smith spoke with National Post about what economic self-determination means, how the First Nation balances growth with cultural preservation, and what others can learn from their experience. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.