We’ll share knowledge about First Nations designing, participating and leading clean energy development in Australia and globally – with Indigenous leaders joining us from the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
"We are experiencing the biggest transformation of the energy system in our lifetime, and in the context of climate change we deeply know how urgent this transition is,” says Karrina Nolan, Executive Director of the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
"We also know First Nations people can and should benefit from the clean energy transition, whether from small community-based projects to negotiating partnerships or ownership of large scale initiatives.
Register today for the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium
"Australian homeowners have taken up solar and battery energy at great speed – with over 4.5 million homes enjoying clean energy, assisted by rebates, subsidies and finance still not readily available to First Nations people and communities.
"This is an opportunity to power all of our homes with clean, reliable power, to move our communities off reliance on incredibly expensive diesel, and to finally upgrade homes and build energy efficient housing.
"Many of our people and communities are experiencing extreme weather – fires, floods, extreme heat, and some of the most unreliable and expensive energy in Australia. No one should be forced to choose between paying for food or keeping the lights and fridge on.
"Backed by the country’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, First Nations people are slowly creating change in Australia’s policy, regulatory and financial systems to enable community-led clean energy solutions, First Nations clean energy partnerships, and benefits for generations to come.
"With Australia’s energy transition — requiring $140 billion by 2050 in new infrastructure to be located on land and waters where First Nations have rights and interests — there is a commercial and mutually beneficial opportunity to partner with First Nations people, which means real long lasting resourcing and investing in First Nations projects and communities.
"The emerging evidence is clear: genuine First Nations participation can ensure projects are sited in better locations, based on cultural inputs, with stronger project economics to reduce risk.
"We must continue to shift the Australian Government policy and investment environment, change the story on capital, set up funds for First Nations ventures, and ensure investment in First Nations equity stakes. This means reforming how we invest and lend, building pathways for co-ownership and backing community-led projects that are ready to go.
"But our communities aren’t waiting. We’re rebuilding. We’re innovating. We’re determined. We’re coming together with solutions.
"At the Symposium, we’ll learn from local and global First Nations-led models that are already influencing government policy, shifting industry practice, building community-owned clean energy projects, and showing how genuine consent and First Nations participation can make the energy transition fairer, stronger and faster.
"We’ll hear how they did it, what can we learn, what still needs to change, and how we can move forward together – to ensure no one is left behind."
The First Nations Clean Energy Symposium is being held from 18-20 August 2026 at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention & Event Centre, 80 Western Beach Rd, Geelong, Victoria.
GLOBAL KIN JOINING THE SYMPOSIUM
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CANADA: Mihskakwan James Harper & Alexandra Thomson, Indigenous Clean Energy
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NEW ZEALAND: Mana Newton, Tauhara North No.2 Trust AND Anahera Nin & Wahleah Johns, 4 Directions Fund
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UNITED STATES: Chris Deschene, Navajo Nation, Tribal Energy Attorney & Board Member of National Inter-Tribal Energy Council AND Chairman Tim Nuvangyaoma, Hopi Tribe, Alliance of Tribal Clean Energy