Cole Sayers is from the Hupacasath First Nation and managed the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) at the New Relationship Trust (NRT) from 2017 to 2022. Based in North Vancouver, the NRT is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. The NRT implements the $9.5 million BCICEI which provides support and capacity- building funds to First Nation communities working on the development of clean energy projects. To date, the NRT BCICEI has supported 56 projects in First Nations communities in each region of BC. The BCICEI is delivered in partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Province of British Columbia. Cole believes in a more diverse and innovative energy future for British Columbia. He draws on his background in political science and Indigenous knowledge to analyze policy options and provide recommendations. He has experience evaluating the viability and benefits of proposed clean energy projects and is familiar with project financing in First Nations communities, including the early-stage development costs.