2025 CanREA Woman of Renewable Energy Award
Tanna M. Pirie-Wilson
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – In a historic first for the WiRE & CanREA Woman of Renewable Energy Award, the 2025 honor was presented to two exceptional leaders: Tanna M. Pirie-Wilson and Michelle Chislett, an accomplished energy sector executive. The prestigious award was presented at the Electricity Transformation Canada Conference, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the renewable energy sector.
This article focuses on Tanna M. Pirie-Wilson, a powerful force for change and a visionary leader whose work is deeply rooted in her heritage and a commitment to a sustainable future for all. A proud Wolastoqiyik (People of the Beautiful and Bountiful River) from the Nekutkuk Maliseet Nation (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick, Tanna’s career is a testament to her dedication to her community and to advancing Indigenous and environmental rights.
After a distinguished 15-year career in the federal public service, Tanna returned to her community to break barriers, becoming the first woman to serve as both Senior Band Administrator and CEO of Band-Owned Enterprises for Tobique First Nation. It was in this role that she led her community to develop the Wocawson Wind Farm, a project that not only advanced clean energy but also created own-source revenues that have helped fund vital community programs, including housing and youth initiatives. She also played a leading role in other projects such as the Burchill Wind Project and a CIHR-funded research program, We Lived This Way Before. As part of A SHARED Future, Tanna co-chaired the research and mentored women from her community to explore how Indigenous leadership in clean energy fosters healing, knowledge sharing, and sustainable, self-determined futures.
An unwavering advocate for her people, Tanna has dedicated over two decades to championing Indigenous inclusion and participation. She shares her knowledge as a consultant for Han Martin Associates and Tanna Pirie Associates. She also works with Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) where she mentors and empowers the next generation of Indigenous leaders in the energy space. She has mentored more than 20 youth in her own community and served as an "Auntie in Residence" for the IMAGENATION Generation Power Cohort. She was also a three-year member of the Board of Directors for Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE), where she brought a wealth of government, strategic, and traditional knowledge to guide the organization toward a more sustainable future.
Tanna’s work is driven by a simple yet profound goal: to apply her skills and knowledge to help communities plan and prepare for a more sustainable, clean future for all generations to come. Her receipt of the 2025 WiRE & CanREA Woman of Renewable Energy Award is a well-deserved recognition of her transformative leadership, her deep passion for her community, and her tireless efforts to ensure Indigenous voices not only have a seat at the table but also lead the way forward
