New partnership signal economic development employment opportunities for eight Lake Huron Region First Nations

By Rick Garrick

MISSISSAUGA #8 FIRST NATION — A group of eight First Nations in the Lake Huron Region are looking forward to economic development and employment opportunities through a partnership with Hydro One on two transmission line projects between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. The partnership includes the Anishinabek Nation member First Nations of Garden River, Thessalon, Mississauga #8, Serpent River, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and Wahnapitae, as well as Batchewana and Sagamok Anishnawbek.

“We’re very happy that Hydro One approached us to submit as a partner in building these two transmission lines and it looks as if now that Hydro One has been chosen as the proponent of these lines with eight First Nations as partners,” says Mississauga #8 Chief Bob Chiblow, noting there will be a lot of opportunity for contractors and other citizens during the construction of the transmission lines. “We’re intending on them being contracted to do a lot of the groundwork, as well as opportunities being provided to our youth in the form of apprenticeships. And then when the line actually is active and there is power running through it, there will be money generated through the partnership coming back to the communities.”

Chiblow says they are committed to participating in Hydro One’s equity partnership model, which was launched in 2022 to provide First Nations with the opportunity to invest as equal partners in new large-scale transmission line projects, and in securing revenue sharing benefits that can support economic stability and improved well-being for years to come.

“We’re happy that they decided to come to us for support,” Chiblow says. “That’s the kind of things we’re looking for when we’re dealing with industry or any type of people doing any type of projects in our traditional territory.”

The Independent Electricity System Operator published a report in 2022 identifying the electricity needs to support anticipated growth in the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury area.

“We, as collective First Nations, believe in advancing self-determination through economic development and building strong partnerships with industry,” says Garden River Chief Andy Rickard. “We are ready to continue to advance our collective partnership negotiations with Hydro One on behalf of our communities.”

Evan Belleau, energy advisor for Garden River, says the eight First Nations created an energy entity for the project called Nshwaasi Energy.

“Entering into the 50-50 partnership, we anticipate employment opportunities to be a part of the construction [and to be] directly involved with consultation with Hydro One as to how the project will look going forward,” Belleau says. “Being 50-50 partners affords great opportunities as far as capacity development in Garden River in particular but in the eight communities as well.”

The two proposed transmission lines include a 205-kilometre 500 kV transmission line from the Hanmer Transformer Station in Sudbury to the Mississagi Transformer Station west of Sudbury and a 75-kilometre 230 kV transmission line from the Mississagi Transformer Station to the Third Line Transformer Station in Sault Ste Marie.

“Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is extremely proud to work with our sister nations along the North Shore corridor on the two transmission lines that will cross our traditional territories,” says Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Gimaa Craig Nootchtai. “We are also committed to working with Hydro One as our partner in this endeavour and thank the organization for creating a strong relationship with us.”

Penny Favel, vice-president, Indigenous relations, sustainability and president and CEO, Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., says Hydro One is grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership on the two projects and to explore how they can learn from each other.

“Hydro One is committed to advancing meaningful action on economic reconciliation so that First Nations can lead and benefit from transmission lines in their territory for generations to come,” Favel says.