Fort William First Nation partners with Hydro One Inc. to bring clean electricity to northwestern Ontario

By Rick Garrick

SHUNIAH — Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon stressed the importance of the Waasigan Transmission Line in northwestern Ontario during its groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 22 at the Lakehead Transformer Station (TS) in Shuniah. Fort William is one of nine First Nations that have partnered with Hydro One Inc. on the Waasigan Transmission Line, which includes a new double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from the Lakehead TS to the Mackenzie TS in Atikokan and a new single-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from the Mackenzie TS to the Dryden TS in Dryden. It is expected to bring about 350 megawatts of clean electricity to northwestern Ontario.

“It’s really humbling to be here and to be in the presence of so many people that have contributed so much of themselves and their care for their communities to bring this project, this partnership to where it is today,” Chief Solomon says. “I take no credit for the work that was done before I got here and I really owe respect and acknowledgement to former Chief Peter Collins and all the work he did for this partnership to come to where it is and the leadership that worked alongside of him in this.”

Chief Solomon also acknowledged the leadership of the other eight First Nations that are involved in the partnership: Eagle Lake, Gakijiwanong, Lac des Mille Lacs, Lac Seul, Nigigoonsiminikaaning, Saugeen, Seine River, and Wabigoon Lake.

“Special acknowledgement as well to Hydro One for taking the step towards true economic reconciliation — there’s a lot of industry and companies out there that speak to economic reconciliation but they haven’t yet put action to those plans and to those words, so I want to acknowledge your work to make sure that you’re doing true partnership, true reconciliation so that there can be true economic benefits to our First Nations in this project,” Chief Solomon says. “Special thanks also to making sure that the traditional knowledge has been part of this project in every step of the way, making sure that we are respecting the lands and the territories that this line will cross.”

David Lebeter, president and CEO at Hydro One, says the Waasigan Transmission Line project changed the way they build new large-scale transmission line projects with the launch of their industry-leading 50-50 equity partnership model.

“It’s become a standard for us now — we have nine transmission projects, eight in addition to this one, that we’re working on in different phases of design and construction and each one of those will have the same partnership opportunities (for) the Indigenous nations whose traditional territories we traverse,” Lebeter says. “And more important than the equity partnership is the lessons you’ve taught us, you’ve showed us how to look after the land, you’ve brought your traditional knowledge forward and you’ve stood beside us as we have to navigate the many complex phases of permitting, getting consent from partners and the public to build the transmission line.”

Daniel Morriseau, president at Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership (GLP) and a Red Rock Indian Band citizen, says the groundbreaking marks a major achievement for GLP, which represents eight of the nine partner First Nations including Fort William.

“We have worked tirelessly over the past several years with our community Elders, leadership, and members to ensure that this project respected our Anishinaabe teachings, protected our cultural values, and would be undertaken in a way to protect and preserve our land for all future generations to come,” Morriseau says. “Today, we stand together proudly as partnering First Nations to reflect on all we have been able to achieve and give thanks to all of our community members who have contributed to the success of this project along the way, including those that are no longer with us. We will continue to work with our partners to develop the project in a good way and look forward to seeing our communities and people benefit as the project advances.”

Collins, CEO at Chi Mino Ozhitoowin, says the Waasigan Transmission Line project is “an important step” that creates jobs and opportunities for all of the communities.

“The construction will probably start next week,” Collins says. “There’s probably 200-300 people being involved in this project in many different stages, so it’s our job at Chi Mino Ozhitoowin is making sure our First Nation contractors and our folks are ready for the opportunities.”

Shuniah Mayor Wendy Landry, a Red Rock Indian Band citizen and president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, says her community is super happy to be part of the Waasigan Transmission Line project.

“[We’ve] been at the roundtable for over six years now and saw it from conception to fruition so it’s an exciting day,” Landry says. “It’s definitely going to help our economic development for all of the different mining and industry in this area from Shuniah all the way west. It definitely brings more power online and that’s what we’ve been advocating for for a very long time.”