Anishinabek energized by powerful opportunities: First Nation group opens the door for wind farms, hydroelectric, biomass projects.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: ABORIGINAL

With Queen's Park wanting another 500 megawatts of renewable power for Ontario's energy grid, the Grand Council Chief for the Anishinabek Nation says the time is right to invest and help develop these projects on their territorial lands.

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After all, says John Beaucage, most of his member communities are in prime spots to catch wind and generate electricity that can benefit all of their communities.

Headquartered at Nipissing First Nation near North Bay, most of the 42-member communities of the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) ring the eastern and northern shore of Lakes Huron and Superior, as far south as Sarnia and north of Lake Nipigon.

"We see an enormous potential and there are all kinds of companies that are coming to our communities," said Beaucage.

Developers like Skypower and Brookfield Power have been literally knocking on the door of Beaucage's Parry Island home on the Wasauksing First Nation, and those of other chiefs', wanting to strike partnerships to use their lakefront locations.

Some progressive First Nation communities already have wind project partnerships that are past the drawing board stage and heading into capitalization.

Henvey Inlet, north of Parry Sound, signed a development deal with 401 Energy of Markham, and Wasauksing struck an agreement in principal with Toronto's Skypower Corporation, who are also working with Wikiwemikong on Manitoulin Island.

And it's not just wind, there are good site locations for run-of-the-river hydro dams and land for biomass projects.

Pic River First Nation receives millions from a hydroelectric station near Marathon and others are planning small scale power projects.

Exploring energy generation opportunities is part of Union of Ontario Indians' Economic Blueprint to eradicate poverty on reserves and make communities financially self-reliant.

Beaucage said there's no shortage of people who want to become partners, beyond just land lease holders.

"We see these kinds of projects as our casinos."

That's why Beaucage and Ontario Power Authority officials staged engagement sessions this past winter at community centres from Thunder Bay to...