Hydro One has made a historic partnership with five area First Nations to split transmission line ownership in the area.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and Walpole Island First Nation now own 50 per cent of the transmission line from Chatham to Lakeshore.
“This agreement reflects a level of trust that has not always existed in infrastructure development,” said Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas. “Our partnership with Hydro One is built on transparency, respect and shared responsibility, and that leads to decisions that better serve our communities and the electricity system as a whole.”
The five First Nation groups invested in the transmission line build that was completed a year early and came in $30 million under budget.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation announced their involvement earlier this year.
"This partnership with Hydro One is a powerful step toward economic sovereignty and long-term prosperity for our Nations. It affirms our strength, our vision and our rightful place at the economic table," Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin added. "For generations, infrastructure has moved forward in our territories without consent and without our voices. This marks a turning point."
The announcement was made on Friday, with this being the first project through Hydro One's industry-leading First Nation Equity Partnership Model.
