The concept of economic reconciliation with First Nations is often evoked. But what does it actually mean?
This means that First Nations must be consulted from the earliest stages of a project’s development. It means that no project can see the light of day without the active participation of First Nations.
In his column in Les Affaires, Ken Rock says that words are fine, but actions are better.
“It’s time to say it loud and clear: economic reconciliation is neither a slogan nor a formality. It’s a unique opportunity to rethink our business models, innovate and create shared prosperity,” says Ken Rock.
Développement PEK is proud to contribute to the development and operation of several energy projects in which First Nations play an important role.
The year 2025 is already well underway as January draws to a close. Développement PEK will continue to put its expertise at the service of client companies.
Here is a brief summary of the projects currently being developed in which the community of Mashteuiatsh has agreed to be a partner.
Énergie Communautaire de la Rivière Batiscan
Various analyses will be carried out in order to obtain the data necessary to properly evaluate the project to revive the Saint-Narcisse power plant. In particular, an inspection of the intake gallery and an evaluation of the plant’s equipment will be carried out.
The information and consultation process will continue with consultations with the First Nations involved in the project, and targeted meetings with local organizations and Hydro-Québec.
In light of the results of the analyses, an informed decision as to whether or not the project will go ahead will be made by the administrators of Énergie Communautaire de la Rivière Batiscan. If so, the first work could begin towards the end of 2025.
The environmental impact study is currently being drawn up. It should be submitted to the ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs in the next few weeks.
Subsequently, the environmental assessment will move on to the next stage, involving public participation and environmental analysis. Detailed engineering and discussions on the conclusion of an energy sales contract with Hydro-Québec are also planned.
Énergie Matawak still plans to start construction towards the end of 2025. Commissioning is anticipated for the end of 2027.
Onimiki Renewable Energy will hold new information and consultation meetings this spring with the population and organizations concerned by the project.
The information and consultation process will thus make it possible to discuss the issues in order to improve the project concept and directly integrate these modifications into the impact study, if necessary. Moreover, the study should be submitted to the ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs in the fall of 2025.
Le développement du projet se poursuivra alors que l’étape de l’ingénierie détaillée devrait s’amorcer. Énergie Renouvelable Onimiki s’assurera de maintenir de bonnes relations avec Hydro-Québec en prévision de discussions à tenir pour conclure un contrat de vente d’énergie.
Développement PEK continues to manage and operate the power plants of its client companies. In fact, the Val-Jalbert mini power plant will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its commissioning in 2025. This will be an opportunity to showcase this mini power plant, which is an exceptional calling card for the energy sector.
The community energy concept developed by the community of Mashteuiatsh is attracting attention throughout Quebec. Having access to equitable benefits by developing resources in a responsible manner has convinced several communities to develop this type of project.
Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan has been approached to get involved in several projects throughout Quebec. The community thus shares the expertise and will be able to benefit from new sources of independent income. The projects currently being developed are those led by Énergie Matawak, Onimiki Renewable Energy and Énergie Communautaire de la Rivière Batiscan. The Développemebt PEK team acts as a service provider for each of the companies.
The Énergie Matawak project is being carried out jointly with the Conseil des Attikamekw de Manawan and the MRC de Matawinie. It consists of installing a mini power plant on the Matawin dam, a water regulation structure operated by Hydro-Québec in the Lanaudière region.
The Onimiki Renewable Energy Project is being developed with Kebaowek First Nation, Wolf Lake First Nation and the MRC de Témiscamingue. It aims to develop the hydroelectric potential of the Kipawa reservoir by building two hydroelectric power stations.
Communication is at the heart of any development project. Each company has a website, a newsletter, a Facebook page and an email address. Anyone interested is invited to find out more via the following links.
“The bear print is not just a symbol. It’s a movement that affirms our identity,” states the First Nations Identification website.
As a non-profit organization owned by Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan, Développement PEK is proud to perpetuate the culture of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh. Our collaborations with other nations also enrich this culture.
Over the past few months, Développement PEK has given a great deal of thought to ways of further emphasizing this unique identity to team members and collaborators alike, in order to carry out our role successfully.
Obtaining First Nations Identification certification is an important step in this process, which will take us even further in our evolution.
Développement PEK is proud to operate and develop community energy projects with this vision in mind.
La réconciliation économique représente une avenue pour plusieurs Premières Nations de prendre en main leur développement en utilisant les ressources de leur territoire ancestral. One of these avenues is through partnerships to establish fair and equitable relationships.
In an article published in Le Devoir, Alexandre Bacon, founding president and senior advisor of the Ashukan Institute, cites as an example the Mashteuiatsh community’s decision to develop its territory’s energy resources at the turn of the 1990s. This decision led to the construction of the Minashtuk power station on the Mistassibi River. This first project paved the way for other partnerships to develop mini-power stations.
Today, the community is taking advantage of this experience to develop new renewable energy projects, and is looking to the future.
Chief Gilbert Dominique of Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, ChiefVivianne Chilton of Conseil des Attikamekw de Wemotaci, Grand chief Rémy Vincent of Nation huronne-wendat, and Guy Veillette, mayor of Saint-Narcisse and prefect of the MRC des Chenaux. (Photo : Énergie communautaire de la rivière Batiscan)
The Saint-Narcisse municipality, the Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci, the Nation huronne-wendat, Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan and the MRC des Chenaux have entered into an historic partnership to carry out the project to revive the Saint-Narcisse generating station currently owned by Hydro-Québec under the community energy formula.
The five communities have ratified their agreement to create the limited partnership Énergie communautaire de la rivière Batiscan. This new organization will be responsible for bringing the project to fruition.
“We are more mobilized than ever to breathe new life into this power station. I’m particularly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our partners in the Atikamekw, Huron-Wendat and Innu nations to bring this project to fruition. There are still a number of stages to go through before we can hope to get the power station up and running again, but today’s event gives us every hope of succeeding, and thus fostering the development of our respective communities“, noted Guy Veillette, mayor of Saint-Narcisse and prefect of the MRC des Chenaux.
“First Nations must be involved if we are to achieve our energy transition objectives. This project proves that it is possible to unite our efforts and establish true nation-to-nation relations,” said Vivianne Chilton, Chief of the Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci.
“The Huron-Wendat Nation is proud to join forces with its Atikamekw and Innu brothers and sisters, as well as the municipality of Saint-Narcisse and the MRC des Chenaux, for the relaunch of the Saint-Narcisse power plant. By generating tangible spinoffs for the local environment, both allochthonous and aboriginal, this community project will provide tangible proof that true reconciliation with First Nations depends in large part on economic development. The Huron-Wendat Nation is recognized as a key partner in the economic projects that take place on its territory, and this one is no exception,” says Rémy Vincent, Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation.
The Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation was invited to join the project because of the expertise it has developed over more than 20 years in renewable community energy projects. With this formula, the benefits generated by the projects accrue entirely to the partners. Développement PEK, a non-profit organization 100% owned by the community, will provide the resources and expertise needed to carry out such a project.
“Our First Nation is very proud to be part of this partnership. It’s a great recognition of the expertise we’ve developed in this field. The community energy model has proven to be a winning approach for all partners. We hope that our model will continue to be exported, so that we can continue to create development opportunities for other communities and other First Nations,” says Gilbert Dominique, Chief of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation.
The municipality of Saint-Narcisse holds a 30% stake in the limited partnership. The Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci, the Huron-Wendat Nation and Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan (Lac-Saint-Jean Innu First Nation) each hold 20%. The MRC des Chenaux owns 10%.
Next steps
The incorporation of Énergie communautaire de la rivière Batiscan, a Limited Partnership, is one of the first steps in the project. Each partner will appoint non-elected directors to represent them on the partnership. It is this board of directors that will make the decisions concerning the project from now on.
Hydro-Québec is currently analyzing the possibility of allowing the community to bring the Saint-Narcisse hydroelectric facility back into operation, as well as the conditions surrounding this eventuality. An initial visit to the facilities was made in recent weeks, and discussions are continuing.
A development plan will be drawn up in the near future to provide a clearer picture of the costs involved in the refurbishment, as well as a more precise timetable. More details will be released in the coming months.
We will ensure that the public and organizations concerned by the project are well informed and consulted at every stage.
During the presentation of Hydro-Québec’s 2035 action plan to elected officials in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, Mathieu Johnson, Hydro-Québec’s Vice-President of Strategy and Development, pointed out that there were several possible ways of achieving the set objectives.
By 2035, Hydro-Québec aims to add 8,000 to 9,000 megawatts of power.
One way of doing this is through community energy development projects.
The realization of community energy projects for Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan and its partners is at the heart of Développement PEK’s mission. This openness can only benefit communities.
The Chief of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, Gilbert Dominique, wants his community to develop wind power projects. The Chamouchouane sector near La Doré has a development potential of 600 MW. He hopes to develop an equal relationship with Hydro-Québec. He also believes that his community is capable of developing wind power projects in the same way it has developed mini-hydro projects.
Développement PEK, a non-profit organization created to support the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation in the development of energy projects, is preparing to play an important role in the development of this sector, in keeping with the mandate entrusted to us by the council.
After developing community dam projects in Lac-Saint-Jean, Mashteuiatsh is now being asked to share its expertise with other regions of Quebec.
Le Quotidien features a series of articles on the expertise developed by the community, the projects currently under development and the benefits generated by the projects.
Among them is the project developed by Énergie Matawak, which was confirmed on February 7, 2024.
Hydro-Québec recently unveiled its action plan entitled « Towards a Decarbonized and Prosperous Québec ». In addition to increasing production and developing new projects, the company also mentioned that working more closely with Aboriginal communities was among its priorities.
As a non-profit organization 100% owned by Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan, Développement PEK will closely follow discussions between the company and Indigenous communities. We will be ready to play the role entrusted to us by the council.
In his column, Ken Rock illustrates the challenge of economic reconciliation with Hydro-Québec. To read the article, click here.
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