Our Story
An inspiring project to connect nations together and strengthen local economies.
See the impact this project will have on our communities. Watch this video to see the steps we are taking to make Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project a reality.
Pikangikum Funding
Federal Government announces funding to connect Pikangikum First Nation to Ontario’s Power Grid.
“This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time - the community really needs this” says Chief Dean Owen,
Pikangikum and Wataynikaneyap Project
This is what the future holds.
It’s a first step, but an important step. In August, 2017, the Government of Canada announced a commitment of up to $60 million to build the Pikangikum Distribution Line Project. The plan is to connect Pikangikum First Nation to the power grid before the end of November 2018. Recently, 24 members of the community took part in a skills training program. These will be the first local hires when work begins to extend the grid to Pikangikum.
The project signals the beginning of connecting remote First Nations communities to the power grid. Pikangikum First Nation joined the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project in 2016. And as Dean Owen, Pikangikum’s Chief says, “within our area here there are 21 other communities that are anxiously waiting to have the same opportunity we are having right now…that’s my hope, to see these other communities shut dirty diesel down and quite polluting our lands.”
Pikangikum Power Line
On December 20 2018, Pikangikum for the first time in its history will be connected to the provincial power grid.
For decades, this community has survived and relied on diesel generators to power their home, their school, their airport until now.
