About
Wataynikaneyap Power LP is a licensed transmission company majority-owned by a partnership of 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors. To ultimately connect 17 remote First Nations to the electrical grid, Wataynikaneyap Power developed, managed construction, and is now operating approximately 1,800 kilometres of 230 kV, 115 kV, and 44 kV lines and 22 substations in northwestern Ontario.
The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system is the only Anishinaabeg and Anishininiwag-led transmission system that has been established. 24 First Nations working together and controlling development of infrastructure on the Homelands is unprecedented and will be a catalyst for greater prosperity and economic self-determination.
Wataynikaneyap means “line that brings light” in Anishininiimowin, named by the Elders who provided guidance to the partners.
Vision
Wataynikaneyap Power’s majority First Nation ownership’s vision is 100% ownership and safe operation of major transmission infrastructure in the Homelands. Ownership will ensure meaningful participation, involvement in the benefits, and opportunities for future generations. Reliable power will bring community development and improvements to community infrastructure.
Mandate
In 2008, the Central Corridor Energy Group established two mandates to pursue the Wataynikaneyap Power project:
- Provide reliable and accessible energy by connecting remote First Nations to the provincial grid
- Work in partnership to explore transmission development and ownership
Both these mandates continue to direct the operations of the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system.
Guiding Principles
Wataynikaneyap Power’s leaders also established the Guiding Principles, endorsed by its partners, that set out expectations for the project’s development.
Our people expect that the Wataynikaneyap Power Project will be undertaken in a manner that respects our lands, rights and principles; our way of life on the land and as part of the land; and our land sharing protocols.
The Project shall respect confidentiality and comply with any conditions of use for any Traditional Land and Resource Use information provided by the communities, including intellectual property.
Our communities must maintain decision-making and ownership, and receive benefits in the Project.
Wataynikaneyap is currently engaging the Participating First Nations to reaffirm and reinvigorate the vision, mandate, and Guiding Principles for operations.
Our sacred responsibilities given to us by the Creator are to protect the land, which protects us in return. Therefore the Project shall be built, operated and maintained in a way that minimizes adverse environmental impacts, as follows:
- The Project shall not poison the lands;
- No herbicides shall be used throughout the life of the transmission line to control vegetation;
- The Project shall be constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that observes and does not interfere with seasonal hunting, trapping, fishing and harvesting and keeps disturbances to a minimum;
- No new transmission lines shall be located underwater; and
- The Project will develop and implement an environmental and social management plan which will include acceptable and effective mitigation measures for any sacred sites, gathering sites, and harvesting sites.
Wataynikaneyap Power & Ontario’s Electricity System
ᐘᑌᓂᑲᓂᔭᑊ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ & ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᐅ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐏᔭᑊ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐏᐣ
