Net zero can’t happen without Indigenous knowledge and participation

Economic reconciliation is central to Canada’s efforts to reach carbon net zero — and in the energy sector, it makes good business sense. Our community, Henvey Inlet First Nation (HIFN), which is near Georgian Bay, has been transformed by the Henvey Inlet Wind Project (HIW), a joint initiative between our subsidiary, Nigig Power Corporation, and Pattern Energy.

We developed a partnership model that worked for our people and hope it serves as a transferable framework for fellow First Nations, business and government leaders as they explore economic development opportunities.

Like many Indigenous communities, we wanted a better future for our people that included improved infrastructure, health services, job opportunities and reduced reliance on fossil fuels and federal funds. 

However, taking control of our future could not come at the expense of the environment, wildlife, water and vegetation that sustains us.

The process of conceiving, developing, and operating a renewable energy project has given our nation the building blocks to achieve autonomy and self-determination. For us, renewable energy made sense.

Many challenges presented themselves, including navigating our way out of the Indian Act and developing a land management regime under the First Nations Lands Management Act (FNLMA). It took years to match and, in many cases, surpass provincial and federal environmental regulations while ensuring our community’s values regarding ecological stewardship and cultural connection to our lands were embedded into any land laws we created.

The result was worth it — we now have a rigorous legal system, created for us by us, to govern our lands, protect our sacred cultural sites, species at risk, the wetlands and more.

First Nations must have an active leadership role and an equity stake in clean energy projects. An equity stake supports self-determination and provides a path to economic reconciliation. It is not enough to “let” us have a say, we need to be equal partners at the decision-making table.

For us, our partnership meant learning about the technical side of wind energy. For Pattern, it meant learning how to incorporate our culture and values into every aspect of the project.

Our community was the first to establish an Indigenous-led model of environmental sustainability under the FNLMA. Working with industry experts, Canada Wildlife Service, hiring an environmental commissioner and community participation, has helped us become our own environmental protection agency.

An Anishinabek value is considering whether a decision will benefit the next seven generations. We created the Eastern Georgian Bay Initiative to mitigate any long-term impacts of the wind project and support the conservation of biodiversity and species at risk in Eastern Georgian Bay.

Reserves were set aside under various treaties to provide First Nations with an economic base. They are particularly advantageous for renewable energy projects as they often yield high economic benefits with minimal environmental impact. Our people have been stewards of the eastern shores of Georgian Bay since time immemorial, so this is paramount.

Indigenous perspectives regarding environmental stewardship and natural resource management offer immense value for reaching net zero emissions and achieving more sustainable outcomes in the energy transition.

In fact, they will help us leave behind a better world for the next seven generations.

Wayne McQuabbie is the chief of Henvey Inlet First Nation; Gregory Newton and John Beaucage serve as CEO and vice president, respectively, of Nigig Power Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Henvey Inlet First Nation.