Indigenous communities across Canada are a powerful force for change in the country’s transition to a clean energy future. Apart from crown and private utilities, Indigenous communities and enterprises are the largest single owner of clean energy assets. It would be fair to describe Indigenous people as the country’s strongest clean energy community.
For context:
Read more about Indigenous-led clean energy action in: Accelerating Transition.
The map below showcases many of the medium-large (over 1MW) clean energy projects, transmission, and energy efficiency projects described above. Over time, and with your input, we can grow the map to reflect the hundreds of smaller projects and initiatives that Indigenous communities have championed.
If you know of a project that isn't on the map, let us know by clicking: ‘Add a Project’ to right so we can add it!
See a change that needs to be made? Click ‘Suggest a Change’ on the right, so we can update it!
Note: All locations are approximate.
Some of these projects are not in any way "Indigenous-Led"... The large scale hydro projects you have showcased here were pushed through with very little, if any, consultation or consent. Especially the projects from the 60's or 70's, such as the Grand Rapids dam. Measly compensation agreements did not make amends for the destruction to the land base those communities sustain themselves on. Even new ones, such as Keeyask, are full of contradictions. Flooding is ongoing right now and there is community opposition currently too. Might need to look at FB for info instead of mainstream media
Mathew, thanks for your comment, and there is some real validity with the points you raised. However, there are two dimensions to the inclusion of projects in the ICE 'Accelerating Transition' report, and related database. Firstly, ICE does state the Indigenous leadership does include partnerships with entities including utilities and clean energy project developers, among others. In projects such as Keeyask there are defined agreements that set out both the nature of the project-Indigenous relationship. It would be fair to critique and say such agreements should have been more equitable, and true partnerships. And, we sure need better, and that is a position the ICE has consistently advocated for, and we support the efforts you and others are taking to push for true partnerships and benefit arrangements. However, the second basis of the Indigenous leadership/participation in projects is also highly pertinent, namely, the defined nature of financial and other benefits that flow from projects to the pertinent Indigenous communities. Where these benefits are clearly set out, and particularly where there is Indigenous agreement (albeit there may be differences of view at the community level), we include projects in the ICE Indigenous clean energy database and project tracking. ICE also looks at facts, data and agreements, which often involve us being in contact with Indigenous communities directly. Where there has been no community agreement, we do NOT include them in the tracking of Indigenous clean energy projects, and the related ICE database. Sometimes, we, too at ICE are dismayed at the low benefits Indigenous communities receive from projects, such as with the the Grand Rapids Dam in Manitoba. However, we do believe that we need to respect where a community has signed a benefits agreements, even it is minimal. Hope that provides some further information, and I do appreciate your frank comment and critique. Mathew Scammell
is requesting access to a wiki that you have locked: https://icenet.work/wiki/view/4174/clean-energy-project-map