Chris Henderson

Is a clean energy system sufficient to vitalize Canada’s future? In one word, No. To be truly impactful our country’s pathway towards net zero should embody Just Transition.

It is essential that Canada’s economy be powered by energy developed and delivered on the principles of equity, sustainability, and ecological integrity.

In many Indigenous traditions, North America is known as “Turtle Island” – terra firma surrounded by abundant oceans. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures are deeply and profoundly connected to all of the lands and waters of what we know today as Canada.

Thus, it is fair that the core components of a clean energy future – renewable energy projects, smart grids, and ground-breaking technologies – are brought online through Indigenous engagement, offering economic opportunity to First Peoples. Indigenous ownership of clean energy assets is equitable in spirit and substance. In essence, decolonizing power for a better Canada.

This is the national energy story being written. Over the past two decades through asserting their sovereign rights, Indigenous communities have catalyzed a sea change in Canada’s electricity system. Today, almost twenty percent of power generated across the country is owned, co-owned or carries a defined economic benefit for Indigenous peoples. This reality has been realized through forward-thinking electricity policy, and genuine collaboration between Indigenous communities, utilities, and private corporations.

The Giizis solar project in the community of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (KZA) on the western shore of Lake Nipigon in northern Ontario has displaced hundreds of thousands of liters of diesel fuel with clean power. Owned 100% by the community, the Giizis project is an economic generator – restoring relationships. It is but one of over 250 medium-to-large, and almost three thousand small renewable Indigenous clean energy projects that dot the landscape of Canada.

From this foundation, Indigenous communities are poised to do more. For our country’s energy map is dynamic, continually evolving, especially given the imperative to expand non carbon emitting sources to combat climate. Moreover, a Canadian economy based on energy electrification will need a vast amount of new power – two to three times more than now being consumed.

In this regard, certain clean energy prospects are crucially important.

The scale of renewable energy – wind, solar, hydro, bioenergy, earth, and ocean energy – will need to grow in leaps and bounds. That will mean forging agreements with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities who are the stewards of traditional lands and waters. This is not a preferred criteria or a check off box as a project is developed. It is a non-negotiable obligation that would exemplify a new Canada – a country that walks the talk of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the process of national Reconciliation.

Further, many renewable energy projects will have to be mega grade infrastructure to supply enough clean energy for a climate-friendly future. For example, big wind projects recently greenlighted in Quebec, and hefty footprint solar projects in construction or operation in Alberta – most of which have Indigenous partners. While small, decentralized renewable energy systems, such as micro-grids for remote and rural communities are timely, going big is vital to meet the electricity needs of burgeoning cities and Canada’s rapidly growing population.

There are tensions here as large-scale projects utilize swaths of acreage and may negatively impact the environment. Indigenous communities are particularly concerned about degradation of fishery, wildlife, medicines, traditional foods, and sacred lands and waters. Project development on a business-as-usual precept is a non-starter. We need intensive and sustained dialogue between renewable energy proponents and governments, and Indigenous and local communities exhibiting a new way of being based on collaborative decision-making. The practice of public fiat and corporate domination in the energy sector is so old school.

Electrifying Canada’s economy necessitates a wholesale upgrading of power grid infrastructure that accommodates intermittent renewable energy generation, and meets the demands of electricity-reliant transportation, heating/cooling, and industrial energy transformation. Enhanced electricity grids will require expanded transmission corridors, radically augmented energy storage and a Stars Wars array of new digital technologies.

On the surface one might conclude that Indigenous factors are not at play here. The opposite is in fact the case. New transmission infrastructure involves comprehensive permitting and some projects, like the Watay Power expansion in the far north of Ontario bring reliable electricity to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.

Indigenous communities are also moving with alacrity to partner on energy storage endeavours. The Oneida Energy Project spearheaded by the Six Nations Development Corporation in collaboration with Tesla and clean energy innovator NRStor will be the largest such initiative of its kind in the country. In the Atlantic region several projects which will produce hydrogen from wind energy are primed to break ground along with Indigenous collaboration; in part to meet Western Europe’s prominent commitment to climate action and diversification away from reliance on Russian oil and natural gas.

Finally, brain-busting clean energy technologies require innovation and entrepreneurship. Attributes that young, risk-taking Indigenous women and men, along with their non-Indigenous peers, posses in spades. Such hubs of Indigenous clean energy innovation are beginning to emerge in large cities notably Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Our country desperately needs the talent and acumen of these young Indigenous entrepreneurs and creators who posses a burning desire to alter our climate trajectory, fast.

Given the many positive to the current state-of-play with Indigenous clean energy across Turtle Island it would be tempting to conclude all is right in the world of policy. Yet, key transformations require accelerated discourse in the public policy town square, particularly within the two spheres of planning and people.

Firstly, the process of energy planning in most jurisdictions across Canada is fragmented, lacking strategic vision and comprehensive mindsets. We have yet to reform regulations, policies and fiscal mechanisms that integrate all energy sources and needs. For example, we continue to put hydrocarbons and renewables in different planning buckets. It would be more effective to look at all energy needs from the vantage point of the consumer and industry and align policy structures accordingly. Simply put, 21st century energy imperatives, including climate, need new connected planning frameworks that accords Indigenous people a prominent and equitable seat at the table.

Secondly, in large measure energy policy gives primacy to the twin goals of reliability and cost containment. However, should that be the full picture? What of other societal goals such as economic development? Nova Scotia imports almost one billion dollars of oil from other countries, mostly for transport and industry. Yet the province’s plentiful wind and bioenergy resources can be brought to market by Indigenous partnerships and coupled with large-scale energy storage, which is rapidly becoming more cost competitive. An attractive counterpoint to a subpar oil importation economy. That would mean jobs and economic returns for Nova Scotians, and Mi’kmaq communities in the province. Energy policy that puts people first is the sustainable approach for this era.

For Indigenous peoples and communities the clean energy future looks bright. It would be even brighter if public policy continues to evolve as articulated. Such big picture thinking would also advance our collective aspirations for a more just, sustainable, and ecologically affirmative Canada.  

Chris Henderson is Founding Executive Director of Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE), and President of Lumos Energy. He offers insightful national and global commentary informing the process of energy transition