KFN Chief & Council are proud to announce that a partnership with Enbridge has been signed and finalized. Enbridge approached KFN and asked if we would like to participate in a consortium on a major project. KFN Council then met and looked at the pros and cons, and we came away with the project being a win-win for everyone involved. This process took about 18 months since talks began, and today we announce it.
From the Enbridge website, “the Seven Stars Energy Project is centred in a 200-square-kilometre area of southern Saskatchewan, southeast of the city of Weyburn. It will be designed to produce 200 megawatts (MW) of power.
Enbridge will develop, build and operate the project with the support of Indigenous partners, including Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation, and White Bear First Nations. They have created a new entity, Six Nations Energy Development Limited Partnership (Six Nations), to steward investment in the project.
“This is Enbridge’s first Indigenous partnership focused on wind energy generation and our first Indigenous partnership in Saskatchewan,” says Matthew Akman, Enbridge’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and President of our Power group. “Partnerships of this nature are increasingly important in North America’s energy future and we’re very proud to be one of the seven stars who will be advancing this important renewable project.”
Speaking for Kahkewistahaw First Nation, I am proud of this partnership, as now KFN is genuinely trying to do its part for positive climate change. Not only that, but we own a stake in a major project coalition with a 5% share in this renewable green energy project.
This partnership will provide KFN with approximately $500k in yearly revenue for the next 35 years. These dollars will help offset funding for the First Nations programs.
More information can be found at:
I am personally happy about this progress. Years ago, my mentor, Chief Denton George, opposed Enbridge’s expansion on our traditional territory because our people were never invited to the table. Now, we sit at the table and have leverage, as in Canada, our rights are becoming increasingly recognized. This is a good deal for our first nation and now opens doors for other partnerships with major industry players.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
On behalf of the KFN Council,
Chief Evan Taypotat
Seven Stars Energy Project signing ceremony. From left: Honourable Jeremy Harrison (Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export Development); Matthew Akman (Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and President, Power, Enbridge); Jake Sinclair, President, Six Nations Energy Development LP; Chief Byron Bitternose (George Gordon First Nation); President Glen McCallum (Metis Nation-Saskatchewan); Chief Matthew Peigan (Pasqua First Nation); Chief Erica Beaudin (Cowessess First Nation); Chief Evan Taypotat (Kahkewistahaw First Nation); Councillor Brett Standingready (White Bear First Nations); Colin Gruending (Executive Vice President and President, Liquids Pipelines, Enbridge); Honourable Dustin Duncan (Saskatchewan Minister of Crown Investments Corporation); and Rupen Pandya (CEO, SaskPower).
