First Nations to discuss hydroelectric projects in Yukon

In Whitehorse this week, First Nations will gather to discuss their experiences with the industry both good and bad, as aFirst Nations Energy Forum is being hosted by theCouncil of Yukon First Nations and the Yukon Development Corporation.

The experience of First Nations with hydroelectric projects acrossCanada hashistoricallybeenmixed, withmany examples of projects gone wrong.

Most famously, aclash between Hydro-Qubecand the James Bay Creeled to community conflict, political uprisingand even blockades.

Despite that history,today, manyFirst Nations are looking at hydro power as aninvestmentin their future.

One guest is Byron Leclerc, director of energy projects for thePik River First Nation. The nation,based in Ontario, isplanning a hydroelectric facility that willsupply 12,500 homes with electricity each year.

Another speaker is engineer Marc Morin, president of a renewable energy developerowned by the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan First Nation in Quebec. Morin recently worked on the16-megawatt Val Jalbert hydroelectric station completed inVal-Jalbert, Quebec. That project was supported by local Innu communities, but faced opposition and petitionsfrom the nearbyMashteuiash First Nations Reserve.

Lisa Badenhorst works with the Yukon Development Corporation, which isreviewing potential sites for the territory's next hydroelectric project.

"The Yukon First Nations are obviously a big part of the energy development of the territory," Badenhorst says.

She describes this week'ssessions as centred"mostly around the opportunities that are available. What do the business, financial and partnership opportunities in energy development look like?

"What do they look like outside the Yukon?What could they look like inside the Yukon?"

Speakers are travelling from First Nations in Quebec, Saskatchewan,British Columbia,and Ontario.

A public session with the speakers is scheduled for May 28at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre from 7 to 9 p.m.

Organizers saypresentations will be posted at www.nextgenerationhydro.ca.