SASKATOON — Power generation and expanding renewable energy projects will be the focus of Saskatchewan’s First Nations in the coming years, as they look forward to positioning themselves as a major player in the province’s expanding sector.
Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence president and CEO Sheldon Wuttunee said the partnerships established between Indigenous leaders and the provincial government will move projects in wind, solar, biomass and nuclear energy forward.
Wuttunee addressed the partnership between Indigenous communities and the provincial government with Crown Investments Corp. Minister Jeremy Harrison on Wednesday, May 27, during the second day of the three-day Saskatchewan First Nations Energy & Natural Resource Forum at Prairieland Park.
He added that First Nations leaders are moving beyond consultation roles to become equity owners, infrastructure partners and supply chain participants in major energy developments, taking on more prominent roles in the industry.
“What I think with our relationship with CIC and with SaskPower, the door is open for First Nations to really aspire to take the lead on any renewable projects that they’re interested in. Those opportunities are welcome, and they’re going to be supported by SaskPower in the future,” Wuttunee said.
He added that Saskatchewan First Nations are already building a strong track record in the renewable energy industry and are seeking greater leadership opportunities as global demand for clean energy continues to grow.
He said many First Nations across Saskatchewan are already involved in renewable projects ranging from large-scale wind and solar developments to smaller biomass initiatives, with Indigenous communities seeing the sector as a long-term economic opportunity for revenue and ownership.
“I think we’ve come forward as leaders in renewable energy development here in the province. Many of our nations are involved in small projects, including biomass projects. So, I think we aren’t going to move away from that space,” added Wuttunee.
He noted that First Nations are not only interested in participating in projects, but also in owning major infrastructure assets connected to renewable energy, as more industries look to alternative energy sources in a rapidly changing world.
“When we’re looking at participating in major projects, we become owners as well of those projects and those assets. Whether it’s nuclear equipment or infrastructure, we will also require the power for our own projects as those partnerships move forward,” Wuttunee added.
Harrison then highlighted northern infrastructure priorities, including SaskTel’s 5G expansion to increase connectivity in rural communities and the province's investment in transmission upgrades to improve reliability in northern Saskatchewan communities.
He mentioned the planned transmission lines along the Highway 155 corridor and between Island Falls and the E.B. Campbell hydroelectric station, with the long-term goal of a looped northern grid to support communities and future economic development.
Harrison added that the province is looking to expand natural gas projects into northern and underserved Indigenous communities, with SaskEnergy set to conduct a study to extend infrastructure in northwest Saskatchewan and other nearby First Nations communities.
“I have asked SaskEnergy to really take a very hard look at working with partners in northern Saskatchewan about how, in the long-term, that is an objective for the government to have gas infrastructure. We have natural gas infrastructure on the east side of La Ronge,” said Harrison.
He noted that SaskEnergy will also look into the west side of the province to develop a natural gas project that can support northwest communities, which will make a huge difference, in addition to the existing infrastructure in other parts of the province.
The Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, owned by the province’s 74 First Nations, is responsible for developing energy and natural resources within their Treaty lands and traditional territories.
