An agreement with the B.C. government will enable the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations to share revenue from the Haa-ak-suuk Creek Power Project.

The agreement will see revenue from the clean-energy project invested back into the community, as part of Tla-o-qui-aht's ongoing economic development initiatives.

The revenue-sharing agreement is enabled by B.C.'s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which aims to promote increased First Nations participation in the clean-energy sector. The Haa-ak-suuk Creek agreement is the second revenue-sharing agreement to be signed under the fund.

Once the project is fully operational, the revenue to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations is forecast to be approximately $38,000 per year over the life of the project.

The Haa-ak-suuk Creek Power Project was previously the recipient of equity funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund. In 2012, the fund provided $500,000 in equity funding required to finance construction of the run-of-river project.

The signing of this agreement means that B.C. has reached a total of 19 non-treaty agreements since the BC Jobs Plan was launched in 2011.This agreement is also the first of the 10 new non-treaty agreements B.C. has committed to reaching over the next two years.

Quotes:

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad -

"This agreement marks the latest chapter in the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations' entrepreneurial success story. Through the BC Jobs Plan, our government is committed to helping First Nations to engage in and benefit from B.C.'s resource sector, and the partnerships we have reached with Tla-o-qui-aht are textbook examples of how our approach works."

Chief Councillor Moses Martin -

"The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations welcome the opportunity to share the wealth created by sustainable development within its territory with the Province of British Columbia. Haa-ak-suuk Creek is the second in a number of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations renewable energy projects which, when they are completed, will power one out of every 12 of Vancouver Island homes. Taking care of the land and sharing what we have has always been a part of our tradition, it is our way."

Quick Facts:

• The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides money to build capacity in First Nations communities and invest in clean-energy infrastructure.

• Since 2011, the provincial government has invested approximately $3.8 million to support clean-energy opportunities in 70 Aboriginal communities throughout B.C., including wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power and clean-energy planning.

• Earlier this year, B.C. and the Tahltan Nation signed the first revenue-sharing agreement reached under the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

• The clean-energy technology industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68 per cent of which were formed in the past decade.

Learn More:

For more information about the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund and how to apply, call 1 800 880-1022 toll-free or visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fncebf.html

Media Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211