Two First Nations communities on Vancouver Island and one on the Central Coast stand to benefit from support from B.C.’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, a program launched by the provincial government in 2010.

Ditidaht First Nation is receiving $10,000 to support an advanced feasibility study on the proposed Little Nitinat River Hydropower Project. The Ditidaht aims to be the majority owner of the 4.6-megawatt run-of-river plant, which is expected to generate 15.7 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy a year for sale to BC Hydro. Revenues from power sales are expected to help the community to continue investing in a diverse economic development portfolio including forestry, tourism, and land development.

Lake Cowichan First Nation is receiving $30,000 to prepare an energy plan that looks at the community’s current energy efficiency and potential for new hydro and solar options. The nation wants to identify the best-chance renewable energy opportunities within its traditional territory that can offer spinoff opportunities for infrastructure upgrades, business diversification to create more jobs in tourism and commercial development, and support more independent social, health, cultural and education services.

On the Central Coast, the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation is receiving $40,000 to conduct a hydrological study and install three hydrometric gauges for a small-scale hydroelectric project on Vogel Creek near their small, remote community of Kingcome Village. The First Nation is pursuing the run-of-river proposal in hopes the community can switch from using electricity provided by a community-operated diesel generation system to clean, renewable energy.

Funding for these projects and other agreements is part of the Province's commitment to reconciliation with First Nations. This includes ensuring more nations are involved in economic opportunities that can make their communities and the rest of the province stronger.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“The Province is ensuring First Nations can participate in B.C.’s clean energy sector as they look to improve environmental sustainability and create new economic opportunities within their traditional territories. This helps develop job opportunities and healthy communities.”

Don McRae, MLA, Comox Valley –  

“Independence from diesel. Saving money. Exploring new economic prospects. Generating revenue. I applaud First Nations for looking to the BC First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to take advantage of these opportunities for their communities.”

Chief Councillor Robert Joseph, Ditidaht First Nation –

“We welcome development that is based on respecting our physical and cultural links to our lands, waters and resources for present and future generations. Renewable energy produced from this project will provide a revenue stream that, combined with additional projects, will allow us to afford training and employment opportunities for our members. Ditidaht will also ensure that revenues from the hydro project are reinvested into the community and will assist in the longer-term goals of the Nitinat Lake sustainable eco-tourism plans.”

Aaron Hamilton, operations manager, Lake Cowichan First Nation –

“We aim to utilize this funding to create the foundation for a sustainable energy development portfolio within our nation’s traditional territory. The goal is to have the energy planning be the first step to enabling our community to have long-term, economically sustainable development projects that provide our own sources of income, which can be reinvested into other cultural, social, and economic ventures that our community needs, therefore reducing dependence on public sector funding.”

Chief Willie Moon, Dzawada’enuxw First Nation –

“Thanks to the initial resources from the clean energy fund, our community can work towards using cleaner, renewable energy that fits with our community’s passion for our lands and the environment. At the same time, we can reduce our community’s fuel costs.”

Quick Facts:

• Ditidaht First Nation, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, has a population of 750 with 220 members living at Nitinat Lake and the majority in surrounding communities such as Port Alberni and the Cowichan Valley.
• Lake Cowichan First Nation’s reserve is on the north shore of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island. Home to approximately 30 people, the 39-hectare reserve borders the Town of Lake Cowichan.
• The Dzawada’enuxw First Nation community of Kingcome Village, with approximately 77 members, is located on the Central Coast of B.C., approximately 100 kms east of Port Hardy.
• The B.C. First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides equity funding of up to $500,000 and capacity development funding of up to $50,000 to support First Nations with feasibility studies or engagement with private sector proponents of clean energy projects.
• Since the fund was introduced in 2010, more than 110 First Nations communities have benefited from nearly $8.2 million in capacity and equity funding for participation in ocean and wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power, clean energy planning and related projects.
• The fund also allows First Nations with revenue-sharing agreements to receive a portion of water and land rents charged by the Province for new clean energy projects.
• B.C. has 42 clean energy revenue-sharing agreements with 33 First Nations.

Learn More:

B.C. First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund: ow.ly/3OE9304R4xS