SASKATOON — Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Chief Daryl Watson said First Nations communities have a responsibility to the environment and that's why the formation of an Indigenous-led enterprise that advances the use of renewable energy resources suits their partnership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and MiEnergy.
“It reinforces the First Nations perspective as relates to green technology and being the original caretakers of this land, we have the responsibility to the environment,” said Watson after Thursday’s announcement of their partnership forming miEnergy North America at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre’s Courtyard Room.
The nine First Nations under the MLTC — Birch Narrows Dene Nations, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Canoe Lake Cree Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation, English River First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation and Waterhen Lake First Nation — and the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak will benefit from the partnership.
Watson said the partnership is an investment that had Indigenous Peoples actively owning a company that promotes the use of renewable energy — like solar and geothermal — as an alternative source.
“As First Nations, this partnership is perfect for our ideas of having an economy that sustains the environment and that will also help Indigenous communities. The whole intent of this opportunity, presented by our Tribal Council, is to look at the communities that have strong governance structures within their organizations and our economic development,” said Watson.
“This venture is probably among one of the strongest governance structures from First Nations in the country. We don’t usually brag and we fly below the radar, but we do multimillion-dollar transactions every year. And we need to encourage our younger people to start taking on the responsibility of guiding our companies.”
He added that they need First Nations youth with MBAs, lawyers and engineers to step up to guide their companies that would help their communities.
“That is the hope and aspiration of our community. To ensure that our young people have their rightful place going down the road.”
Kevin Bergeron, miEnergy president and chief executive officer, said contracts and projects are not limited to the province or the country as they are looking to expand their operations outside of Canada.
“Our first couple of projects are in Saskatchewan. The ones that we’re currently working on collectively together, as a partnership. We have lots of opportunities right now and we’re exploring in Alberta and are quite far along in discussions with some other entities to add value. Certainly, we are not limited to the province and Canada,” said Bergeron.
“We aspire to take this internationally and we’re actively working towards that right now. Each partner in this partnership is committed to making this a success and in funding the opportunities to make sure that we can make miEnergy North America the entity that we all believe can be.”
MLTC Chief Richard Ben, Vice Chief Richard Derocher, Vice Chief Lawrence McIntyre, Elder Rick Daniels and other members of their band councils were also present.
