Sachigo Lake First Nation celebrates connection to provincial power grid

Tim Brody - Editor

Sachigo Lake First Nation is celebrating its connection to the provincial power grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system.
On September 12, the Sachigo Lake First Nation invited representatives from Wataynikaneyap Power, Opiikapawiin Services, government, and other stakeholders to celebrate the momentous occasion in the community. 
“The northern Ontario community was connected to the provincial power grid on November 2, 2023. At about 645 km north of Thunder Bay, Sachigo Lake First Nation is one of the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system’s most northern communities,” a news release from Wataynikaneyap Power informed.
Sachigo Lake Chief Simon Tait remarked, “On behalf of Sachigo Lake community members, including Elders, youth, and land keepers, we are so pleased to celebrate the community’s connected to the provincial power grid. With this connection, we are no longer constrained by the limits of the diesel generators.” 
Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power, remarks, “We are so pleased to be celebrating with Sachigo Lake First Nation today. This has been a remarkable journey, which started over 30 years ago. We have followed the Chiefs’ mandate to bring cleaner, more reliable power to remote First Nations, with First Nation-led and majority owned infrastructure on the Homelands.”
“Wataynikaneyap Power is majority-owned by an equal partnership of 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, to build and operate the ‘line that brings light’, a $1.9 billion dollar infrastructure project. The 1,800 km Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system will ultimately connect 17 remote First Nations to the Ontario power grid, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity. Many of these generators are at capacity and not able to connect to new infrastructure,” Wataynikaneyap Power informed.
Sachigo Lake was the eighth First Nation energized by the provincial power grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system. 
As of September 2024, 12 remote First Nations communities have been connected to the provincial power grid through the project.
“Congratulations Sachigo Lake First Nation! Now that daily power needs are being met, we can all focus on looking to future opportunities, instead of band-aid solutions,” stated Eliezar Mckay, First Nation LP Board Chair.
“This is a huge accomplishment for the community, and all 24 First Nation majority owners of the transmission system,” said Frank Mckay, Board Chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership (WPGP). “Miigwech to all our service providers and partners who supported our vision!”
“Fortis congratulates Chief Simon Tait and Sachigo Lake First Nation on the community’s connection to the main electricity grid in Ontario,” said David Hutchens, President and CEO, Fortis Inc. “Today’s electrification ceremony is a symbol of the importance of the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system, allowing First Nations in Northwestern Ontario access to stable, reliable power while also reducing harmful emissions associated with prior use of diesel engines for power generation.”
“The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system is the largest First Nations-led grid connection project in Canada. Today’s celebration marks an end to Sachigo Lake First Nation’s reliance on expensive diesel-generated electricity. The completion and energization of the transmission line to the First Nation will provide the community with clean, safe, and reliable energy that will have a significant effect on the wellbeing of community members. Thanks to First Nations leaders, work continues and will support the reduction of diesel dependency and improve access to cleaner, more reliable energy,” stated Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor).
“As someone who has lived and worked as a nurse in remote Indigenous communities across Canada, I can attest to how critical it is to have reliable infrastructure including access to clean, affordable energy,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “The Watay Power Transmission Project has been a major priority during both my federal and provincial chapters, and I’m proud that our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is unlocking unprecedented economic reconciliation opportunities for First Nations across the North.”
“Ontario needs to generate, store, and transmit more power as we face unprecedented growth. It is a priority for our government to expand and connect clean and affordable energy to some of the most remote northern communities, helping improve the quality of life of First Nation communities as we work to displace all diesel generators with clean electricity,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, who was in attendance. “We are proud to support Wataynikaneyap Power and Sachigo Lake First Nation in the largest Indigenous-led energy project in our province’s history that will connect northern communities to clean and reliable energy, unlocking jobs and opportunity for generations to come.”