As Canada generates an expanding proportion of its energy from Renewable Energy (RE) sources such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities residing across Canada are playing an increasing role in these projects. “Indigenous Power” projects, as we call them in this report, are RE projects that include some level of ownership by an Indigenous community, where the community either leads the project themselves or participates as a majority or minority stakeholder in partnership with a commercial developer.

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Throughout Canada’s history, there are many examples of energy projects that have caused damage to traditional territories and infringed upon the rights of Indigenous communities, including RE projects such as large-scale hydroelectric projects (McLachlan, 2014; Calder et al, 2016; Wilt, 2016). Both developers and governments are beginning to understand they will have greater success in building RE projects, if they engage Indigenous communities to participate meaningfully as stakeholders and beneficiaries. Further, many Indigenous communities are increasingly playing a leadership role in building RE projects that can generate revenue in a way that is consistent with cultural and environmental values. RE technologies allow for smaller scale and distributed installations, which, compared to traditional bulk generation, make them more accessible for community participation, especially if favorable policies and support programs exist to help communities compete with large developers.

This report attempts to highlight the current state of Indigenous Power across Canada, by exploring the potential benefits such projects can bring to communities, featuring examples of Indigenous Power projects, and outlining the various supportive policies and programs that exist in each province. We also present challenges, common themes and lessons learned from project practitioners, and provide some suggestions about policy considerations and areas for future research and discussion.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   Report Outline
2. Defining key terms
   Renewable Energy
   Clean / Green / Sustainable Energy
   Distributed Energy
   Community Power
   Indigenous Power
   Policy Mechanisms
3. Potential benefits of Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects
   Environmental Outcomes
   Economic Outcomes
   Social Outcomes
   Health Outcomes
   Self-Determination
4. Provincial & territorial overview of RE policy and Indigenous involvement
   National Electricity Mix
   Federal Government
   Alberta
   British Columbia
   Manitoba
   New Brunswick
   Newfoundland and Labrador
   Nova Scotia
   Northwest Territories
   Nunavut
   Ontario
   Prince Edward Island
   Quebec
   Saskatchewan
   Yukon Territory
5. Key considerations & lessons learned in Indigenous project development
   Understanding Timelines, Assessing Risks and Managing Expectations
   Relationship to the Land and Environmental Implications
   Capacity Considerations for Ensuring Meaningful (and Equitable) Participation
   Working with Project Partners
   Providing Opportunities for the Local Workforce
   Urgent and Systemic Community Challenges
6. Summary and areas of future research and discussion
   Appendix A: Indigenous Power project examples
   Appendix B: Workshops & Conferences Attended
   References