Fort William First Nation is opposing a deliberate redevelopment of the Ontario Energy Era’s (OPG) 117 yr previous Kakabeka Falls Producing Station, which is positioned of their conventional territory.
“We really feel that OPG has not made an sincere effort to work with us,” stated Michele Solomon, Chief of Fort William First Nation.
OPG declined to supply an interview, however despatched an emailed assertion.
“All through the method, OPG has invited the Fort William First Nation to take part, together with in gathering info round archaeological assessments and environmental survey work. As well as, OPG’s venture workforce continues to work with FWFN to maximise enterprise alternatives for the group within the venture,” stated the assertion.
The Kakabeka Falls Era Station is without doubt one of the oldest producing stations within the province and offers energy to about 25,000 properties.
“It resulted in flooding, modifications to the waterways, damages to our cultural heritage and methods of life,” stated Chief Solomon.
Superior Morning7:09Michele Solomon: OPG Redevelopment & Fort William First Nation
OPG is redeveloping the Kakabeka Falls Producing Station however Fort William First Nation says they will oppose it except OPG consults them. Hear from chief Michele Solomon.
The First Nation can also be anxious about improvement disrupting the bodily web site, stated Solomon on CBC’s Superior Morning, pointing to a latest discovery of stays belonging to 4 Indigenous individuals throughout development of a Parks Canada venture.
“We’re definitely involved with archaeology or attainable archaeology points,” stated Solomon. “These issues must be handled in a delicate method.”
“There’s already a registered burial web site on the property, and Fort William First Nation believes there’s the potential for extra archaeological finds and deeply buried artifacts,” stated the Fort William First Nation launch.
In line with historic information accessed by way of the Thunder Bay Public Library, there’s a small graveyard atop the gorge at Kakabeka Falls. There isn’t any official record of who was buried or how they died, however church and newspaper information point out the graves doubtless comprise the our bodies of 4 to 6 staff who died in the course of the development of the ability plant within the early 1900s. Deaths included an electrician from Quebec, a prepare dinner who was a latest immigrant to Canada, a younger man from Eire and an “unknown Hungarian”, based on the information.
