“Bow Lake Partners Attest to 5 years of Ample Engagement and Consultation”
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Last week the Northern Superior Chiefs passed a resolution opposing the Bow Lake Wind Farm project (“Project”) near Montreal River on the basis that Michipicoten First Nation (“MFN”) was not adequately consulted. Today, the Bow Lake Partners and Batchewana First Nation (“BFN”) stated that there have actually been five years of consultation and that the process continues.
BLWF (whose shareholders are comprised of BluEarth Renewables, Vortex Wind Power, and DP Energy) initiated engagement with First Nations, including the BFN and the MFN, regarding the Project over five years ago.
Only BFN responded to the initial notice expressing an interest in the project. Vortex had several direct conversations with BFN subsequently.
More recently BluEarth Renewables Inc., which purchased a majority interest in the project, has been engaged with BFN. Since that time BFN have dedicated significant resources to working with BLWF, resulting in an agreement that will see BFN participate as an important economic partner in this Project. As a reflection of this partnership, going forward, the Project proponents will be Nodin Kitigan Limited Partnership[i] (for Phase 1) and Nodin Kitigan 2 Limited Partnership[ii] (for Phase 2).
On April 2, 2012 Chief Buckell signed a letter stating that Michipicoten First Nation had no interest in the project. Shortly afterward, he rescinded that letter. As a result, there have been several meetings between him and BFN and one meeting with BFN and BluEarth. On each occasion he was asked to: identify any traditional use or interest in the site on the part of his First Nation; set out any potential adverse effects of the project on the treaty or aboriginal rights of his First Nation; and suggest any possible accommodation that could be made between his First Nation and the project. He has not responded to any of those queries. At the present time, there is still an opportunity to set out adverse effects by way of response to a formal letter sent to Michipicoten First Nation, as part of the project’s consultation process.
“I was disappointed to read Chief Buckell’s statement regarding consultation on this Project, because we have been working and engaging with the Micihipicoten First Nation for over five years. During all that time we had not heard any indication of the Michipicoten First Nation’s interest in the Bow Lake Project”, commented Kevin O’ Donovan of BLWF.
Kelly Matheson, Vice President Regulatory & Communications of BLWF commented on the partnership and the recent comments, “ We were surprised by Chief Buckell’s statement that there has been no consultation with the developers, when BLWF has a long record of engaging with the Michipicoten First Nation on this Project over the past five years. During this time, the Michipicoten First Nation has identified no potentially adverse impacts that the Project may have on their constitutionally protected aboriginal or treaty rights. BLWF is a responsible developer of renewable energy and we take our relationships with First Nations seriously. This is evidenced by the fact that we have developed a strong, positive relationship with the Batchewana First Nation during our work on the Bow Lake Wind Project. ”
Batchewana First Nation has engaged in several meetings, Nation-to-Nation, with Chief Buckell to discuss his First Nation’s interest, if any, in the Project. It was agreed that the interests of both First Nations would be determined by the First Nations respective history.
Chief Dean Sayers had this to say, “Batchewana First Nation leadership has and continues to work on the principles of honour and respect for our fellow First Nation. BFN Council is considerate of any differences that may exist, but hope to move forward in a positive manner on a Nation-to-Nation basis.”
Further meetings have been scheduled in the very near future between both First Nations to continue the process of productive engagement and meaningful consultation.
