Hydro-Québec, Kahnawake Mohawks sign historic deal for joint ownership of power line

As officials put pen to paper in Ghana waggy Thursday to sign a deal between Hydro Quebec and the First Nations community, the significance of the moment was obvious for many. I think they know now that maybe the way things were done in the past as it pertains to First Nations and their lands is not the way things are going to be into the future. The agreement will see the Mohawk comes of Ganwagi have joint ownership with Hydro Quebec of an underground transmission line to New York State. The 58 kilometer hotel line will run from La Prairie through traditional Mohawk land to the Richelieu River, where it’ll connect to a New York line. It’ll carry 12150 megawatts of electricity, enough for a million homes. When I look to the future, one thing is crystal clear. That is the immense challenge of the energy transition. Would like it to be higher. I think for us it’s looking at you know all of the other economic development ventures that we have. But for me, I would love to be the 49% and then we’re really co-owners. The amount the community will invest is still not determined, but the regulated value of the project is $350 million. As part of the deal, Hydro Quebec has pledged $10 million for the new Ganwagi cultural Arts Center. Sky Deer Lords Hydro Quebec’s move and says it’s a significant change from the public, utilities, fractures, history with Indigenous communities. We’re not going to tolerate things happening in our backyard without our involvement. It’s just the way it is. She believes the deal can serve as a model for how other Indigenous communities can partner with big business. Activists in New York State had blocked the construction of the line for decades until now. This relationship and model moves from the colonial approach to one of respecting the rights, the treaty rights, the heritage rights of indigenous Americans in the natural resources that they have been stewards of for thousands of years. He and others believe the agreement is a sign that things can change. Phil Carpenter, Global News, Gunawaga.