Power Project To Benefit Isolated Community

VANCOUVER -- - The Douglas First Nation is receiving $150,000 to negotiate employment and economic benefits, including electricity, from the development of a reliable and environmentally friendly source of power near the north end of Harrison Lake, as announced by Geoff Plant, Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations, and in Ottawa by the Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Douglas First Nation is working toward a participation agreement with Cloudworks Energy L.P., a B.C.-based developer of environmentally friendly energy projects. The proposed generating facilities are located in the First Nation's claimed traditional territory.

"We made a New Era commitment to materially improve the quality of life for aboriginal people, and this project will allow access to a reliable source of power for the Douglas First Nation, as well as employment and revenue," said Plant. "It will also create a new source of green power for the province and generate revenue by attracting outside investors."

"The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to build strong, self-reliant communities," said Nault. "Partnerships like this, between First Nations, governments and the private sector, show we can build economic and employment opportunities that benefit all British Columbians."

The territory claimed by the Douglas First Nation as traditional includes the north end of Harrison Lake. The current source of electricity for the First Nation's communities is diesel generators, which run on fuel trucked in from Pemberton, making community growth and economic development difficult.

The proposed project comprises three run-of-the-river power-generating facilities, each of which diverts water from a creek, through a pipeline and into a small powerhouse, where the water produces electricity by turning a turbine. The water is then returned to the river. Run-of-the river projects minimize upstream flooding and preserve aquatic habitat.

"Our community needs clean, reliable electricity for current and future growth and development," said Douglas First Nation Chief Darryl Peters.

"Although we were expected electricity 50 years ago from BC Hydro's predecessors, Cloudworks Energy - a private developer - is the first to propose an environmentally friendly power project." As a precondition of the project, an agreement must be negotiated with BC Hydro to purchase power not used by the Douglas First Nation.

British Columbia Economic Partnerships Initiative

Through the British Columbia Economic Partnerships Initiative (BCEPI), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) partners with the Province of British Columbia to fund First Nations economic development projects.

BCEPI enhances already existing INAC economic development programs by fostering partnerships with the private sector and allowing First Nations to respond to time-sensitive opportunities, particularly in the resources sector.

In this fiscal year alone (2002-2003), INAC has invested $1.9 million in BCEPI projects. Together with investments from other economic development programs, INAC has invested $4.9 million to support 40 projects in British Columbia in 2002 to 2003.