“This is the first time we can take part in a project of this size and importance. Developing this project will provide our community a sense of pride and self- esteem that we can leverage for other projects.”

- Bill Sainnawap, Big Trout Lake First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project could save our community lots of money, which we can use for other purposes in our community.”

Jacob Strang, Chief, Poplar Hill First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project provides a future for our community’s youth.”

Jacob Strang, Chief, Poplar Hill First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project will unlock economic opportunities in our community and for other First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.”

Mitchell K. Diabo, Kasabonika Lake

“The new houses are sitting empty. They have constructed them and they are just sitting there because the electrical capacity is not there to hook them up.”

Simon Sakakeep, Kingfisher Lake First Nation

“As owners in the project, we want to ensure that our communities get maximum benefit from this very important infrastructure project."

Margaret Kenequanash, Wataynikaneyap Power

Latest Updates

Wataynikaneyap Power First Nation Partnership Expands to Include Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Ojibway Nation of Saugeen; Fortis sells minority position to Algonquin

January 17, 2019

THUNDER BAY (January 17, 2019)—Less than a month after Wataynikaneyap Power energized its first line to bring grid power to the First Nation community of Pikangikum, another historic milestone has been reached.

Today, Wataynikaneyap Power announced that Mishkeegogamang and Ojibway Nation of Saugeen legally joined the First Nations-led power project, bringing the number of First Nations communities who are equal owners in the project to 24.

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First Light Comes from Canada’s Largest First Nations Led Infrastructure Project

December 20, 2018

Pikangikum FirstNation Officially Connected to Ontario’sPower Grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Line Project

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Wataynikaneyap Power Continues to Build Capacity with More Training Program Graduates

November 22, 2018

Participants from the second round of Line Crew Ground Support celebrated their graduation today with their families. The graduates are all from the Wataynikaneyap owner communities with some living off-reserve.

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Our Story

An inspiring project to connect nations together and strengthen local economies.

See the impact this project will have on our communities. Watch this video to see the steps we are taking to make Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project a reality.

Pikangikum Funding

Federal Government announces funding to connect Pikangikum First Nation to Ontario’s Power Grid.

“This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time - the community really needs this” says Chief Dean Owen,

Pikangikum and Wataynikaneyap Project

This is what the future holds.

It’s a first step, but an important step. In August, 2017, the Government of Canada announced a commitment of up to $60 million to build the Pikangikum Distribution Line Project. The plan is to connect Pikangikum First Nation to the power grid before the end of November 2018. Recently, 24 members of the community took part in a skills training program. These will be the first local hires when work begins to extend the grid to Pikangikum.

The project signals the beginning of connecting remote First Nations communities to the power grid. Pikangikum First Nation joined the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project in 2016. And as Dean Owen, Pikangikum’s Chief says, “within our area here there are 21 other communities that are anxiously waiting to have the same opportunity we are having right now…that’s my hope, to see these other communities shut dirty diesel down and quite polluting our lands.”

Our Communities

Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project is bringing grid connection to 17 remote communities. This has numerous benefits to all 24 partner communities leading this project, visit your Community Liaison worker to learn how this project will benefit your community