Manitoba Hydro and Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) today signed a Collaboration Agreement (mâmawi-atoskêtân or Working Together) to explore potential initiatives to reduce energy consumption, promote energy generation and help expand economic opportunities in the community in the future.
Manitoba Hydro and FRCN will discuss, analyze and — where economically feasible —implement projects that support economic development and community energy needs.
“Manitoba Hydro is committed to strengthening and improving our relationships with Indigenous communities,” said Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Allan Danroth.
“Through the mâmawi-atoskêtân agreement we are charting a new path toward understanding the evolving energy needs of Fisher River and providing the service to support those needs as part of our commitment to economic reconciliation”
“Our community is looking to the future and the mâmawi-atoskêtân agreement lays the groundwork for greater energy self-sufficiency and economic growth,” said Chief David Crate.
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with Manitoba Hydro to build a brighter future for our people.” Under the agreement, Manitoba Hydro and FRCN will establish a regular process to discuss and potentially undertake feasibility studies into FRCN’s goals and plans for energy projects that could help drive economic development including:
- District or individual ground source heating systems;
- Potential expansion of FRCN’s existing solar farm, currently the largest in the province;
- A natural gas connection to Fisher River to support additional energy sources;
- Energy efficiency assessments of older commercial buildings;
- Analysis of Manitoba Hydro equipment serving FRCN to determine if upgrades are needed.
Manitoba Hydro and FRCN will also explore opportunities to pilot emerging technologies including community-sized wind development.
The mâmawi-atoskêtân agreement will be in effect for five years. Manitoba Hydro and FRCN are responsible for their own costs of taking part in the collaboration.
Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Allan Danroth (left) and Fisher River Cree Nation Chief David Crate celebrate signing of agreement at Fisher River on Monday
For more information, please contact:
Scott Powell — Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
204-360-4417
Cell. 204-299-8849
spowell@hydro.mb.ca
