Fort William First Nation is opposing the redevelopment of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Kakabeka Falls Generating Station, which lies within their traditional territory. Chief Michele Solomon expressed frustration, claiming OPG has not made genuine efforts to collaborate with the community. OPG has invited the First Nation to participate in various assessments and survey work and is working to create business opportunities for the community, according to their statement.
The Kakabeka Falls station, over 100 years old, provides power to 25,000 homes. However, the First Nation raises concerns about past and future impacts on their cultural heritage and environment, citing the flooding and disruption of waterways caused by the station’s original construction. They also express worries about the potential for archaeological finds during redevelopment, particularly after the discovery of Indigenous remains during a separate project. The Fort William First Nation is concerned about the sensitivity needed for handling possible burial sites and artifacts, especially since historical records suggest there is a small graveyard on the property. Church and newspaper records indicate that the graves may belong to workers who died during the plant’s construction in the early 1900s, further intensifying concerns over the redevelopment’s impact.
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