Tribal council, city to work together on power station
Officials see proposal as a way of putting concept of reconciliation into action
Saskatoon’s weir may be a source of green energy someday.
On Wednesday, the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) stating they will work together to develop a hydroelectric power station at the weir.
The project is expected to cost between $60 million and $65 million.
Representatives of the city and STC signed the document at the First Nations Power Authority 2017 Western Canadian Indigenous Renewable Energy Forum at TCU Place. Officials said the deal will help further the relationship between the tribal council and the city.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said such agreements are an opportunity to put the concept of reconciliation into action, building on the work that’s already been done between the city and previous STC chiefs.
“It’s a great, high-profile place to have people come and reflect on this relationship and on reconciliation and the calls to action,” he said.
“As I mentioned in my comments ... reconciliation is about the relationship between the Indigenous community, the non-Indigenous community and the land that we all live on.”
Clark said the fact the project’s location is on the river — a central source of water, beauty and now potentially power — is important for the STC and the city.
“(It’s) a really good next step and a symbol of what this partnership can mean for the future of our community.”
STC Chief Mark Arcand told the forum that Saskatoon is a leader in reconciliation in Saskatchewan and across Canada. He said the relationship between the city and the STC was already strong when he became chief in October and he’ll continue to build on that.
“I’m just picking up the torch and moving forward,” Arcand said.
“When we talk about partnerships, it’s not to stop what we’ve done. It’s to enhance, it’s to build those relationships, continue working together, because it’s going to benefit everybody in the City of Saskatoon. Saskatoon Tribal Council is about the people.”
The project is expected to be funded by the STC and private sector partners, with costs offset by revenue generated by the station, alongside funding from other sources in the green energy sector.
A pre-feasibility study determined the project is technically feasible, economically viable and wouldn’t cause any significant environmental disruption; a full feasibility study will now be undertaken.
It’s a great, high-profile place to have people come and reflect on this relationship and on reconciliation and the calls to action.
Once operational, the hydro plant is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to about 4,500 vehicles driving on city streets and produce enough power each year to supply 3,500 homes.