Dokis First Nation celebrates decade of hydro dam development

Dokis First Nation and partner FirstLight Energy are celebrating a decade of operation for the Okikendawt hydro dam.

Dokis First Nation and the majority owner of a hydro dam located in the community is celebrating a decade of operation.

Nestled on the French River, the Okikendawt hydro station is in its first quarter of its operating contract. It was a project that started in 1986, when former Chief Martin Restoule Baa visited Hoover Dam with his brother.

That’s when he wondered if a smaller dam could be built within the community. But he needed a plan to bring a project like this to life, so he began meeting with people in the energy sector.

Years later, a partnership was struck between the First Nation and the then-company in charge, HydroMega.

“The community bought into what the vision was,” said Gerry Duquette Jr., the current Dokis First Nation Chief.

“I don’t think this project would have happened if HydroMega would not have been that true partner.”

Powers 3,000 homes

Dam construction began in 2013 and the station began operating two years later. Today, the $48 million, 10-megawatt project ensures the lights turn on for 3,000 Ontario homes.

FirstLight Energy then took over the project and decided to continue it after it purchased HydroMega in 2023.

“The electricity goes to the closest point of consumption,” said Stéphane Boyer, FirstLight Energy’s chief development officer.

“So we’re really looking at, you know, powering the area and the region.”

The First Nation, which owns 40 per cent of the project, is reaping the rewards. In 2021, a trust was established to protect and manage the revenue that flowed in from the dam for community projects.

As of this spring, the trust has approved 27 projects in the community valued at $695,000. These projects fall under three criteria: community infrastructure, economic development and health and welfare.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige attended the ceremony recognizing the milestone. Debassige said many First Nation communities have been inspired by the Okikendawt hydro dam project and want to partner with the energy sector on similar initiatives.

“I’ve heard from many chiefs that they’re actually for development and projects, but they need to be included,” she said.

“Our role with the Anishinabek Nation is to help advocate on their behalf, advocate the importance of engaging early with our First Nations and that they hold the authority and decision making … This is just a true honour and a testament of what can be done with First Nations going forward.”

FirstLight officials said they want to replicate the partnership it has with Dokis First Nation with other Indigenous communities, noting Ontario needs to expand its renewable energy sector through solar, wind and battery storage projects.

“It was one of the first partnerships in Ontario for First Nation and independent power producers,” said company president and CEO Justin Trudell.

“As long as we continue to put capital into it, we’ll be generating power out of here for over 100 years.”

To celebrate the milestone, FirstLight and the First Nation launched a community-wide logo design contest that represents the spirit, history and partnership of the Okikendawt station.

The winning logo will become the new symbol for the project.

FirstLight is also launching a scholarship for Dokis First Nation post-secondary students. For the next three years, five students will receive $1,000 each in recognition of their creativity, vision and commitment to the community.

“This partnership was one that was really ahead of its time,” Trudell added.

“What we’re finding now is that the clean energy industry is really leaning on First Nation partnership.”

Duquette Jr. wants to continue to build a positive relationship with FirstLight for decades to come.

“The next 30 years, we’ll see this as a stepping stone to what is to come. We have looked at other projects in conjunction with First Light,” he said.