Tag Archives: Fort Nelson First Nation

Energy, Indigenous Nations

New attempt at geothermal could be coming to Fort Liard

By Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Fort Liard-based Acho Dene Koe First Nation is partnering with a Nanaimo-based company to explore a potential geothermal energy project. 

The company, Barkley Project Group, is also behind a geothermal project in Fort Nelson (photo at top of page), Fort Liard’s near neighbour in northern B.C., which is on track to become the first geothermal plant owned by a First Nation in Canada. 

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Energy, Indigenous Nations

Blueberry River First Nations beat B.C. in court. Now everything’s changing

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Apart from a little pocket of land on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Blueberry River First Nations territory is an industrial wasteland. At a walking pace, it only takes about three minutes to stumble onto some kind of development. It’s a land of pipelines, clearcuts and gas rigs. But things are about to change.

After winning a hard-fought case before the B.C. Supreme Court in 2021, the Treaty 8 nation reached a final agreement with the province on Jan. 18. The agreement charts a path forward from a past where the province excluded the community from resource decisions and infringed on the nation’s constitutionally protected rights. Two days later, B.C. signed agreements with four neighbouring nations: Doig River, Halfway River, Saulteau and Fort Nelson. Collectively, the agreements represent a way out of conflict and a shared goal to heal the land. 

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Energy, Indigenous Nations

Northeast B.C. geothermal project enters testing phase

By Tom Summer, Alaska Highway News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A second round of water testing for Fort Nelson First Nation’s geothermal power plan is expected by next week, ensuring groundwater in the region is commercially viable for geothermal electricity and heat production facilities.  

Owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation, the Tu Deh-Kah power plant will be B.C.’s first geothermal electricity plant once completed, using 120-degree water sitting 2,000 to 2,500 metres below the earth’s surface to generate power and heat year-round greenhouses.  

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Community, Indigenous Nations

B.C. pays Blueberry River First Nations $65 million as 195 projects approved before court victory proceed

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Blueberry River First Nations signed an agreement with British Columbia Thursday, outlining first steps toward healing  the land and restoring the nations’ ability to exercise its Treaty 8  Rights, which the province breached by permitting and encouraging  industrial development on a vast scale, according to a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in June.

Continue reading B.C. pays Blueberry River First Nations $65 million as 195 projects approved before court victory proceed →