Power to the People

Inspired Initiatives

Episode #8

Six Nations of the Grand River, ON

Home to the largest First Nations population in Canada, Six Nations established a corporation to manage economic opportunities on behalf of their people. That effort now sees Six Nations invested in some of the largest wind and solar power plants in the nation.

Southwest of Hamilton, Ontario, the Six Nations of the Grand Reserve hosts Canada’s largest First Nations population and second largest reserve lands. In 2015, they launched the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation to manage the economic self-sufficiency of Six Nations people without compromising their values. Central to their mission is the management of their growing investments in large scale solar and wind projects in and around their territory. From a roof top solar plant on Nation owned business park to a massive 77 turbine wind farm on the Niagara escarpment, Six Nations has become a national clean energy leader, in both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous sectors. Now, profits from their ongoing clean energy investments are funnelled back into Six Nations to enhance their community, educational and cultural infrastructure.

Host Melina Laboucan-Massimo visits Six Nations and connects with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. Together they tour their growing portfolio of clean energy projects and illustrate how it’s benefiting their people. An hour east in Mississauga, Melina tours Canada’s largest solar panel manufacturing plant and explores the science of solar.

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