K’uul Power+ Membership
COMING TOGETHER AS ONE
Ready to join the collaboration as a K’uul + Nation?
First Nations-Led
By taking the lead, First Nations have the opportunity to chart a positive path forward, power our communities and create a healthy economic and social future for our families.
Clean Energy
Future energy projects will require the development of clean energy and supporting infrastructure to decarbonize the future economy. Leading to cleaner, greener future.
Equity
Interested First Nations are given the option of equity ownership so they earn returns on their investment that can be reinvested into their communities and people.
Reconciliation
As owners of the transmission infrastructure, impacted nations will have a say in how and where it is developed while also benefitting from its development.
A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Powering the change to a greener, cleaner and brighter world
Our commitment is to work in the spirit of collaboration, for mutual gain and a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren – because the opportunity is significant.
Eleven First Nations have already signed the Collaboration and Communications Protocol and many other Nations participate in support of working together to build this and other renewable energy projects needed to decarbonize the future economy in Northwest BC and power First Nations projects and communities with green energy.
The K’uul Power Board currently consists of the leaders of eight nations and is open to inclusion of additional Nations who sign the Collaboration and Communications Protocol.
Creation
K’uul Power +
COME TOGETHER
View the Collaboration and Communication Protocol that K’uul Power Members have committed to
What we are proposing would have the effect of powering up First Nation communities that don’t currently have three-phase power and allow them to participate in the new, green economy. Join us in the spirit of collaboration, for mutual gain and a sustainable, greener future for our children and grandchildren.
The Board of Directors of K’uul includes leaders from :
Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation,
Wet’suwet’en First Nation,
Witset First Nation,
Wet’suwet’en HC Simooh from Birch House,
Kitsumkalum First Nation,
Haisla Nation,
Nisga’a Nation and
Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band.
Any Nation that has signed the Protocol can become a Director of K’uul Power.
Current Nations
Benefits to Members
What are the Benefits with K’uul + ?
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Real and material benefits will accrue to everyone - the Province, BC Hydro, and BC Hydro’s ratepayers along with the Participating Nations.
The K’uul + collaboration represents an important opportunity for Nations to gain a more workable and valuable outcome than each Nation could achieve on its own – a controlling ownership and equity stake pre-construction, for example.
This is to ensure a higher degree of First Nation control and influence over the project design. The K’uul + Nations are working together to direct how their interests will be met including:
equitable and transparent compensation for impacts on the title and rights of all directly affected First Nations;
an environmental protection plan that ensures a net improvement in environmental conditions through mitigation and restoration;
a strategy to prevent negative impacts on the wellbeing of our communities;
a procurement and employment strategy that maximises opportunities for First Nations companies and citizens to prosper during construction and beyond;
a partnership with BC Hydro that enables equal equity participation for all directly affected First Nations and the opportunity to functionally partner in advance of construction for those who want it, which most of us do.
Moreover, K’uul + represents an important opportunity to overcome difficult political and reconciliation challenges that have arisen with previous linear projects in the area. Nation by Nation processes are divisive and create a legacy of tension and unmet expectations. By contrast, the collaborative work amongst the Nations on this project is intentionally preventing the pitfalls of the past by learning from that collective experience and changing the way things are done.
Real and material benefits will accrue to everyone - the Province, BC Hydro, and BC Hydro’s ratepayers along with the Participating Nations. On the Twinning Project alone, the K’uul + approach could speed up regulatory approvals and environmental permitting processes, resolve complex issues pertaining to Indigenous consent, and serve as a vehicle to bring in project financing that simply wouldn’t be available to non-Indigenous proponents.
NOTES
Rights and Title
It is critical to note that none of these structures, decisions, or approaches detract from individual Nation’s rights and title.
Those matters remain at all times with the Nations, as reflected in the Protocol that is the foundation of the collective work of the K’uul + Nations and K’uul Power as an organization.
BENEFITS
Reconciliation
In a world where DRIPA is law, it would be difficult to imagine how First Nations wouldn’t be leading the global energy transition. Efforts to combat climate change by getting to net-zero and beyond require grid expansion and renewable generation capacity as well as low carbon energy development and exports. Much of this occurs on First Nations traditional territories and these investments can enable First Nation-led and partnered clean generation projects like hydro, wind, pump storage, run-of-river, and geothermal.
There are billions of dollars in project development proposals, many of which are First Nations led, that are dependent on this infrastructure to achieve emissions reduction and net-zero obligations. Many First Nation’s along the proposed line want to be equity owners in this transmission infrastructure.
Joining K’uul Power
What’s Next?
Any Nation that will be affected and is interested in learning more, participating or signing the protocol, is welcomed to reach out to our team to help power a bright and clean future.
STAY CONNECTED
K’uul+ News
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