FortisOntario is rolling out the $10,000 Future Generations Scholarship program available to the Wataynikaneyap Power Project’s 24 owner First Nations.

This scholarship represents respecting First Nation way of life and what we leave behind for future generations to come, or chinagatamaageyeg (Anishinabe, “to leave something behind for others”).

Scott Hawkes, President and CEO of FortisOntario, said that, “FortisOntario is offering this Future Generations scholarship to support First Nations’ post-secondary education goals. As a partner in the Wataynikaneyap Project, we encourage First Nations youth to pursue educational opportunities, and on this day of celebration, we embrace the diverse culture of Indigenous peoples.”

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Future Generations Scholarship:

• Enrolled in a post-secondary or trade program for the 2022/2023 school year, with a minimum of two years remaining in their studies
• Interested in pursuing a career in the Ontario energy sector
• Respect the values of the Wataynikaneyap Power Project, the Project’s Guiding Principles, and willing to champion the Wataynikaneyap Power Project in public forums
• A member of one of the Wataynikaneyap Power Project’s 24 First Nation owner communities*

The Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project is an unprecedented First Nations-led project to build approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines in Northwestern Ontario to connect remote First Nations communities to the Ontario power grid.

“We are delighted that FortisOntario has provided this opportunity to support a student from the owner communities. Future generations are the reason we are building this transmission line. This is their project. They will receive maximum benefits in the Project, and this will provide for generations to come,” Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power, also remarks. “Our youth are strong and resilient, and I look forward to seeing their applications.”

The project will reinforce the existing transmission grid to Pickle Lake and will expand grid service north of Pickle Lake and Red Lake to ultimately connect 17 First Nations. These communities are currently provided electricity through diesel generation.