February 16, 2011

Mnidoo Mnising Power, a company formed by the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising First Nations (UCCMM), has entered into an equal partnership with Northland Power Inc. to develop the McLean’s Mountain 60MW Wind Farm Project, located on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron.

“The United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising are committed to the thoughtful and responsible development of our natural resources, where our families’ needs are addressed and that provides a better future for our young people,” said UCCMM tribal chair chief Shining Turtle. “Our shared ownership with Northland Power is an important model of how First Nations can work closely with the private sector and government on something that both benefits our people and supports the Province of Ontario’s leadership in renewable energy.”

The partnership starts with Maclean’s Mountain but includes all future renewable energy projects on the UCCMM First Nations’ traditional territory, and has been said to possibly include solar, hydro, gas or electrical infrastructure projects.

“Northland is proud to continue to expand its relationships with First Nations,” added Northland CEO John Brace. “We see First Nations and community partnerships as central to our growing portfolio of clean and renewable energy projects. McLean’s Mountain and future projects will provide energy to Ontario and resources to strengthen UCCMM communities, while respecting our environment.”

In addition to this project, Northland has the 86MW Spy Hill project, 260MW North Battleford project and 100MW Mont Louis wind farm in construction, and 216MW of wind, solar and run-of-river hydro projects awarded under the Ontario Power Authority’s feed-in-tariff program in stages of development.