Dragan Racic of Tesla, Stormy Holmes of AECOM and Chief Wally Burns of the James Smith Cree First Nation cut a cake to celebrate the Pehonan Hydroelectric Project July 25, 2019. (Dominick Lucyk/650 CKOM)

By Dominick Lucyk/CJME News Staff

James Smith Cree Nation signs on to build new power plant

Jul 26, 2019 | 6:01 PM

The James Smith Cree Nation signed a deal with AECOM and the Tesla Energy Institute (TEI) to build a new hydroelectric plant.

On Thursday, the ink dried on a memorandum of understanding for the $2 billion, 252 megawatt facility. It’s called the Pehonan Hydroelectric Project.

Dragan Racic, the president and CEO of TEI’s research and development division for the James Smith Cree Nation, said the project will create between 300 and 400 permanent jobs.

TEI is not linked to Tesla Inc., the electric car company operated by Elon Musk.

The First Nation’s chief, Wally Burns, said he’s glad this plant is going forward in development.

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“I’m very happy that I can honestly say that the work is done (in securing the deal)… we just have to make sure we follow the right steps,” he told 650 CKOM.

The first step from here is an environmental assessment required by provincial and federal regulations. Racic expects it will take two years.

He said the plant should be operational between 5 to 7 years after that process is complete.

It will also be evaluated with Cree principles. A media handout said the protection of Askiy, the Cree word for the environment and all life, is key.

“The people are responsible to care for and nurture the well-being of Askiy so, in return, it can provide for future generations,” it said.

“The way forward lies in enabling the river and land that has sustained the Cree for thousands of years to do so again.”

TEI is also working with James Smith to bring an MRI clinic to Saskatoon. Burns said their connections with AECOM helped to bring this hydroelectric project together.

“To me, that’s the sign of a good partner,” he said.

“I’m very proud and happy to say that signing this agreement is a good thing for our Nation.”

The James Smith Cree Nation is located 58 kilometers east of Prince Albert.