The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) have partnered to finance renewable-energy infrastructure projects.

MCK and CDPQ aim to facilitate access to funding for MCK and other Indigenous communities interested in participating in energy development across Quebec.

Beyond financial support, the partnership will ensure that Indigenous communities play a central role in project development, emphasizing long-term involvement, said MCK and CDPQ. As co-investors, MCK and CDPQ will oversee projects to promote sustainable and inclusive development.

The two organizations pledged to:

• Build partnerships founded on trust and aligned interests, ensuring social acceptability of projects.
• Provide technical expertise to help communities negotiate agreements and assess financial terms for large-scale projects.
• Offer an innovative financing model that enables communities to acquire a meaningful stake in renewable energy initiatives.

“For over a century, major energy infrastructure projects have impacted Indigenous peoples’ rights and lands,” said MCK Grand Chief Cody Diabo. “We believe the time is right for our communities to participate in the energy transition by owning and benefiting from energy infrastructure on our ancestral lands.

“We have developed this partnership to provide the economic opportunity for First Nations and Inuit communities to maximize their stake in large-scale energy infrastructure on their lands, and benefit from the revenues generated.”

MCK will collaborate with interested Indigenous communities to explore opportunities that align with their capital needs. The two organizations are working together to identify projects that could benefit from this investment model.

“In Quebec, numerous renewable energy projects will cross traditional Indigenous territories, which presents an opportunity to foster the financial participation of the communities involved and ensure that the partners’ priorities are well aligned,” said Emmanuel Jaclot, executive vice-president and head of infrastructure at CDPQ.

“We are delighted to be working with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake in this partnership to fund renewable-energy infrastructure projects, which reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive development initiatives while contributing to Quebec’s energy transition.”

MCK serves as the governing body for the Mohawks of Kahnawake, overseeing essential services and spearheading economic initiatives. The council has invested in multiple renewable-energy projects, including the 24-megawatt Des Cultures wind farm, the 147-MW Les Jardins wind farm, and the 58-kilometre Hertel-New York Interconnection Line.

Montreal-based CDPQ ranks among Canada’s largest institutional investors. The pension-fund manager invests in various sectors, including public markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and private debt.

Photo: Business Renewables Centre Canada