SaskPower and the Saskatchewan First Nations Resource Centre of Excellence have formally committed to deepening collaboration through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at increasing First Nations participation in Saskatchewan’s power system.
The agreement was announced today during the Saskatchewan First Nations Energy and Natural Resource Forum and Leadership Summit, an annual event focused on promoting First Nations leadership in the North American energy landscape.
The MOU outlines a joint effort to explore and expand Indigenous involvement in key areas of the province’s energy infrastructure, including engagement, workforce and supply chain development, energy project collaboration, Indigenous equity participation, and integration with EXPORT—a centralized database of training, employment, and supplier opportunities.
“Our government, and SaskPower, remain committed to building respectful, mutually beneficial partnerships with First Nations people and businesses as we work to advance economic reconciliation,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “We look forward to working with the Centre for Excellence to strengthen and expand the vital role that First Nations already play in Saskatchewan’s power system.”
Sheldon Wuttunee, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nations Resource Centre of Excellence, emphasized the importance of this agreement in fostering economic opportunity and community transformation.
“This MOU signals First Nations’ openness to prosperity through partnerships and co-development of opportunities and outlines a pathway forward for working together,” said Wuttunee. “Opportunities to support the planning and build-out of the power system in Saskatchewan will transform our communities, by growing our economic participation and revitalizing relationships between First Nations and the province.”
SaskPower President and CEO Rupen Pandya highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous inclusion.
“SaskPower respects the rights of all First Nations, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with organizations such as the Centre for Excellence as we support Indigenous involvement in the power system,” said Pandya. “In 2023, SaskPower committed to spend $1 billion with First Nations and Métis suppliers over 10 years, and we are well on track to meet that target.”
The MOU marks a significant step in advancing economic reconciliation and building sustainable, long-term partnerships that benefit both Indigenous communities and the provincial energy sector.