SAMSUNG TO BRING JOBS AND GREEN POWER WITH WIND & SOLAR FARM

Posted By CATHY PELLETIER, CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER SIX NATIONS/HALDIMAND

Updated 7 months ago

A historic Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Six Nations Council Chambers last week to develop renewable energy projects on or near Six Nations lands.

Hailed as a "mutually beneficial agreement," Elected Chief William Montour and Senior Executive Vice President Cheo/Woo Lee of Samsung C & T Corporation signed the document stating Six Nations will work with the Korean company to develop wind and solar energy facilities, bringing renewable energy and jobs to the area.

The initiative forms part of a larger provincial undertaking. A day earlier, Samsung and the Province of Ontario signed a green energy investment agreement in Toronto leading to the development of a series of wind and solar power energy facilities -the largest of its kind globally -that's expected to generate approximately 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province.

The number of jobs created in Six Nations will "depend on whether we build all at once or in separate smaller projects," said Lee. Factoring in all phases -from construction to ongoing operation of the completed facilities - he estimated Samsung would employ about 1,200 people by 2012.

On behalf of Six Nations Council, Montour welcomed the Samsung delegation and attending dignitaries, including newly-appointed Minister of Energy Brad Duguid, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Chris Bentley, and Brant MPP Dave Levac.

"Six Nations welcomed us into their community and we found that our two cultures had much in common," said Lee; "such as respect for our elders and for the land we live on. To propose the solar farm will be the first project of its kind. At 9 MW, it's the largest solar farm to date in Canada, and no other nation and multi-national corporation have worked together before to produce this type of farm. The energy is estimated to power hundreds of thousands of households and the information technology retained in the community will open doors to job opportunities. We look forward to cooperating with Six Nations and thank Chief Montour and Council and members of the committee for participating in this historic project and ask for their pport in the years to come."

"This is a historic day," said Montour. "Six Nations has always said we are Keepers of Mother Earth. I think this agreement and Memorandum of Understanding is the first step in putting meaning to those words; putting action to those words. I believe there are many benefits of green energy. We hear of the crisis our world is in. I agree. But we can't just stand back and wring our hands. I believe it's time to step forward and become leaders and create a new day for Mother Earth. The source of this energy is from the sun, our elder brother. One acre of land with sun on it can power many, many units of electricity. By practicing responsible stewardship of Mother Earth, I believe we are following our duties."

Montour said that in the past, other companies have approached Six Nations with various project proposals but stipulated, "If I don't get your signature within a month, I'll take it someplace else. With Samsung, it was different. They said, 'Here's an idea. Here's the potential of that idea.' And that's all the business we conducted in the first meeting."

According to Montour, Samsung officials embraced Six Nations culture during the numerous meetings that followed. "I think they were the most boisterous people at our Pow-Wow," he said. "If we get to know each other and understand each other, there's greater potential for success. It was very clear when we met with Samsung that we are not content to accept one or two per cent royalty, but that we want to be part of any transaction. Our people are looking for jobs to feed their families, to educate their children, to live a life that's comfortable, and we can only do that by creating opportunities."

Citing the Six Nations code of respect reaching to the seventh future generation, "If I come back, I don't want to be accused of selling out or degrading Mother Earth, but of having taken a step toward giving our children a chance to build," he said. "We have taken initiative and signed an agreement toward looking at making this the go-to area in the coming green economy. We're talking about jobs that probably don't even have job descriptions right now, but that's the exciting part of it. This Memorandum of Understanding is not the end. It's the beginning. The hard work starts now. I'm really thankful that the third largest corporation in the world saw fit to walk this path with us."

Potential locations being considered for the first solar farm include "the old Fagan farm" and lands "on the south side of the Fifth Line Farm that Six Nations purchased a few years back, which is not suited for agriculture because it's scrub," said Montour. "It would provide 100 acres to feed into households in that area and it will reduce the electrical costs for our people and provide an affordable, reliable source of electricity."

Asked for specific numbers and details, "This Memorandum of Understanding is only the indication we are going to work together and things are yet to be determined," he replied. "It may be built in the old Oneida Business Park to funnel energy back to Six Nations. It is also being considered being built possibly through the Six Nations land down by Dunnville."

The Memorandum states Samsung's intention to develop wind farm and solar farm projects in Haldimand County area with generation capacity of approximately 240 MW, and that the Samsung and Six Nations will establish a working group comprised of six members with equal membership from each party which will meet regularly in the next year to discuss details more fully.

"Samsung's leadership has given us this very special day," said Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Chris Bentley, "but also showed us what can be accomplished with courage, foresight, understanding, patience and respect."

"I've been getting to know our Korean friends very well," said Minister of Energy Brad Duguid. "It's my fifth day of responsibilities and I'm looking forward to continuing and growing relationships between the province and Six Nations. I want to congratulate Six Nations and Samsung on their partnership. It's so important to work together and build a stronger economy and relationships and a more environmentally-friendly place for our children and our children's children. When Chief Montour spoke of seven generations ahead, that is what vision means. It really does speak well to the future of Six Nations. This is the beginning of the path forward that Chief Montour has been speaking of for some time now. I have gotten to know him very well and he is a visionary leader. It is an honour to be here today and see this happen before our eyes." Montour expressed his hope to see Six Nations become "part of the whole development -from making and assembling the panels, to erecting and maintaining them."