Clean Energy
Honouring Our Relationship With the Land
Since ‘before the memory of man’, the Inuit of NunatuKavut have lived in close relationship with the land, ice, sea, and all the life they sustain. Our knowledge systems and traditions have not only supported our own survival and well-being, but also helped European settlers navigate this place. Today, that symbiotic relationship remains at the heart of who we are, and it must be honoured in decisions about our energy future.
We believe in a clean energy transition that reflects this relationship – one that is just, equitable, and rooted in self-determination.
“Sustainable reconciliation on the land involves realizing the economic potential of Indigenous communities in a fair, just, and equitable manner that respects their right to self-determination.”
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
A Call for Just and Equitable Engagement
NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is committed to working with all levels of government to build clean, local power generation systems. These efforts must be guided by the principles outlined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
True partnership means consultation – not imposition – and Labrador has a long history of non-consensual resource development. Today, while the federal government has committed to green power for all Indigenous communities by 2035, the Provincial Government is building a new diesel plant on our traditional territory, with no plan to phase it out before that same deadline.
NCC has negotiated a new community development agreement with NL Hydro, building on our previous agreement around Muskrat Falls. We expect full and meaningful consultation, cooperation, and accommodation on all developments affecting our people and our lands.
Charlottetown in Crisis
The need for change is urgent. Many of our communities still rely on unsafe and polluting energy sources like diesel and oil, while electric alternatives remain out of reach due to high costs and infrastructure gaps.
In February 2024, during a cold snap that plunged temperatures to -40°C, a backup generator in Charlottetown caught fire – the second such incident since the original diesel plant burned down in 2019. With no long-term replacement in place, the town remains vulnerable.
While NL Hydro has proposed a more sustainable and centralized power plant with transmission lines, progress has stalled. We call on all parties to act immediately, in alignment with Canada’s 2035 clean energy goals, and ensure NunatuKavut communities are no longer left out in the cold.