Caldwell First Nation becomes part-owner of major Hydro One transmission line, marking a pivotal step toward Indigenous economic empowerment in Ontario.
Historic Partnership Announced in Ontario
Caldwell First Nation has officially joined Hydro One’s Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line project as a 50-50 equity partner, marking a significant milestone in Indigenous infrastructure ownership. The announcement was made Tuesday and aligns with the community’s broader vision of economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.
John Wladarski, CEO of Northwind Business Development—the First Nation’s economic arm—said the move is a strategic win not just for Caldwell, but for Ontario. “If you remove the constraint, you’re enabling further economic growth,” he noted, referencing electricity shortages in supply-constrained areas like Windsor and Essex County.
A Return to Ancestral Lands
This equity investment comes as Caldwell prepares to host its first powwow on newly designated reserve lands, more than 230 years after the community was displaced from its traditional territory in Point Pelee. After a $105-million land settlement in 2011, the First Nation acquired 80 hectares, which were officially designated as reserve lands in 2020.
Members began relocating to the reserve in 2023, creating momentum for projects like the Hydro One partnership that could fuel further development in housing and local commerce.
Economic Reconciliation Through Ownership
Chief Nikki van Oirschot described the investment as a “transformational moment” for Caldwell First Nation, adding that the partnership asserts the community’s rightful place in Ontario’s energy future.
“This partnership is a testament to what is possible when First Nations are meaningfully included in the economic life of their territories,” she said. “It’s not just about power—it’s about empowerment.”
Growing Indigenous Equity in Energy
This is Hydro One’s second 50-50 equity partnership with Indigenous communities, following the Waasigan transmission line in northwestern Ontario. The utility has committed to applying this ownership model to all future transmission projects valued at over $100 million.
Hydro One stated that the Chatham to Lakeshore project, energized a year ahead of schedule and under budget, serves as a model for what can be achieved through collaborative development.
Backed by Provincial Support
Caldwell’s share in the project was financed through Manulife, aided by a loan guarantee from Ontario’s Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program, which helps Indigenous groups invest in large-scale infrastructure without risking community assets.
Legal expert and former Couchiching First Nation Chief Sara Mainville praised the approach, calling it “a recipe for better relations” and a key to building generational wealth through own-source revenue, not dependency on government funding.
Part of a Broader Indigenous Energy Shift
Caldwell joins several other First Nations across Ontario who now co-own transmission projects. These include the Bruce to Milton Line, Niagara Reinforcement Line, and the East-West Tie operated by NextBridge. In the north, 24 First Nations co-own the Wataynikaneyap power project, connecting remote communities to the provincial grid.
Wladarski confirmed that Caldwell plans to invest in up to five transmission projects within its traditional territories, using its growing economic resources to enhance community services and infrastructure.
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