From solar installations to community energy planning and skills training, 15 projects across Kenora—Rainy River will receive more than $3.2 million in provincial funding.
Kenora—Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, Ontario’s minister of Indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation, announced the investment in Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The projects were selected through the 2025 intake of the Indigenous Energy Support Program, administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Applications for the program’s 2026 intake are now open.
Grand Council Treaty #3 is receiving $655,000, the largest allocation announced. The money will fund a community energy champion to coordinate local energy planning and projects. It will also support Treaty #3 energy engagement and capacity building, the development of new community energy plans and feasibility assessments for a proposed 100-megawatt energy and data centre initiative.
Couchiching First Nation will receive $430,000 to hire a community energy champion and implement solar projects.
Another $400,000 is going to Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation for renewable-energy operations and maintenance training, solar systems at its gas station and language centre, and a feasibility study for a ground-mounted community solar project.
AgriTech North will receive $330,000 for a year-round clean-technology farm and distribution hub focused on Indigenous food security.
The project includes developing a hydronic microclimate-control system that does not use synthetic refrigerants, developing a new non-compulsory skilled trade focused on operations and producing Indigenous-specific educational materials.
AgriTech North CEO Ben Feagin Jr. said locating the demonstration project in Northwestern Ontario will make the technology and training more accessible to northern communities.
“Being located in the North, close to the communities this system is actually built for, means we can lower the barrier to adoption in a way a Southern demonstration site never could,” Feagin said.
Eagle Lake First Nation and Northwest Angle #33 First Nation will each receive $250,000 for solar installations.
Eagle Lake plans to install a solar photovoltaic system on its community arena.
“This $250,000 investment represents an important step forward in our community’s long-term vision for sustainable energy development and greater energy independence,” Eagle Lake First Nation Chief Bernadette Wabange said.
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation will receive $174,000 to install the remaining 32 kilowatts of rooftop solar capacity on its multi-use facility.
Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation, Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation and Niisaachewan will each receive $125,000 for solar feasibility studies and updates to their community energy plans.
Animakee Wa Zhing includes the communities of Windigo Island and Regina Bay. Chief Linda McVicar said the studies will guide efforts to address their energy infrastructure needs.
“This support will enable us to receive two crucial roadmaps addressing critical energy infrastructure needs in our communities,” McVicar said.
Niisaachewan invested in four large solar arrays in 2009 and offered community members training in maintaining the arrays and installing grid-connected and off-grid systems in 2023.
Community leaders said the latest funding will allow the First Nation to keep exploring what energy independence could look like, build local capacity and consider opportunities connected to larger energy projects.
Shoal Lake 40 First Nation will receive $75,000 to update its community energy plan. Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation and Obashkaandagaang First Nation will each receive $50,000 for solar feasibility studies.
“From planning and innovation to equity partnerships in major projects — Indigenous communities remain key drivers of Ontario’s energy future,” Rickford said.
Funding is available through four program streams: capacity building, economic development, energy resiliency and monitoring, and remote-project development.
The remote-project stream is intended to help remote First Nations move away from diesel-generated electricity and develop transmission and generating infrastructure.
Ontario increased the program’s annual funding by $10 million in 2025, bringing the available total to $25 million a year.
Since the Indigenous Energy Support Program began in 2009, the IESO has awarded $107.5 million to 185 Indigenous communities and organizations.
