Blazing a new path forward: A case study on the renewable energy initiatives of the Pic River First Nation

Renewable energy remains one of the most contentious issues in the Canadian province of Ontario. To avoid a carbon-intensive technological lock-in of fossil fuel energy and mitigate the consequences of anthropogenic climate change, renewable energy deployment will need to accelerate in coming years. As a result of generally progressive renewable energy policy frameworks–especially in Ontario—this trend of improving sustainability metrics is expanding and new paradigms in renewable energy development are emerging. One paradigm is Aboriginal-owned renewable energy projects, which provide a host of economic, environmental, and social benefits. This article presents a case study of a historically marginalized Aboriginal band known as the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation, a leading Canadian renewable energy developer with over $124 million in total investments. Derived from several months of ethnographic participant observation research, the article explores the history of the Band's development process, elucidates some potential reasons for the Band's success, and outlines in-depth potential barriers to future projects.

► Aboriginal groups have an opportunity to sustainably develop renewable resources across Canada.
► Pic River First Nation has surmounted a lack of historical economic self-sufficiency.
► An outline of Pic River's renewable energy development history is presented.