Last week, elected and hereditary chiefs of 11 Northern BC First Nations communities announced at the First Nations Energy Summit that they were forming a “historic joint collaboration between the nations and hereditary” called “K’uul Power.”

The reason for the collaboration is to pursue ownership and development of renewable energy projects in the region together. Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Nisga’a, Haisla, Nadleh Whuten, Nazko, Tsil kaz koh, Nee Tahi Bunh, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Hereditary Chief Samooh of Birch House and Witset are the first 11 to join and form K’uul Power.

K’uul is a Sm'álgyax word in the Tsimshian language meaning "one." Wesley Sam, chief of Ts’il Kaz Koh and K’uul Power Board chair, spoke with CFNR about the meaning behind the name, what this collaboration hopes to achieve, all involved and what is first on the agenda.

According to Sam, “some First Nations still don’t have access to three-phase power, meaning they can’t participate in the new green economy.”

K’uul Power was created by First Nations in partnership with the B.C. and federal governments, BC Hydro and other private corporations.

Listen to the CFNR story below: