The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is proud to share that Ratsénhaienhs Paul Rice represented the community at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) Summit, held on Thursday, May 15th in Montreal. He was a featured speaker on a panel entitled “Indigenous Communities: Essential Actors in the Energy Transition?”
The panel provided a platform for Onkwehón:we (Indigenous Peoples) to address an inclusive transition toward a low-carbon future. Kahnawà:ke’s message was clear: when it comes to renewable energy, our communities are not just participants—they are essential leaders.
Ratsénhaienhs Rice spoke about Kahnawà:ke’s leadership in renewable energy and emphasized the importance of including Onkwehón:we communities not just as stakeholders, but as full partners in Canada’s energy future. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing the need for rapid project implementation with the importance of Indigenous participation. Two major initiatives were highlighted: the Hertel-New York Transmission Line—a strategic partnership with Hydro-Québec—and two locally owned and co-owned wind farm projects, marking Kahnawà:ke’s growing presence in clean energy development.
“We need frank and open discussions,” said Ratsénhaienhs Rice, who leads the Economic Development portfolio. “Communities need to understand the projects, see the benefits, and be truly heard. These developments happen on unceded traditional land—our participation must be mandatory, not optional.”
