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involved with development.
“
We have to be at the table to
ensure that mines are developed prop-
erly. We want to know that there are
training opportunities, whether there
will be any potential negative impacts
to the land, we want to weigh what is
acceptable and what isn’t,” he says.
The Band looks at various ben-
efits to their communities from these
partnerships, including long term
sustainable employment opportuni-
ties, and in some cases, revenue shar-
ing. The Band has also taken a serious
stance on green energy and minimiz-
ing the carbon footprint their commu-
nities have.
In 2009, the Band developed a
community energy efficiency plan to
look at options for alternative energy
development. Currently, the Band is
evaluating wind power opportunities
and has been actively involved in hy-
droelectric projects.
“
We are analyzing data from ini-
tial studies for a wind farm. And we
have gone past the first phases for fea-
sibility on some major hydroelectric
projects, this is a very exciting time
for us,” Quinn notes. The Band’s joint
venture hydroelectric projects have
100
MW of potential.
The Band is also interested in so-
lar energy and has a pilot project
combining solar and geothermal
energy. This project exemplifies
the potential for development in
the future. ALIB Is also trying to
revitalize their agriculture efforts,
maximizing territory land “getting
back to the Band’s roots.”
Any agreement that the Band en-
ters with a partner is intended to gen-
erate benefits for the ALIB community.
“
We want to make sure that develop-
ers do what they say they’re planning
to do.”
VISION AND STRATEGY
Clearly, ALIB has been diversify-
ing its interest to benefit the commu-
nities it encompasses. The Band has a
comprehensive community plan
based on its vision—a vision held
by the entire community. “We
know what we have to do, and
now we need to do it,” Quinn
explains. “When it comes to
health, education, resources, taxation,
finance—all of these areas have work
plans directly attached to annual bud-
gets that are developed with our stra-
tegic plan in mind.”
And this strategic plan is based
on one key factor: self-sufficiency. The
Band boasts a high human resource
capacity, and intends to grow and cul-
tivate that as partnerships are formed
and new ventures are launched. “It all
comes down to how we can work bet-
ter together, and with our partners. We
want our relationships to be win-win,
and ensure that the results are positive
for everyone.”
