The Union of Ontario Indians want to break into the renewable energy market.
The First Nations advocacy group said there are "unprecedented opportunities" in the energy generation and transmission market for First Nations territories.
The union will host a series of community engagement sessions across the North in late January and early February to identify potential opportunities and partnerships.
"It may not seem logical that First Nations are talking opportunity and economic benefit during a recession," said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage in a Jan. 22 statement. "But for First Nations, the opportunity for involvement in energy development hasn't been more ideal."
Beaucage, who leads the 42-member communities of the Anishinabek Nation, said First Nations people have a "great deal to offer and not much to lose."
He sees opportunities for wind power development along the Great Lakes, land for biomass projects, and site locations for small scale hydro dams.
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