BC Hydro’s plans to give the controversial dam and reservoir Indigenous language names are being called inappropriate by a First Nations chief whose traditional territory was flooded by the megaproject
BC Hydro says the Site C dam and reservoir will be given Indigenous names after the $16-billion energy project flooded dozens of sites of cultural and spiritual value for Treaty 8 nations. Photo: BC Hydro
The Narwhal: After flooding Treaty 8 territory to build the Site C project, BC Hydro says it plans to give the $16-billion dam and its newly created reservoir Indigenous language names.
In a recent report, the public utility says Indigenous language names were recommended and “advanced for consideration” following BC Hydro’s engagement with 13 Indigenous nations affected by the project on Treaty 8 territory in northeast B.C.
It’s a move that has prompted at least one First Nations leader to call the plan inappropriate.
“I find it extremely offensive that they are considering placing an Indigenous name on it,” West Moberly First Nations Chief Roland Willson told The Narwhal.
BC Hydro flooded 83 kilometres of the Peace River this fall to create a large reservoir that also partially flooded seven of the river’s tributaries. Reservoir filling followed almost a decade of dam construction, overshadowed by huge cost overruns, First Nations lawsuits and serious geotechnical issues that were hidden from the public.
“Participation in the naming of Site C provides the opportunity to acknowledge the presence of the project on Indigenous traditional lands and contributes to reconciliation,” BC Hydro’s report to the B.C. Utilities Commission says.
But Willson said giving the Site C dam and its reservoir Indigenous names flies in the face of reconciliation, noting his nation is deeply impacted by the project.
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