Topic: Today’s News

On April 28, 2021, the Ontario Court of Appeal concluded its hearing of the  Government of Ontario’s appeal of the Stage 1 decision in the Robinson Treaties annuities case.  The case involves a clause in the Treaty, signed in September of 1850, that provides for the  augmentation of the perpetual annuity payable to the Treaty’s beneficiaries if revenues generated in the territory allow the Crown to increase the annuity without incurring a loss. The  annuity was augmented once in 1875 to 1 pound [$4.00] per person, and it has not been  augmented since. The Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations urged the Court of Appeal to throw  out Ontario’s appeal. 

In 2014, the 21 First Nations under the Robison Huron Treaty brought a legal action against the  governments of Canada and Ontario for breach of treaty, breach of the honour of the Crown  and breach of fiduciary duty. They also claim compensation for losses suffered as a result of the  Crown’s failure to increase the annuities as promised. 

“As a People, this colonial court process is not our preferred resolution to a disagreement  about treaty implementation, however, in the absence of a negotiation table, we have had to  utilize the court system to enforce Crown promises and legal obligations,” said Chief Dean  Sayers of Batchewana First Nation. “Based on the evidence presented, the Federal and  Provincial governments and Ontario residents can now understand that the Treaty is a sacred  agreement that has to be interpreted in a way that best reconciles the interests of the parties.” 

In December 2018, Justice Patricia Hennessy of the Ontario Superior Court released her  decision in Stage 1, ruling in favour of the First Nation plaintiffs. The court found, among other  things, that the Crown has a mandatory and reviewable obligation to increase the Treaties’  annuities when the economic circumstances warrant, and that the economic circumstances  will trigger an increase if the net Crown resource-based revenues permit the Crown to increase  the annuities without incurring a loss.

Ontario’s appeal of the Stage 1 decision was heard by a five-member panel of the Ontario Court of Appeal,  which was presided over by Chief Justice George Strathy. Canada did not appeal the Stage 1 decision – but  made submissions at the hearing, arguing that Justice Hennessy’s Decision be upheld. Five organizations/First  Nations were granted intervenor status and also made submissions before the Court: The Assembly of First  Nations, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, the Blood Tribe, the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada and the Union of  British Columbia Indian Chiefs.  

In their appeal, Ontario argued that the augmentation clause only obligated the Province to increase the  annuity to $4.00, although their lawyers did argue that the Crown was required to index the $4.00 to inflation.  Of course, this would obligate the federal government and not Ontario to pay for the increase. Ontario asked  the Court of Appeal to overturn the Trial Judge’s decision, including her findings that the Crown has a  mandatory and reviewable obligation to increase the Treaties’ annuities when the economic circumstances  warrant, and that the Crown owes a fiduciary duty to the First Nations.  

The Robinson Huron Treaty Chiefs would like to see the Ontario Court of Appeal uphold the Trial Judge’s well reasoned decision in Stage 1 and dismiss Ontario’s appeal. 

The 21 Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations continue to call on the Governments of Ontario and Canada to  negotiate a settlement of this claim. “We’re urging Ontario: drop your appeal,” continued Chief Sayers. “Stop  wasting money and get to the bargaining table. I’m glad we talked about the Ojibwe share of the value of the  resources [during the Stage 1 appeal]. It is time for Ontario to honour the augmentation clause to ensure that  the wealth generated from the lands and resources will also benefit the First Nations. Indeed, the Northeastern  Ontario economy will benefit from a settlement regarding compensation for the beneficiaries.”  

The Government of Ontario has also appealed the trial judge’s decision in Stage 2 of the litigation, which found  that the First Nation plaintiffs’ claims are not barred by Ontario’s limitations legislation and that Ontario does  not benefit from the doctrine of Crown immunity. The Stage 2 appeal is scheduled to be heard by the Ontario  Court of Appeal in June 2021. Canada has also not appealed the Stage 2 decision.  

The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the Stage 1 appeal, which it will likely release in the months  following its hearing of the Stage 2 appeal. 

The full hearing of the Stage 1 appeal is available to be viewed online at:  

VANCOUVER – Thomas Berger, a British Columbia politician, lawyer, judge and commissioner whose work led Canada to recognize Aboriginal title to land, has died of cancer at the age of 88.

Berger’s daughter, Erin Berger, said her dad was active until hours before his death Wednesday, despite receiving a diagnosis of terminal cancer just two months earlier with a prognosis of six months to live.

“He wanted that. Just a fast departure,” she said in a telephone interview. 

The man she described as “someone who never wasted his time,” had been revising his obituary, coming up with more book ideas and sifting through boxes of old papers, notes and cases.

“We kept finding more,” Berger said of the archiving of her dad’s files.

“He would say, ‘Oh, that’s a landmark in labour law, that’s a landmark ruling on Indigenous rights,’ he was hitting so many different areas of law,” she said.

Berger retired last year at the age of 87 but was still awaiting a court ruling on what will now be his final case, this one representing Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in its dispute with the Saskatchewan government over hundreds of acres of flooded land, Erin Berger said.

B.C. Premier John Horgan said in a statement that Berger was a “giant,” who “spent a lifetime working to address injustice.”

His daughter, also a lawyer, worked side-by-side with her dad for 15 years and said the key to his prolific and groundbreaking production was that he loved the work he did.

His arguments before various courts of appeal or victories at the Supreme Court of Canada were “just good, hard work that he always enjoyed,” said Erin Berger.

Thomas Berger was a former leader of B.C.’s New Democratic Party, a member of the legislature, a member of Parliament and a B.C. Supreme Court justice, but it was his belief in Indigenous rights and his compassionate management of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry that confirmed his place as an icon of legal and social justice.

He acted for Nisga’a elders in 1973 in a Supreme Court of Canada appeal that resulted in the first-ever acknowledgment of the existence of Aboriginal title to land.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement Thursday saying he joined Canadians in mourning the loss of one of the country’s most respected lawyers and Indigenous and environmental rights activists.

“Mr. Berger will be remembered as the consummate advocate. He not only gave a voice to the voiceless — he truly listened, and in doing so, empowered a generation of leaders to become voices for their own communities.“ 

Horgan called Berger’s work as commissioner of the Mackenzie pipeline inquiry in the 1970s an “unprecedented public consultation process,” highlighting unresolved land claims and the threat to wildlife and an entire way of life in Northern Canada.

The Queen’s Counsel lawyer received the Order of Canada in 1990 and the Order of British Columbia in 2004.

The statement from Horgan said Berger is owed a debt of thanks and gratitude.

“He spent a lifetime moving all of us towards a just society,” said Horgan. 

“His kindness and generosity will long be remembered. His thinking will continue to influence us for generations to come.”

Jody Wilson-Raybould, a former federal justice minister and Independent member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, said in a social media message that Berger was a “great champion of Indigenous peoples and rights.”

“A true trailblazer who helped change this country for the better while personally sacrificing to do so,” wrote Wilson-Raybould.
Berger is survived by his wife of 65 years, Beverley, two children and three grandchildren.

A small memorial is being planned for the family, Erin Berger said, while a larger celebration of life may be possible this summer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said Thomas Berger’s final case involved the Manitoba Métis.

The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Government, supports parents and caregivers as they strengthen and build a foundation of Métis values and cultural practices with their children. Through interactions with family and caregivers, children from birth to five year-years old develop language, motor skills and crucial social connections. Métis families pass down traditions that build strong Métis pride now and in the future. 

Since 2019, the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) has made significant investments in early learning and childcare programs and services for children and families. As part of helping families nurture and support their children, MN–S Early Learning & Child Care (ELCC) Ministry introduces a new Early Learning Backpack Program. MN–S continues to foster partnerships and relations with service providers, childcare professionals and families to improve early learning for Métis across the province. The Backpack Program is one way the MN-S is trying to provide Métis specific learning resources for Métis families. 

Registered Métis citizens with children five years of age and under can receive specially designed backpacks filled with various learning materials. Younger children will receive baby blankets, and older kids will get everything from markers and crayons to paper, scissors, tape and Métis-focused reading material. The backpacks contain materials to stimulate creativity, hand-eye coordination and learning development. Families will receive practical strategies and resources to help foster imagination and learning in the early years.

“MN–S recognizes the importance of supporting our early learners. During COVID, many young children were unable to attend childcare programs or early learning centres,” said MN–S ELCC Minister, Dr. Earl Cook. “These backpacks will assist young children, in their crucial years of early brain development, as they cut, colour, read, sing and grow.”

MN–S citizens who have registered children under a year old, will automatically receive a full backpack in the mail. For children aged one to five, parents and/or caregivers can obtain information on the application process by calling Kristi Ross at 306-292-7443 or by emailing kross@mns.work. 

Start the MN–S citizenship process today at https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/. 

New construction of 26 energy-efficient, affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate Elder-focused rental apartments for Métis residents has been made possible by the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Local 165, the Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI), Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) and a working partnership of federal and municipal funders. 

Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge affordable housing development will provide a unique living opportunity for Métis Elders in Saskatchewan. This Métis specific elders living complex will integrate community and cultural connection as part of the Elder’s living environment and wellbeing. The project’s primary focus is to address and overall improvement in the quality of life for residents. The Elder’s Lodge will provide affordable housing at below-market rates, focusing on community, social inclusion, and wellbeing. The building will focus on safety, energy efficiency and accessibility features for people with diverse mobility. The rental suites should be move-in ready before the end of the year. 

Mental wellbeing, spiritual and physical health will be addressed through Métis identity, values, culture and language being integrated into the facility. Residents will have access to community involvement, gatherings, a shared space for ceremony and multifaith activities, outings, mental wellness counselling, a fitness centre, exercise classes, a focus on healthy nutritional food, and access to medical personal and healthcare. Métis connection to the land will be ensured at the housing unit and urban setting with plans for green space with fruit trees and traditional medicinal plants. 

MN–S Local 165, CUMFI, has lead the development of this Métis specific Elders apartment living complex. Funding for the project has been made possible by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) through the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative (IHII), the City of Saskatoon (COS) through the Affordable Housing Capital Grant, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). 

Today marked the beginning of site construction, with a small COVID safe outdoor gathering and groundbreaking ceremony held at the project site on the 400 block 2 

of Avenue P South. MN–S Vice President Gerald Morin was in attendance to present the facility with an original work by local Métis artist Laurie Cameron. 

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and MN-S Western Region IIA were able to contribute a total of $1.5 million to the Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge through its MN–S Regional Housing Strategy and the Canada-Métis National Housing Sub-Accord. 

The MN–S contribution to the Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge moved the project from mixed market to fully affordable. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CUMFI and MN–S Western Region 2A (WR2A) to ensure involvement in the project’s operations. 

MN–S resident Elder Norman Fleury said, “An elders lodge needs to be based on piihtikway with a sign at the door that says, in all the languages that Métis speak, ‘piihtikway, welcome, come in’. That’s welcoming and that is culture. We need to find a balance in wellbeing and understanding of who we are in our language and culture. Regardless of age, teachings need to be shared. We want our elders to enjoy living who they are and connecting regardless of the time of one’s life.” 

In September 2020, MN–S President Glen McCallum issued a mandate letter to the MN–S Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. It outlines the MN–S commitment to providing housing support to the most vulnerable MN–S citizens, ensuring Elders have access to safe living conditions and closing the housing gap between Métis citizens and non-indigenous Canadians in Saskatchewan. A copy of the mandate letter is available here. 

MN–S President McCallum said, “Investing in the Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge project brings us one further step forward in our MN–S Government housing capacity building strategy for all MN–S citizens. Our Elders are our experts. Our elders have worked hard to be able to establish the wellbeing of our nation and we must care for their wellbeing also.” 

Earlier this month MN–S contributed to the health and wellbeing of seniors at the Goodwill Manor (GWM) Special Care Home in Duck Lake by investing in a cross-cultural partnership that will allow COVID protocol safe visits in a sunroom to happen now and cultural events for the residents, staff and the community, into the future. A full media release is available here. 

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is proud to announce the expansion of its early learning language pilot projects across the province.

On the brink of extinction, Michif had less than 700 fluent speakers in Canada, making this irreplaceable pillar of Métis history at risk of being lost forever. Language is a vital part of identity. The Michif Early Learning Pilot Project (MELPP) and Dene Early Learning Pilot Project (DELPP) are significant and unprecedented steps in preserving Métis culture. Announced as a two-year pilot project in September 2020, MELPP and DELPP recognized that implementing traditional language into education at an early age would be paramount to its preservation. 

Thanks to the foresight of these projects, today, over 130 kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students are learning Michif and Dene. The response has been overwhelming, with enthusiastic and staunch support from students, families and educators.  

MN–S Education Minister Dr. Earl Cook said, “We see the images of the smiling young faces engaged in the learning of our language, and we can’t help but light up. This program was introduced to help preserve Michif and Dene languages and encourage a whole new generation of speakers and educators. In just seven short months, we have surpassed expectations.”

In the 2021-2022 school year Dene language learning will continue for a second year through Northern Lights School Division in La Loche. The Michif pilot project will continue at Regina Public Schools, Regina Catholic Schools, Saskatoon Public Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Rossignol Elementary in Île-à-la-Crosse. Joining the Michif language pilot project in the fall are four additional school divisions; Prairie Spirit, Saskatchewan Rivers in Prince Albert and area, Prince Albert Catholic School Division and Northwest School Division in the Meadow Lake region. 

A successful start through education is paramount to early learning development. Often, children with a strong cultural identity and respect for multiple languages and cultures have increased academic success.

MN–S is proud to provide this unique and important opportunity to students. The success of MELPP and DELPP is shared among all Métis and Indigenous peoples as our traditional ways are honoured, our languages preserved and our right to educate our citizens recognized and respected. 

Incorporating the revitalization of language into curriculums across the province is an important step toward protecting and fostering the Métis way of life, a historic and enduring priority of MN–S. MN–S looks forward to continued leadership in language teaching and revitalization.   

This initiative is part of a broader partnership between MN–S and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society to revitalise Michif and Dene language within the Province. We will continue this important work together to protect, promote, and practice language preservation. 

Under the guidance of teachers, Elders and Language Keepers, this program will connect children with Métis culture and immersion in full-day Michif and Dene language programs.

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs vow to take tall steps necessary to ensure the  health of Wedzin Kwa – Morice/Bulkley River, the yintah and People in the wake of  the BC Supreme Court decision in Coastal Gas Link judicial review 

The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are deeply concerned about the environmental impacts on the Wedzin Kwa (Morice/Bulkley River) area in the wake of a BC Supreme Court decision to dismiss their petition for a judicial review of the extension of Coastal Gas Link (CGL)’s environmental certificate, the Office of the Wet’suwet’en (O.W.) said today in a statement.
 
“Our deepest concern is for the health of the Wedzin Kwa and surrounding watershed,” said Dini ze’ Woos. “If our Yintah is treated with wiggus – respect – then all life on it flourishes: fish, plants, animals and people. This includes not only our clans, house groups of the Wet’suwet’en people and our culture but also our neighbours that live within the yintah, in Smithers, Hazelton, Houston and Burns Lake, many of whose businesses and livelihoods depend on the beauty and wellbeing of the Wedzin Kwa.”
 
In the Judicial Review, the Wet’suwet’en had argued that before extending CGL’s permits the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) had a duty to assess new evidence of the project’s harms, including the findings of the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and to take into account CGL’s record of numerous instances of non-compliance. 
 
Despite dismissing the Wet’suwet’en petition, the Court found that important Wet’suwet’en interests are at play, and left the door open for further advocacy.
 
“The Judicial Review process was conducted under old legislation – before DRIPA, before the new Environmental Assessment Act – that did not give weight to the Wet’suwet’en unique constitutional status and rights,” Dini Ze Woos said. “This is a concern for any future decisions on major projects that are still being conducted under the old system, and which are threatening the health of our land and our people.” 
 
While the Court did find that serious potential harms articulated in the Wet’suwet’en petition disproportionally impact women, girls and gender-diverse people, the Wet’suwet’en are disappointed that CGL workers will continue to trespass on Wet’suwet’en lands while Wet’suwet’en concerns about harms to Indigenous women and girls go unaddressed. Of particular urgency is the fact that the majority of these workers are moving in and out of the yintah amid high rates of Covid infections throughout the province.
 
The nature of judicial review is quite narrow and so the finding that the decision was reasonable is certainly not the end of the matter. The Court based their finding on assumptions about what data may be contained in the EAO reports, the Executive Director made an error in not considering these reports, such as the MMIWG enquiry report.  The Wet’suwet’en will continue to advocate for informed decisions, demand for women and girl’s safety and for MMIWG Enquiry report implementation and to lead by example. 
 
The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary leadership is carefully considering the possibility of an appeal based on Wet’suwet’en laws.
 
“Our responsibility and our mandate as hereditary leadership under Wet’suwet’en laws are quite clear. We will do our due diligence and take all the steps we need to ensure the health of our Yintah and our people,” said Dini Ze’ Woos. 

Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, Indigenous Services Canada (BC) 
Isabelle Wallace, Primary Care Nurse. (Ontario) 
Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong (Ontario)
Hosted & Moderated by Marion Crowe, CEO, FNHMA

Following the presentation of the AFNQL Action Plan on Racism and  Discrimination towards First Nations, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador  (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard, invites media representatives to an interactive virtual roundtable in  English during which the theme of Women facing racism and discrimination will be discussed.  

WHAT : Virtual Roundtable 
WHO : Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First  

Nations Quebec-Labrador  
Mandy Gull, Deputy Grand Chief – Cree Nation 
Kluane Adamek – AFN Yukon Regional Chief 
Nakuset – Executive Director of the Native Women’s  

Shelter of Montréal 
WHEN : April 27, 2021 Noon to 1:30 PM 
WHERE : https://zoom.us/j/95933401156

About the AFNQL  The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL

ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (April 22, 2021) – The Anishinabek Nation and Iroquois Caucus Alliance on  Radioactive Waste have grave concerns that the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will develop self-serving policies which will potentially impact the safety and health of all occupants of this land. On this Earth  Day and Great Lakes Day, the Anishinabek Nation and Iroquois Caucus Alliance on Radioactive Waste are looking  to the public for assistance in carrying forward their message as they call for protection of our Great Lakes Basin  and Mother Earth in order to bring healing and restoration.  

“Much like Mother Earth, the Great Lakes face many issues that include pollution and invasive species,  demonstrating why a dedicated day is an added necessity to raise awareness and encourage all inhabitants of this  land to take care of them in order to bring healing to Mother Earth,” says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief  Glen Hare. “We need to protect our water bodies from anything that can harm them, and that includes toxic  pollution such as nuclear waste. We have made our objections to putting the nuclear industry in charge of  Canada’s Radioactive Strategy and believe that Canada should have an independent agency in place whose only  concern is the environment and its inhabitants and not if the nuclear waste industry has any future or not.” 

Canada is currently reviewing its Radioactive Waste Policy for the first time in 25 years; however, late last year,  Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan wrote a letter to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the  Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) requesting that the organization lead the dialogue and work  on developing Canada’s Integrated Strategy for radioactive waste. Because it is owned by the nuclear waste  producers, the NWMO is a stakeholder representing the nuclear industry. Indigenous people are not just  stakeholders but rights holders and their views must be heard directly and not filtered through an industry lens. 

In 2017, the Anishinabek Nation and the Iroquois Caucus of the Assembly of First Nations made a joint  declaration against the transportation and abandonment of radioactive waste. In February 2021, the Chiefs of  Ontario Leadership Council passed a motion to take a position on nuclear waste in Ontario. One addressed Nuclear Energy Disposal and Use and the other Small Modular Reactors and First Nations Energy Requirements. 

“Small Modular Reactors(SMRs) and nuclear power, in general,represent an unacceptable risk to our  communities,” states Grand Council Chief Hare. “The Anishinabek Nation continues to vehemently oppose any  effort to situate SMRs within our territory. The stance we have taken is in support of the seven generations to  come. We demand that the nuclear industry abandon its plans to operate small modular nuclear reactors in  Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.” 

There are five Great Lakes: Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie. Together they comprise the largest body  of freshwater making up more than 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply, and stretch 750 miles from east  to west, bringing drinking water to approximately 40 million people and providing a home to over 4,000 species  of plants and wildlife. 

“As First Nations people, we have a sacred responsibility to our lands and waters and call on all levels of  governments to invest in renewable power generation and storage solutions alongside efficient energy  transmission and distribution be utilized in place of nuclear energy,” says Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne  Archibald. “Indigenous Peoples around the world are consistently sounding the alarm that water needs to be  protected and we as First Nations people have a sacred relationship with water. Storing nuclear waste close to  our water sources is not an acceptable option. We use days such as Great Lakes Day and Earth Day to raise  awareness and encourage everyday Canadians to learn and join us in our calls to protect Mother Earth for future  generations.”

The Anishinabek Nation is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario, representing
approximately 65,000 citizens. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and
can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

West Moberly First Nations and Natural Forces are celebrating Earth Day with a newly-commissioned wind project. The Zonnebeke Energy Project is now supplying clean, renewable energy to British Columbia and consists of four turbines with a capacity of 15MW. It is located in the Peace River Regional District of Northeastern British Columbia, 16km south of Chetwynd and 9km west of Lone Prairie. The project will produce enough energy to power 5,800 homes. 

The project was developed as a partnership between West Moberly First Nations and Natural Forces, and was developed in tandem with a separate, nearby project, Sukunka Energy Project, which is a partnership between Saulteau First Nations and Natural Forces.

“The Zonnebeke project exemplifies the truly clean renewable energy the world needs to move forward,” said Chief Roland Willson. “It is through business partnerships and relationships like this that First Nations can and will develop true sustainable opportunities which in-turn enable the Nations to grow and prosper.”

“Working with Chief Willson and his colleagues has been a fantastic experience,” said John Brereton, President at Natural Forces. “We are very grateful to have been part of this project that will generate clean, emission-free electricity in British Columbia and deliver economic prosperity to our partners at West Moberly First Nations.”

In July, 2019, West Moberly and Natural Forces signed an Electricity Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro which allowed for the sale of renewable energy generated from a five-turbine wind energy project.

“We’re pleased the Zonnebeke Energy Project will add to BC Hydro’s clean, renewable electricity supply and help to power thousands of homes in B.C.,” said BC Hydro President and CEO Chris O’Riley. “We are committed to building and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous groups, including the West Moberly First Nations, and this project is an example of that.”

West Moberly First Nations is an indigenous community in Northeastern British Columbia whose mission is to positively enhance the procession of West Moberly First Nations ethics with respect, honesty, fairness, integrity, and self motivation by promoting open communication with members, Chief & Council and staff. Natural Forces is a unique maritime based private independent power producer that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada, the United States and Ireland.