Deninu Kųę́ First Nation pulls plug on Taltson Hydro Expansion

The Deninu Kųę́ First Nation (DKFN) is suspending support for the Taltson Hydro Expansion project, claiming it has been “sidelined, marginalized, and excluded” from discussions surrounding another major project on the other side of Great Slave Lake, the Arctic Economic Security Corridor.

Deninu Kųę́ First Nation Chief Louis Balsillie announced the decision after he walked out of a Taltson meeting on Wednesday, “leaving the other Indigenous groups to sit with the GNWT, and they … signed the agreement to move it forward amongst themselves.”

“So. we’re taking a stand that we will not support this Taltson Hydro Expansion, (as our) community of Denı́nu Kų́ę́/Fort Resolution was left out of the Arctic Economic Security Corridor,” the Chief posted on social media.

“DKFN Chief Council have determined that DKFN cannot support and will object to the Taltson Hydro Expansion unless there is a recognition that DKFN is most impacted by the Taltson generation facility’s expansion.

“DKFN needs commitments that it will be at the table to participate in the AESC and that it will participate in the economy and benefits (including through impact benefit agreements and other arrangements) for mining infrastructure project in the North Slave.”

Some of Chief Balsillie’s reasons behind his First Nation’s position:

• There has been a long history of DKFN being excluded from the benefits of development in the North Slave and DKFN has had to fight to get scraps from the minds in the North Slave Region.
• Power generated in the South Slave by an expansion of Taltson will primarily benefit infrastructure potential of new mining development in the North Slave, not the South Slave.
• The Department of National Defence will benefit from the Taltson extension for the infrastructure that will needed (in Yellowknife), how does DKFN benefit in this?
• There are no commitments from Canada or GNWT, Tłı̨chǫ or Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) that DKFN will benefit from the increased development arising from the increased power generation going to the North Slave and the reduction of the grid vulnerabilities in the North Slave.
• DKFN is continuing to be sidelined, marginalized, and excluded from the decision in DKFN’s areas of interest the most recent example is the agreement of Tłı̨chǫ, YKDFN on the alignment of the Arctic Economic Security Corridor.
• The AESC was announced by Tłı̨chǫ and YKDFN as an Indigenous project by the Tłı̨chǫ end YKDFN in partnership with the government. Why was DKFN excluded?
• DKFN Chief and Council have determined that DKFN cannot support and will object to the Taltson Hydro Expansion unless there is a recognition that DKFN is most impacted by the Taltson generation facility’s expansion.
• DKFN needs guarantees that it will receive procurement opportunities for the Taltson Hydro Expansion.
• DKFN needs commitments that it will be at the table to participate in the AESC and that it will participate in the economy and benefits.

CKLB has reached out to the territorial and federal governments for response to Chief Balsillie’s position.

In June, following meetings with the Taltson Steering Committee in Yellowknife, Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains Minister Caroline Wawzonek stated that, “there is renewed momentum behind the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project and a clearer path for the work ahead.”

At the AESC announcement at the NWT Legislative Assembly on August 18th, Minister Wawzonek said: “There’s more work to be done within this corridor to define that route, and of course, and critically, there is further engagement that needs to be done with other Indigenous governments.”

At that same announcement, Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty said: “We want to create opportunities for our two nations and also our neighboring Indigenous governments as well.”

He continued: “We’ve already reached out to them, and that there will be plenty of opportunities for other nations to come on board. We’ve set the doors open for them, and we’re here today, and addressing that in public as well: That we all need to work together to make this a reality.”

The GNWT states that Taltson is foundational to the Northwest Territories’ clean energy future, as it would expand hydro capacity, connect 11 communities through an integrated hydro grid, improve reliability, reduce diesel use, and support responsible economic development.

It will also help position the Northwest Territories as a key part of Canada’s Arctic and economic security.

On March 12, 2026, the Government of Canada referred Taltson to the federal Major Projects Office

The Taltson Hydro Facility is located approximately 322 kilometres straight-line distance from Denı́nu Kų́ę́/Fort Resolution. It currently connects via transmission lines to South Slave Region communities.