Development of the Keeyask Project is a collaborative effort between Manitoba Hydro and four Manitoba First Nations – Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation (acting as the Cree Nation Partners), York Factory First Nation, and Fox Lake Cree Nation – working together as the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP).
The parties negotiated a Joint Keeyask Development Agreement (JKDA, Manitoba Hydro), an agreement that governs how the project will be developed. It also sets out understandings related to the potential income opportunities, training, employment, business opportunities and other related matters.
Manitoba Hydro provides the administrative and management services for the KHLP and will own at least 75 per cent of the equity of the partnership. the four Manitoba First Nations, known collectively as the Keeyask Cree Nations, together have the right to own up to 25 per cent of the partnership.
Recently, the Keeyask Cree Nation partners have called upon Manitoba Hydro to renegotiate the JKDA, as delays in the project schedule and increases in costs have resulted in negligible financial returns and the potential of significant financial losses from the Agreement under its current form.