b'Sean Hanlon, CEO, Dillon Consulting Ltd. Tim Lavoie, Vice President of Corporate Servicesand Indigenous Relations, FortisOntario.By 2024, this 1,800-km transmission line is expected to connect 17 remote First Nation communities to the energy grid in northwestern Ontario.But getting to that point was no easy feat for either First Nation company. For Wataynikaneyap, community discussions began in 2007. Out of those discussions, according to Wataynikaneyap CEO Margaret Kenequanash, there were only two mandates: connect to the grid and own the transmission line. It still took a few more years for 24 First Nations to come on board and sign an agreement to worktogether. The partnership with FortisOntario also didnt happen overnight. Kenequanash says it took a while toPowering possibilityfind the right partner: We had all sorts of people interestedsome told me its not possible, others toldOpportunity and innovation happen when we come together to listen, learn me well do it and you guys canand share perspectives. As Canadas leading integrated energy company, have 20 per cent, and another saidwere committed to an energy future with possibilities for everyone.well do 50/50.With meaningful collaboration and partnership theres no limit to whatBut they stayed focused on owner- we can all accomplish together.ship of the transmission line and kept looking until they found the right partner. I think its important,www.suncor.comas we go into partnership discus-sions with any industry, that First FORWARD MAGAZINE | VOLUME 1 2022 13'