Vancouver, BC– Representatives of Salish Elements and the Indigenous government of Xaxli’p signed an Agreement in Principle (AIP) in May of this year to collaborate on the development of a 25 MW green hydrogen production facility in Xaxli’p territory. The representatives established the terms for a more detailed working agreement between the Xaxli’p Development Corporation (XDC) and Salish Elements to create a new partnership in the construction and operation of the facility.
Chairman Rueben George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Chief (Kukpi7) Darrell Bob of Xaxli’p, and the Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, formally announced the AIP at the Hy-fcell conference at Canada Place June 18.
Speakers gather for photo after announcement with CEO Omar Kassem. Left to Right: Bobby Watkinson, Charlene Aleck, Hon. Josie Osborne, CEO Omar Kassem, Xaxli’p Chief Darrell Bob, Chairman Rueben George.
The AIP was signed almost one year after Xaxli’p Chief Darrell Bob and Salish Elements Chairman Rueben George signed an MOU outlining an initial working agreement including engaging in a feasibility study and meeting with the Xaxli’p community about green hydrogen and its potential to serve the community.
The Xaxli’p community resides in the Squamish-Lillooet region of B.C. and is one of 11 communities that make up the St’at’imc Nation. Salish Elements and Xaxli’p are negotiating a land lease and other partnership details to construct the facility.
Salish Elements plans to produce the green hydrogen for the North American transportation market.
Salish Elements and XDC will next incorporate the partnership upon the success of a community referendum, which will allow both parties to enter a formal agreement for the construction of a facility.
Kúkpi7 Darrell: The Xaxli’pmec of Xaxli’p within the St’at’mic Nation are the stewards of their survival territory. Our people are proud to be creating an opportunity to work with green energy. We want to be an example of change and what that would look like into the future for the generations yet to come, and who continue to live and share in the relationship we’ve had with these lands since time immemorial. We are responsible.
Chairman Rueben George: We understand Xaxlip’s stewardship as they have been caretakers of their lands and water for millennia. At this critical time we need this important technology to create alternative energy. Like Xaxli’p, we [Tsleil-Waututh] make decisions for our future generations. We are honoured to partner with our Xaxli’p relations.
Hon. Josie Osborne: The partnership between Salish Elements and Xaxli’p Nation on this proposed green hydrogen project would help to create jobs and work towards creating a clean transportation sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.” Strong partnerships like this create economic benefits for British Columbians and First Nations communities while continuing to position British Columbia as a leading hydrogen economy.
View the recorded livestream from the announcement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X58AKxx6zcM
Salish Elements is an Indigenous owned green hydrogen supply and infrastructure development company founded by Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Omar Kassem. Salish Elements develops Indigenous owned and operated green hydrogen projects produced via renewable electricity across Indigenous and First Nations territories in B.C. and Canada.
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