Two Mi'kmaw First Nations in New Brunswick are exploring a groundbreaking partnership to build Canada's first Indigenous-owned small modular reactor, or SMR, near the Belledune coal-burning power plant that must shut down by 2030. The project represents a significant shift in how Canada approaches nuclear energy development, centering Indigenous leadership and community benefit in the clean energy transition.

What Are Small Modular Reactors and Why Do They Matter?

Small modular reactors are nuclear power plants that produce roughly one-third the power of traditional full-scale reactors like New Brunswick Power's Candu-6 reactor. What makes them "modular" is their design: components are factory-built in one location and then assembled elsewhere, making them transportable by ship to remote or coastal communities.

For the Belledune project, the initial phase could supply enough baseload power for up to 40,000 homes, addressing a critical energy gap as Canada phases out coal. The technology also offers a unique advantage: at the end of its operational life, the reactor can be removed by the same heavy-lift ship that delivered it, leaving behind no waste or long-term cleanup costs.

How Are First Nations Leading This Nuclear Initiative?

Leaders from Pabineau (Oinpegitjoig) and Eel River Bar (Ugpi'ganjig) First Nations say they're considering a proposal to host the SMR on their traditional territory. Pabineau Chief Terry Richardson emphasized the environmental urgency and the potential for broader Indigenous participation across New Brunswick.

"The amount of CO2 that's being released into the environment is astronomical. Right now, it's in Pabineau and Eel River Bar traditional territory and we'll lead it. But at some point, why not all First Nations communities in New Brunswick get a part of it?" said Pabineau Chief Terry Richardson.

Terry Richardson, Chief of Pabineau First Nation

Eel River Bar band councillor Karen Narvie added that her community of 900 registered members is growing and looking for sustainable revenue sources and employment opportunities. She noted that any approved project would need to contribute to community wellness, including health services, housing, and recreational facilities like an ice rink.

What Role Does Prodigy Clean Energy Play?

Prodigy Clean Energy, a Canadian company, has been meeting with First Nations members and has earned their trust through what band leaders describe as honest and sincere partnership discussions. The company received $2.75 million in federal funding to develop transportable nuclear power plants that could be assembled at the Port of Belledune and shipped to destinations across Canada and beyond.

"Our technology is really an opportunity to bring power to the North and really help bring reliable baseload power to communities but also to defence applications, and also help Canada to explore massive untapped mineral deposits in the North," said Mathias Trojer, president and chief executive officer of Prodigy Clean Energy.

Mathias Trojer, President and CEO of Prodigy Clean Energy

Trojer explained that the transportable reactors could be delivered to remote and coastal communities where grid access is limited, addressing energy needs in regions that have historically struggled with reliable power supply.

How Is Canada Supporting Indigenous Nuclear Development?

Canada's national nuclear strategy, released in June 2026, calls for up to 10 new large-scale reactors to be built in the country, with at least one reactor deployed outside Ontario by 2035. The strategy explicitly prioritizes Indigenous participation and economic reconciliation.

• Indigenous Capacity-Building: The federal government has committed to making Indigenous capacity-building and equity participation key priorities for nuclear funding and financing decisions.
• Direct Employment: The strategy emphasizes direct employment in the nuclear workforce as a core benefit for Indigenous communities involved in reactor projects.
• Equity Ownership: First Nations are being offered equity stakes in nuclear projects, similar to the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario, where seven Ontario First Nations have been promised partial ownership of four planned SMRs.

A draft policy on financing these projects is expected by April 2027, but the federal government has already signalled that these initiatives should advance economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

What Are the Next Steps for the New Brunswick Project?

Band leaders are planning community visits to existing nuclear facilities to build knowledge and confidence in the technology. Eel River Bar councillor Karen Narvie noted that community elders have expressed interest in touring the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and visiting SMR suppliers in Ontario to see the technology firsthand.

Band leaders are also expected to travel to Ontario this fall to observe Canada's first SMR under construction at the Darlington New Nuclear Project. These site visits represent a critical step in community decision-making, allowing members to evaluate the technology and its safety record before committing to hosting a reactor on their traditional territory.

Why Does This Project Matter for Canada's Energy Future?

The Belledune project addresses multiple national priorities simultaneously. The coal-burning Belledune generating station must cease operations by 2030 under federal climate commitments, creating an urgent need for replacement baseload power. An Indigenous-led SMR project would provide that power while advancing reconciliation, creating jobs, and generating revenue for communities that have historically borne the environmental costs of industrial energy production.

The project also positions Canada as a leader in transportable nuclear technology, with potential applications across the Arctic and remote regions where energy access remains a critical challenge. If successful, the model could be replicated across other First Nations communities and exported internationally, creating a new economic opportunity for Indigenous-led clean energy development.