With 2026 nearly upon us, Quinte News spoke with Chief R. Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte about the year to come.
He said that one of the year’s projects will be expanding water service to another 226 homes on the west end of the reserve.
“This year, we had a level three drought. Many of the wells in that area went dry. Many of them are polluted, and the groundwater on the west end of the reserve is pretty unreliable,” said Chief Maracle. “It’s a low yielding groundwater and so water lines will be very important to the community.”
Chief Maracle said there are also plans to look into energy production on the reserve.
“Ontario has to double its electricity supply by 2050 to accommodate growth in industry in Ontario,” he adds. “So we have seven proposals in partnership with some electricity producers. Of course, these projects are not, are not real projects until the ISO gives the green light.”
Some of the other plans they have for the year include building more housing, and working with Agriculture Canada on growing more local food crops.
