Last week, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announced the Ignace-Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation area as the selected site for Canada’s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel. This decision, following a rigorous site selection process spanning over a decade, represents a landmark moment for the region.
As the closest communities to the $26-billion intergenerational nuclear Adaptive Phased Management program, Art Borups Corners in Melgund Township, alongside the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners, are well positioned to witness profound impacts and opportunities stemming from this transformative development.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our communities,” said Jamie Bell, one of the founding members of Art Borups Corners. “We’ve spent years cultivating participatory arts and community programming, and we’re looking forward to applying these skills to engage meaningfully with one of the largest projects in Canadian history. It’s an exciting challenge.”
A key component of the project will be the establishment of a Centre of Expertise in the siting area. Designed as a hub for technical and social research, the Centre will also feature a technology demonstration program that showcases the complete process of safely packaging and placing used nuclear fuel containers into the repository.
The centre will become a hub for knowledge sharing across Canada and internationally and a focal point for those living in the area to learn about the project through public viewing galleries and interactive displays. The centre may also serve as a hub for sharing Indigenous Knowledge, culture, history and traditions.
The design and use of the centre will be developed collaboratively with those living in the area, including First Nation and Métis communities. In 2022, the NWMO began working with local communities to develop a vision for the centre in a manner that aligns with their requirements and aspirations. This visioning process and continued dialogue around community interests for the facility will continue in both siting regions in the coming years, supporting ongoing dialogue and the unique opportunities the centre could provide.
In addition to being a home for world-class science and innovation, the Centre is expected to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding environment and provide a range of social services identified by area residents. It is anticipated to create high-value jobs for scientists, researchers, and experts from diverse disciplines for generations to come.
For Winnipeg-based youth artist Tony Eetak, a founding member of Art Borups Corners and its satellite Winnipeg-based arts incubator program, this announcement is curious. “The DGR is a huge thing, and I wonder how art can help explain it. We can use art to make people see and feel what’s happening with it.” Originally from Arviat, Nunavut, Tony has spent summers in the region and has been involved in projects like Our People Our Climate, which explore the intersections of Indigenous knowledge and climate change.
Bell highlighted the importance of including arts and culture in the narrative of this historic project. “The arts have a unique way of fostering dialogue and bridging divides,” he explained. “Through our programming, we hope to see more spaces where community voices are heard, and to make sure that this project reflects the aspirations and concerns of those most impacted and closest to it.”
The Centre of Expertise is also expected to support regional arts sector development and engagement. “We really want to see this new center making sure that the arts are not just an afterthought, but a central part of how this story is told and how these impacts are understood,” Bell said.
The NWMO’s announcement marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the repository’s development considers both technical excellence and the unique needs of the communities closest to it.
For more information, including reports and documents related to the NWMO’s decision, visit nwmo.ca.
