Dozens of musicians gathered at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Community Hall on Tuesday for an informational session regarding the potential impacts of the proposed Wonder Valley AI data center campus on their traditional land. Community leaders and legal advisors led the session, addressing concerns and regulatory obstacles the $70-billion project by O’Leary Digital could face. The data center, planned to be built in the Municipal District of Greenview about 130 kilometers southwest of the SLCN reserve, raised questions among members, as the company was not present to address them.
During the presentation, SLCN lawyer Francco De Luca emphasized the importance of consultation to uphold Aboriginal treaty rights and comply with environmental regulations like the Water Act and the Environmental Protection Enhancement Act. De Luca expressed worries about the project, citing the exemption of a provincial impact assessment and the ongoing judicial review of the project’s water license as significant concerns.
Chief Sheldon Sunshine of SLCN highlighted the community’s close connection to the proposed project site, emphasizing its significance for hunting and trapping activities. Concerns were raised about potential impacts on wildlife, noise, and the environment, echoing discussions from O’Leary Digital’s previous open house event in June.
Despite the absence of the company at the engagement session, community members voiced their concerns about the lack of consultation and environmental implications of the project. The Q&A session was limited to SLCN-band members only, but Chief Sunshine described the conversation as productive, with residents seeking more information and clarity on the project’s future.
O’Leary Digital, originally set to host an open house alongside the session, postponed the event to a later date and ultimately did not attend. The company cited recent challenges and a desire for constructive dialogue with SLCN leadership in the future. Chief Sunshine expressed hope for meaningful engagement with the company to address the community’s uncertainties and fears surrounding the Wonder Valley project.
