The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power announced on July 18 that they had entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly market new isotopes for cancer treatment. In addition, the agreement provides for further collaboration, potentially creating new economic opportunities within the SON territory by establishing new isotope infrastructure. The agreement leverages a related project announced earlier to produce Lutetium-177.
“This is a historic partnership between Bruce Power and the SON that will see us join forces in the fight against cancer worldwide as we work to develop new isotopes, starting with Lutetium-177,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “By working together we can find innovative ways to market and promote this global leadership opportunity for both Ontario and Canada while creating economic benefits for SON.”
Bruce Power and SON have been exploring this opportunity to work together for several months, and this agreement followed extensive dialogue and community engagement sessions at both Saugeen First Nation and the Nawash Unceded First Nation in June and July.
“Many of our community members have been impacted by cancer in some way, and I believe that working with Bruce Power on the next generation of life-saving isotopes in the SON Territory is an opportunity for us to have a positive impact on the people and families touched by cancer,” said Greg Nadjiwon, Chief of Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. “This is a historic partnership not only for us here in our Territory as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, but it is bigger than us as we work to develop a project that will be important for Canada and the world.”
“This partnership will allow us to jointly market this project and engage governments to align this Project with their priorities and goals. We will be playing a leadership role in the fight against cancer and at the same time building economic opportunities within the SON Territory and for our SON Communities and Community members,” said Lester Anoquot, Chief of Saugeen First Nation.
See the related story, "Bruce Power forms partnership to produce a new line of medical isotopes."