Five First Nations on Vancouver Island are partnering with the province on clean-energy projects to power their communities.
The T’Sou-ke, Pacheedaht, Malahat, Uchucklesaht and Ahousaht Nations have all received money through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund — managed by the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation — which supports such things as heat pumps, solar roofs, home insulation and educational events.
Here are the Island projects:
• The T’Sou-ke Nation has received $492,910 for a solar installation to power the nation’s new community complex and health centre.
• The Pacheedaht Nation will use $149,646 in funding to make households more energy-efficient with such measures as improved insulation, and to hold public-information sessions.
• The Malahat Nation will be installing heat pumps, conducting a band-office energy assessment and assessing a rooftop solar-photovoltaic system with $149,646 in funding.
• The Uchucklesaht Nation received $500,000 for both hydroelectric and solar-power initiatives.
• The Ahousaht will create a community energy plan with funding of $50,000.
T’Sou-ke Chief Larry Underwood said the nation is “deeply committed to sustainable energy sources that minimize our impact on Mother Earth.”
The Uchucklesaht Nation, southwest of Port Alberni, will use the funding to phase out its use of diesel and expand its capacity for power generation, said Chief Wilfred Cootes Jr.
More than 150 nations across the province have received more than $20 million through the fund.
“Working together we create jobs, protect against future climate disasters and support First Nations in their work to safeguard and steward the environment and their communities,” said Environment Minister George Heyman.
