First Nation Communities receive funding for Energy Efficiency Advocates: Efficiency Manitoba continues making strides in energy efficiency
Efficiency Manitoba will be providing funding and support over a two-year period to enable First Nation communities to hire and train a community-based Energy Efficiency Advocate. Advocates will engage with their community and Efficiency Manitoba to create a community-led energy efficiency plan that facilitates participation in Efficiency Manitoba’s programs.
The participating First Nation communities approved to receive funding through Efficiency Manitoba’s Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program include the following:
- Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
- Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
- Shamattawa First Nation
- Lake Manitoba First Nation
- York Factory First Nation
- Ebb & Flow First Nation
- Red Sucker Lake
- Lake St. Martin First Nation
- O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation
- Pine Creek First Nation
The program will support economic development activities within participating First Nation communities. Energy efficiency projects will be undertaken by local businesses and contractors, which bolsters local job creation.
“Efficiency Manitoba’s Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program focuses on communities,” said Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and Minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba Jeff Wharton. “The Energy Efficiency Advocate will be employed by the First Nation, and the energy efficiency upgrades through Efficiency Manitoba’s programs will be completed by local contractors. This creates job opportunities at the community level and aids in economic recovery from the pandemic. And co-developing these energy saving initiatives with Efficiency Manitoba is another positive step on the path towards reconciliation.”
Each of these communities will receive funding for two years to support the hiring, training, and ongoing work of a local Energy Efficiency Advocate.
“The Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program helps to support First Nations in their efforts to reduce energy bills through energy efficiency at the community level,” said Colleen Kuruluk, Chief Executive Officer of Efficiency Manitoba. “We’re very excited to work closely with these communities and their Energy Efficiency Advocates to help them maximize energy efficiency opportunities and take steps to fulfil their goals.”
Almost half of the First Nations that applied and will receive funding through the program’s first application intake period are represented by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO).
“Today, I would like to proudly commend our First Nations of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, Shamattawa First Nation and York Factory First Nation on being the first MKO First Nations to take advantage of Efficiency Manitoba’s Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program. These First Nations will be able to obtain the services of their own Energy Efficiency Advocate who will work to help make their communities more energy efficient and help community members and businesses participate in Efficiency Manitoba programs. I am encouraged by the participation of these MKO First Nations in the program and I am certain more communities will engage in energy efficiency programming as the engagement work of Efficiency Manitoba continues,” stated MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee.
Communities apply for funding during specified application intake periods. The communities listed above were selected through the Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program’s first intake period. Efficiency Manitoba plans to open future application intervals annually, enabling even more First Nation communities to participate and receive funding for Energy Efficiency Advocates.
Learn more about Efficiency Manitoba’s Indigenous Community Energy Efficiency Program.
For more information, please email us at media@efficiencyMB.ca.