Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative

Process

The initiative is a phased approach:

Phase 1: Identify and train community Clean Energy Champions.

Phase 2: Support community-driven clean energy planning.

Phase 3: Provide funds to begin implementing project(s) to achieve diesel reduction goals.

Timeline

The initiative will take place over 3 years, with the majority of the work happening within remote communities.

• ‘Generating new opportunities: Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative’ launch and call for applications

  February 13, 2019

• Deadline for applications and Champion selection

  March 2019

  The external Indigenous jury reviews all applications and selects Clean Energy Champions.

• Phase 1: 20/20 Catalysts program period and community engagement

  April – July 2019

  Champions take part in the 20/20 Catalysts Training Program, a hands-on program designed to develop the skills to maximize community social and economic benefits of clean energy initiatives.

  Champions receive $20,000 to support community engagement activities.

• Submission of proposal for Phase 2

  September 2019

  The external Indigenous jury reviews all proposals to ensure there is a detailed workplan, team and community support for the Clean Energy Champion and phase 2 activities.

  If the jury determines a Champion is not ready to move onto the next Phase, they are not disqualified from the Initiative but will be given more time to complete the proposal.

• Phase 2: Development of ambitious diesel reduction vision and community energy plan

  October 2019–March 2022

  Champions work with their respective communities to develop a community energy plan, identify training requirements to support the plan and develop a detailed project implementation plan.

  Each community is eligible for up to $500,000 for activities.

• Jury Review

  The external Indigenous jury reviews work undertaken in Phase 2 and endorses transition to Phase 3.

• Phase 3: Project design and development to begin implementing plan

  October 2020–February 2023

  Communities start to develop their first clean energy project, identified through the clean energy planning process.

  Each community is eligible for up to $1.6 million for activities.

• Final feast and sharing of results

  Spring 2023

• Continuing Implementation

  March 2023 - March 2026

  The external Indigenous Jury will select the leading Clean Energy Champions and their communities who will be eligible for follow-on funding.

  Up to $9M in funding is available to support additional clean energy project development under the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program.

Support the transition to clean energy

Local renewable energy — wind, solar, hydro, biomass — can replace diesel, reduce the environmental and health impacts of diesel use, and create local jobs and economic opportunities for remote communities.

Reducing reliance on diesel can benefit communities by:

• increasing energy quality and reliability
• improving air quality
• supporting energy independence
• creating new jobs and learning opportunities
• reducing pollution and risks of diesel spills
• supporting community activities, housing and food security

Collaborators

This initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise (ICE SE) and the Pembina Institute.

This collaboration allows Clean Energy Champions to participate in the ICE SE 20/20 Catalysts program, which includes sessions with Indigenous leaders and clean energy practitioners from across the country. Participants and their communities will gain the skills and tools needed to maximize the social and economic benefits communities gain through clean energy initiatives.

Find out more about reducing diesel in Canada

Champions

Meet the champions

Our champions have taken on the challenge of leading their communities towards clean energy and reducing reliance on diesel. Read how they are fighting climate change and building opportunities for their communities below.

Leona Humchitt: Heiltsuk First Nation, British Columbia

Leona is a proud member of the Heiltsuk First Nation of Bella Bella, a remote, isolated community located in the central coast of British Columbia. In 2014, she was elected to the local Heiltsuk Tribal Council. Leona is currently taking SFU’s Executive Master of Business Administration tailored for Indigenous Business and Leadership. She is a proud mother to five children and grandmother to four grand children - her precious treasures. In Leona's words: "It’s a whole new level of love and makes her work in leadership that much more meaningful". Leona is ecstatic for her nation’s opportunity with the Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative and her appointment as a Champion for the 20/20 Catalyst Program. She deems this an opportunity to set the table “For our Children’s tomorrows.”

Sean Brennan: Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

Sean is the Energy Coordinator in Old Masset on Haida Gwaii. From the Ts’aahl Laanaas Eagle Clan, Sean has been working towards Haida sovereignty his whole career. Coming from a forestry background Sean has contributed to writing the Haida Gwaii Land Use Plan, helped develop Cultural Feature Identification programs for industry, worked directly with government and industry proponents to ensure Haida free prior informed consent through a forum called the Solutions Table. A proud father of three, Sean loves fishing and food gathering in and around Haida Gwaii. Sean is excited to see the next era in renewable energy production on Haida Gwaii and a separation from the Islands current diesel reliance.

Vince Robinson: Nuxalk First Nation, British Columbia

Vince spent the last 20 years working in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. He spent approximately half that time with a furniture company and other half at wood mill. Vince’s last years there were spent as an apprentice sheet metal fabricator. He then made his way home to Bella Coola and started as a labourer for his community. This led to his current role as Clean Energy Coordinator. Vince has worked for his community as a youth support worker, which up until now, was his most rewarding and fulfilling job.

Grant Sullivan: Gwich'in First Nation Communities, Northwest Territories

Grant Sullivan has been the Executive Director of Gwich’in Council International for the past 3 years. Prior to that he was employed by Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services as a Financial Controller. Grant has also owned and operated his own small business and enjoys the challenges of being a contractor. Grant attended primary and secondary school in Inuvik, NT then moved on to earn a Bachelor of Management with a Major in Finance, from the University of Lethbridge. Although Grant was born and raised in Inuvik, NT, he presently resides with his family in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Richard Nerysoo: Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories

Richard was born in a camp on the Peel River north of Fort McPherson, NT. He has lived in Fort McPherson, Inuvik and Whitehorse. Richard is a consultant and advisor with negotiation, political and policy experience. Richard served as Premier of NT from 1984 to 1985 and as a member of Cabinet for 10 years. He also served as Speaker and a member on several Standing and Special Committees. Richard began his Indigenous Leadership with the Indian Brotherhood (later known as Dene Nation) of the NT. Beyond this, he has played leading roles in the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Gwich’in Development Corporation, Tetl’it Co-op, and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Most recently, Richard was a member of several national agencies (e.g. Working Group on Natural Resources, Generation Energy Council) and presently sits on the AFN-ISC Advisory Committee on Fiscal Relations.

Alex Ittimangnaq: Kugaaruk, Nunavut

Alex is Inuk, born and raised in Kugaaruk, Nunavut. He is employed by the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, their municipal government. His job title is Community Economic Development Officer (CEDO). Before he worked as CEDO, he worked with Community Justice where he worked with at-risk youth and developed programs for them. Before that, he worked at the local school in different capacities. He is very committed to his community and he loves to see his people and community move forward. He is an active volunteer as the lead organizer and founder of their local hockey league and a coach for youth basketball.

Blaine Chislett: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut

Blaine is from Rankin Inlet Nunavut and is the maintenance manager for a Nunavut birthright investment and properties company, Sakku Investments. He is a proud father of 3 beautiful girls and he would like to see the north as a clean and affordable place to raise his kids and future generations. He hopes to see the territory move away from its heavy diesel dependent ways and invest in cleaner green energy.

Jimmy Arqviq: Gjoa Haven, Nunavut

Jimmy is a Building Maintenance Foreman for the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven. He has worked for the Hamlet for over 18 years. Jimmy is interested in green energy because the cost of power in Nunavut is so expensive and he would like to explore opportunities to reduce the cost for people in his community. Jimmy would like to see his community use cleaner energy and reduce greenhouse gases. Jimmy knows clean air is very important for our future, and is very conscious of the diesel used for power in his northern community.

Alex Cook: Baker Lake, Nunavut

Alex is an Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative Champion and Indigenous Clean Energy 20/20 Catalyst. He is the owner of ArchTech, a 100% Inuit-owned and operated start-up based out of Iqaluit, Nunavut with the vision of designing affordable, efficient, and resilient buildings for rapid deployment to remote locations. ArchTech has developed collaborative relationships with industry experts, academia, and government to accelerate the adoption of high-performance building standards in Nunavut by demonstrating to industry and government the financial and operational advantages of constructing to higher building standards. He holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Management and Leadership from Saint Francis Xavier University. He is the Vice-Chair of the Arctic Renewables Society and is completing certification as a Residential Energy Advisor with Natural Resources Canada.

Jessica Winters: Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, Newfoundland and Labrador

Jessica is an Inuk from Nunatsiavut, the Inuit region of Labrador. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland and now works as the Community Energy Lead for the Nunatsiavut Government. As a formal ecologist, Jessica sits on many committees that relate to energy, including the Nunatsiavut Government’s Climate Change Committee on Adaptation. She also is the Nunatsiavut representative for the National Inuit Youth Council and recognizes the importance of youth involvement in building a healthier future. She is passionate on restoring and maintaining Inuit values of stewardship and sustainability for modern day society, and looks forward to developing community energy plans for the 5 off-grid communities within Nunatsiavut.

Siobhan Slade: St. Lewis, NunatuKavut, Newfoundland and Labrador

Siobhan is NunkatuKvummiuk from St. Lewis (Fox Harbour), NunatuKavut territory in Labrador. She is a single mother to a beautiful little boy. Though by trade she is a heavy-duty equipment technician, she is presently working with the NunatuKavut Community Council in collaboration with Nunacor as the NATURE (NunatuKavut Action Team in Understanding Renewable Energy) Youth Council Coordinator. She has worked with researchers from the Universities of Dalhousie and Waterloo to develop renewable energy plans for three off-grid communities on the coast of Labrador. She is currently working on plans for six more off-grid communities, along with a food sustainability project for her home community. Siobhan is beyond excited to start this initiative and be able to help her community by being a leader in renewable energy for her territory.

Jason Aitchison: Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Quebec

Jason is from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, were he works as the General Manager of Kuujjuamiut Corporation, a community development organization. Jason is also a long serving member of the Board of Directors of the Nayumivik Landholding Corporation which owns and administers Kuujjuaq Category I lands. He is very keen to learn about potential green energy projects that could be feasible in the north. His goal in the program is to see clean energy initiatives developed by his community that will have the least impact on the environment, while maximizing the benefits to the community and working towards eliminating the regions dependence on diesel powered energy.

Tyler Jobb: Kinosaoo (Southend), Saskatchewan

Tyler is an ambitious First Nations Entrepreneur and is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. He is the founder of Jobb Developments, a rapidly growing contracting company based in Northern Saskatchewan. Tyler plans to bring Clean Energy Projects to his communities that will drive economic opportunities, sustainability, job creation & energy sovereignty. With the support of the Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative, including skills development through the 20/20 Catalysts program, Tyler and his communities will gain tools and skills to continue creating clean energy projects for years to come.

Meet the Jury

The external Indigenous Jury are an integral part of the Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative. With their wealth of diverse expertise, they have selected the Clean Energy Champions and will review their achievements and provide guidance at each milestone of the Initiative.

Meet the external Indigenous Jury

Leah Nelson Guay - Senior Advisor, Indigenous & Community Relations, Suncor

Leah is most well-known for her role in founding and serving as the past Chief Executive Officer of First Nations Power Authority – a membership-based non-profit developed to bring Indigenous Communities into the renewable energy sector though capacity building, investment, training and new business opportunities. FNPA continues to hold a membership of over 100 organizations and during her time, she was successful in securing government-based renewable energy contracts for projects with capital value in excess of $150M.

Currently, Leah has been fortunate to continue her work in the energy future and Indigenous-led economic development in her role as a Senior Advisor in Indigenous & Community Relations with Suncor Energy. This role has allowed her to continue to learn new ways to build strategic and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Nations. Previous to that, Leah was a Director at Integrated Sustainability, an advisory firm for sustainability in water, waste and energy. Leah specialized in Renewable Energy, Indigenous Economic Development and Entrepreneurship

Leah is a KPMG Alum and has supported entrepreneurs in innovation, commercialization, skill development and new venture creation. Leah also currently participates in the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative with Natural Resources Canada and has previously contributed to NRCan’s Generation Energy Advisory Council, the University of Calgary’s Sustainable Energy Development Advisory Board and has Co-Chaired the Calgary Chapter for WiRE, Women in Renewable Energy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Land Use and Environmental Studies and a Masters of Business Administration proudly from the University of Saskatchewan.

Norman Meade - Elder in Residence, University of Manitoba

Mr. Meade grew up in the Métis settlement of Manigotagan, and spent many years in Bissett Manitoba.

Norman is an active community member, serving as an Elder and a Pastor. He serves on various boards in the city of Winnipeg and is an Elder in Residence at the University of Manitoba. He is also an avid curler and is the founder of the Aboriginal Curling League of Winnipeg.

Norman spent 26 years with the Gov’t of Manitoba, holding various positions including employment consultant, local development officer, co-op development officer, and consumer services officer. In earlier years, Norman worked at the gold mine in Bissett as a labourer and miner. He also worked as a manager and pulp wood cutter at Wanipigow Producer's Co-op in Manigotagan.

Norman also spent four years with the Northern Association of Community Councils as a field worker and later as the Executive Director. He also worked for the Manitoba Métis Federation as a Métis Services Officer.

Sara Monture - Executive Director, Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario

Sara has spent the last 10 years establishing partnerships and economic opportunities between Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous stakeholders. She has worked with a wide range of industry partners to facilitate discussions with Indigenous groups on major projects across Ontario. A results-oriented strategist, Sara is a skilled organizer, researcher, writer and facilitator from Six Nations of The Grand River Territory.

Agatha Laboucan - Housing Manager, Yellowknives Dene First Nation

Ms. Laboucan is from the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation. Agatha championed the Lutsel K’e solar project, securing a power purchase agreement with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation that made the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation the first solar Independent Power Producer in the territories.

Agatha now resides in Yellowknife and works as the Housing Division Manager of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

Cleo Reece - Environmental Activist, retired Band Counsellor

Ms. Reece is a member of Fort McMurray First Nation, and a past Council member. Cleo is passionate about Cree language revitalization and oral history and taught at the adult learning centre at Keyano College in Fort MacKay.

Cleo is the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta delegate on the Mackenzie River Basin Board. She also holds a seat on the Treaty 8 Education Committee, and the Traditional Knowledge Steering Committee for the Mackenzie River Basin Board.

Cleo is the coordinator for the Healing Gathering for the Land, Water, and People, an internationally famous event produced by Keepers of the Athabasca. The event focuses on cultural, mental, physical, and emotional healing.

Andy Moorhouse - Owner & Manager of Moorhouse Group, Moorhouse Logistics and Expediting

Mr. Moorhouse is an accomplished Inuit beneficiary of the James Bay Northern Quebec Land Claims Agreement. Born in Montréal, he grew up in the Northern Village of Inukjuak. At age 20, he was elected as a Councillor for the municipality of Inukjuak. He went on to serve as Mayor of Inukjuak from 2003 to 2005. Most recently, he served as the Vice President for the Makivik Corporation, the legal representative of Quebec’s Inuit. He also served two terms as the Corporate Secretary of Makivik Corporation.

Initiative Details