Remote Ontario First Nation Communities get first Energy Conservation Kits
Sep 7th, 2007 4:27 AM
Media Release – For Immediate Release – Photos Available
(Thunder Bay, September 7, 2007) The delivery phase of “Mana-cha-toon Wash-ti-ni-gun,” or the “Conserve the Light” project, began this morning at Thunder Bay Airport. A Wasaya Airways plane was loaded with Energy Conservation Kits (ECK) prepared for delivery to remote First Nation communities without road access.
This initiative is part of the Provincial Energy Efficiency & Conservation Measures for Aboriginal Communities (EEMAC) program launched in Thunder Bay at the Mana-cha-toon Wash-ti-ni-gun (Conserve the Light) Gathering last May. The Gathering was attended by over 130 representatives from 65 First Nation communities; EEMAC is funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
The first load of 1,400 kits are going to the residents of the remote communities of Kasabonika, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake), Weagamow (North Caribou) and Wunnumin Lake (each is 300 to 400 miles north of Thunder Bay) in Northwestern Ontario. The ECKs are transported on a regular Hydro One flight used to transport service technicians into remote locations.
The first flight was witnessed by Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro, Nishnawbe-Aski Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Hydro One representative Bob Shine, Marketing Coordinator for Wasaya Airways Stacey Levanen, the EEMAC Core Committee who have provided guidance and supported the program since inception (Biinjitiwaabik Saugeen Anishinaabek Elder Agnes Hardy; Wawatay Communications-Radio Director Adrienne Fox-Keesic; Bill Perrault of the Seven Generations Education Institute; Director of the Kwayaciiwin Resource Center Roy Morris; Sachigo First Nation Elder Solomon Beardy; Jon Del Ben, Recorder; and Whitefish Bay First Nation Elder Clarence White), and EEMAC Project Manager Charles Fox and Education Consultant Meladina Hardy.
Mr. Fox observed that, “After these kits have landed, ECK delivery will rollout to the 23,000 on-reserve homes in over 100 communities across Ontario. Each kit includes easy-to-install compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs, faucet aerators, pipe wraps, fridge and freezer thermometers, a low flow shower head, an outdoor timer for Christmas lights and other devices that will result in immediate reductions in energy use. Electricity conservation is critical for many remote communities with power often provided by diesel generators that require fuel delivered by aircraft or winter roads, both expensive procedures.”
The OPA is working directly with First Nation communities on a range of initiatives, including long-term systems planning, and is committed to ensuring that First Nation communities have access to the tools to participate in Ontario’s growing culture of conservation, in a manner that complements First Nations values and heritages.
In addition to the distribution of the Energy Conservation Kits, five Ontario First Nation communities are undertaking community energy retrofits and benchmarking projects: Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing and Stanjikoming (both near Fort Frances), Slate Falls (near Sioux Lookout), and Sheshegwaning and Sheguiandah (both on Manitoulin Island).
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For more information, please contact:
• Don Huff, e|c|o/Huff Strategy, 416-972-7404, (on-site Friday - cell: 416-805-7720)
• Charles Fox, Charles Fox Consulting Inc., 807-622-8008
Photos of the event and kit are available from Brent Kulba at 416-972-7401.
Details about the scheduling of other local deliveries, and information on the retrofits projects, are also available.
About The Ontario Power Authority
In pursuit of its mandate of ensuring an adequate, long-term supply of electricity for Ontario, the OPA creates and implements conservation and demand management programs, ensures adequate investment in new supply infrastructure, performs long-term, electricity system planning, and facilitates the development of a more sustainable competitive electricity system.
Communities receiving Energy Conservation Kits
Alderville First Nation
Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways
Big Island First Nation
Bearskin Lake First Nation
Beausoleil First Nation
Big Grassy First Nation
Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
Brunswick House First Nation
Cat Lake First Nation
Chapleau Cree First Nation
Chapleau Ojibway First Nation
Chippewas of Aamjiwnaang First Nation
Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point
Chippewas of Nawash
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
Constance Lake First Nation
Couchiching First Nation
Curve Lake First Nation
Deer Lake First Nation
Delaware Nation Council, Moravian of the Tham
Dokis First Nation
Eabametoong First Nation
Eagle Lake First Nation
Flying Post First Nation
Fort Severn First Nation
Fort William First Nation
Garden River First Nation
Ginoogaming First Nation
Grassy Narrows First Nation
Gull Bay First Nation
Henvey Inlet First Nation
Hiawatha First Nation
Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent Nation
Kasabonika Lake First Nation
Kee-way-win First Nation
Kingfisher First Nation
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
Lac La Croix First Nation
Lac Seul First Nation
Long Lake # 58 First Nation
Magnetawan First Nation
Matachewan First Nation
Mattagami First Nation
M'chigeeng First Nation
Michipicoten First Nation
Mishkeegogamang First Nation
Mississauagas of the New Credit First Nation
Mississauga First Nation
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
MoCreebec First Nation
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Mohawks of the Bay Of Quinte
Moose Cree First Nation
Moose Deer Point First Nation
Munsee Delaware Nation
Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation
Naicatchewenin First Nation
Namaygoosisagagon First Nation
Naotkamegwanning Anishinabe
Neskantaga (Lansdowne House)
Nibinamik First Nation
Nicickousemenecaning First Nation
Nipissing First Nation
North Caribou Lake First Nation
North Spirit Lake First Nation
Northwest Angle # 33 First Nation
Northwest Angle No 37 First Nation
Ochiichagwe'Babigo'Ining First Nation
Ojibway Nation of Saugeen
Ojibways of Onegaming First Nation
Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation
Oneida Nation of the Thames
Pays Plat First Nation
Pic Mobert First Nation
Rainy River First Nation
Red Rock First Nation
Sachigo Lake First Nation
Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Seine River First Nation
Serpent River First Nation
Shawanaga First Nation Ojibway Territory
Shoal Lake No 40 First Nation
Taykwa Tagamou Nation
Temagami First Nation
Thessalon First Nation
Wabaseemoong Independent Nation
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation
Wahgoshig First Nation
Wahnapitae First Nation
Wahta Mohawks
Walpole Island First Nation
Wasauksing First Nation
Wawakapewin First Nation
Webequie First Nation
Weenusk First Nation
Whitefish River First Nation
Whitesand First Nation
Whitewater First Nation
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Zhiibaahaasing First Nation