Garden River First Nation harvests the sun for savings and to be a greener community

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY — Ketegaunseebee (Garden River First Nation) has renewable energy in place to be a greener community and neighbouring communities are on board.

Speaking at Day 2 of the Anishinabek Nation’s Economic Development, Lands and Resources Forum on Feb. 15 in North Bay, Ont., Garden River First Nation’s Energy Advisor outlined energy initiatives, partnerships, and how the First Nation is working on greener energy in new builds while helping members to be energy savvy.

Kristy Sayers, of the Crane Clan from Garden River First Nation, says their work has built successful relationships, both provincially and federally.

Garden River First Nation is modernizing Ojibway Park with solar power. That renewable power and water will be available at the campsites of the resort. Solar technology is being installed on park buildings such as the shower house and the boardwalk gazebo, too. A feature of the park is the Ojibway Park Trans Canada Nature Trail featuring a two-kilometre trail that is wheelchair accessible and free access to everyone.

“The Trans Canada Trail stretches for nearly 27,000 kilometres throughout Canada and Garden River is proud to be part of that network. Tourism includes Silver Creek Golf Course with the Arthrr Hills 18-holes championship layout and it’s one of Northern Ontario’s largest courses. We also have the Garden River Bingo Hall.”

Sayers informs that through astute business practices, Garden River First Nation continues to attain new funding for opportunities for the entire community. The success has created jobs and furthered community development.

The Comprehensive Community Plan developed by members has been an integral part in the decision-making. The priority areas for economic development for Garden River include tourism, capital project development, energy initiatives, and project studies. They are all built on the foundation of community planning, says Sayers.

She says the hope is to build awareness and become further educated on the actual cost of energy, including the impact on the environment and economy with their energy strategy plan or Indigenous Community Energy Plan (ICEP) created by Garden River First Nation.

“The community has been involved in the ICEP plan every step of the way. For each new project, there is community engagement such as webinars and events hosted,” she explains. “Usually, there is a survey completed to give us back feedback.”

Sayers says the community embraced solar technology as early as 2010 with 11 rooftops collecting solar energy.

“All of our brand-new buildings have the solar. We see the energy that is being saved.”

Sayers mentioned she would love to see a solar farm, adding, “we have more opportunities for federal funding.”

“This year, Ojibway Park is starting the planning for installation of a ground mount solar system to help lower costs on all energy that’s created by the park.”

Garden River First Nation’s various energy initiatives are funded through the Indigenous Energy Projects of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which regulates Ontario’s electricity market.

Garden River First Nation plans to make a documentary on the installation of the Ojibway Park Solar Project. Once completed, a community celebration will be planned. Sayers says social media keeps the community engaged.

“Ever since COVID-19, we try to keep the community alert and aware of what was happening in the community. We started a Facebook page and we have an Instagram page. It was created to keep all the community members informed on local information and community engagements.”

Plans include having students from JK to Grade 3 receive energy education at the Garden River school.

“We have plans of doing little energy-related learning for the kids because we want our younger generation to learn moving forward.”

Sayers gave tips on energy savings programs, highlighting the Ontario Electricity Support Program, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, Small Business Program, Energy Affordability Program, Home Winterproofing, and the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

The community’s energy challenges centre on funding larger projects, says Sayers.

“Most funders will cover about 80 per cent of costs but right now, timelines are being extended due to material shortage. Also, understanding energy in general. It’s understanding how we benefit as a community with energy.”

During her talk, Sayers played a video of Sault Ste. Marie Sustainability Coordinator Emily Cormier. The two women collaborate as part of a green energy partnership between Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River First Nation. They have worked together to educate the public on energy literacy and solar energy through webinars. Sayers is enthusiastic about the Sault’s willingness to participate.

“We have the same issues when it comes to contractors and any of those types of things when it comes to getting a project completed.”

Sayers says energy will continue to be measured as Garden River First Nation has been approved for the First Nation Community Retrofit Program.

“We are in the process of getting energy audited. They actually just came last week. We got to go around three buildings and we are going to get updated street lighting as well. That was something that was huge in our community that a lot of the members have asked for. It’s now going from HSP (high pressure sodium) bulbs to LED (light-emitting diode),” she explains. “I find everything goes hand-in-hand with energy, when it comes to new builds, buildings, anything building-related.”