Time to Shine

Results of First Nation visioning process on display

Members of the community stand atop the T'Sou-ke long canoe shed, where PV panels have been installed

The Upcoming T’Sou-ke Solar Gathering in July will showcase the community’s 75 KW solar array, recently installed by local tradesmen trained in the installation of solar technology. The systems – both solar hot water and PV – were an answer to the visioning process in which the First Nation looked at ways to sustain themselves down the road and secure a more energy efficient way of life for future generations.

“First Nations have experience in living on this continent for thousands of years without use of fossil fuels," Chief Gordon Planes has said about the initiative. "It is now appropriate that First Nations demonstrate how to live without fossil fuels once again."

According to one event organizer Linda Bristol, the Solar Gathering will be a day of knowledge sharing similar to the theme of a First Nation potlatch, with the dissemination of information. “Our target is to show other First Nation communities specifically ones that are off the grid, what they can do to reduce energy use,” she says. “We want to create the awareness, and provide information on how to obtain funding and how to implement the strategy. We’re saying: these are the steps and this is how it’s done.”

Friday will see speakers and presenters, a lunch and a series of workshops focusing on solar power and conservation. Three workshops will cover the ways in which a community can reduce their energy consumption by 30 per cent on an annual basis. One workshop will be focused on solar hot water, the other on photovoltaic and the third on conservation. After each workshop will be a tour of the T’Sou-ke, where the community has installed PV eclectic panels on all of their community buildings, from their fish hatchery to their canoe sheds and community hall. Many homes, including the hall, were also outfitted with solar hot water systems. The 10 per cent conservation energy savings workshop will be hosted by the T'Sou-ke Nation Smarty Energy youth group.

The group has created the T’Sou-ke energy challenge for the event and will challenge those at the gathering, including the politicians who will be speaking, to reduce their energy consumption by ten per cent. As well, product and service booths will be set up throughout the day showcasing renewable energy products and solutions.

Saturday will be a Solar Celebration for the T’Sou-ke Community, local First Nations and residents of Sooke District. The emphasis will be on celebration, with drumming, singing, canoe tours and artist booths. Individual tours will be conducted throughout the day, along with one on one time spent with any First Nations band who is interested in learning about renewable energy options for their own community. The cultural theme will focus on the integration of art and technology, no better expressed than in the solar panel on the community hall, in which has been carved a Coast Salish sun by local artists. The evening will end with a barbeque feast. Says Bristol, “We see it as a launch and a platform for many initiatives. “This is just a starting point.”

If you plan to attend the event RSVP J. Scott at jscott@tsoukenation.com.

For details and outline of events click here.