[getsmart-l] Provincial Aboriginal Energy Conservation Program Launched in Thunder Bay

[Media Release]

Emacs!

Emacs!



Media Release - For Immediate Release - Photos Available

Provincial Aboriginal Energy Conservation Program Launched in Thunder Bay

(Thunder Bay, May 8, 2007)  First Nations 
delegates from across Ontario came together today 
in Thunder Bay for a two-day Mana-cha-toon 
Wash-ti-ni-gun (Conserve the Light) Gathering. 
The Gathering is both a platform for education 
about electricity conservation in First Nations 
communities and the launch of a province-wide 
electricity conservation program for Ontario's aboriginal communities.

The Provincial Energy Efficiency & Conservation 
Measures for Aboriginal Communities (EEMAC) 
program, funded by the Ontario Power Authority 
(OPA), will be rolled out to all 134 First 
Nations communities in Ontario.  Thunder 
Bay-based Charles Fox Consulting Inc. will implement the EEMAC program.

"Mana-cha-toon Wash-ti-ni-gun and the development 
of the Energy Conservation Kits are important 
steps," said Ontario Regional Chief Angus 
Toulouse. "I am pleased the Gathering recognizes 
the needs of First Nations communities on the 
electricity grid and those that are dependent on 
diesel generators-this program serves both."

"The OPA is committed to electricity conservation 
and efficiency," Dr. Jan Carr, CEO of the Ontario 
Power Authority, told the Gathering.  "The OPA is 
working directly with First Nations communities 
on a range of issues including long-term systems 
planning. We are committed to ensuring that First 
Nations 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."

The Energy Conservation Kits will include 
easy-to-install compact florescent light (CFLs) 
bulbs, faucet aerators and other devices that 
will result in immediate reductions in energy 
use. The kits will be delivered this summer to 
all 23,000 on-reserve homes in the 134 
communities.  In addition, five communities have 
been selected for a community energy retrofit 
pilot project, including Anishininaabeg of 
Naongashiling First Nation and Stanjikoming First 
Nation (both near Fort Frances), Slate Falls 
First Nation (near Sioux Lookout), and 
Sheshegwaning First Nation and Sheguiandah First 
Nation (both on Manitoulin Island).

The Conference was opened by a drum ceremony, 
followed by statements of welcome and greeting 
from Chief Harold Pelletier (Fort William First 
Nation), Mayor Lynn Peterson (Thunder Bay), Jan 
Carr (CEO of the Ontario Power Authority), 
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, Grand 
Chief Stan Beardy (Nishnawbe-Aski Nation), Grand 
Chief Arnold Gardner (Treaty #3), Tim Pile (Métis 
Nation of Ontario) and Deputy Grand Chief Glen 
Hare (Union of Ontario Indians).

"This Conserve the Light Gathering is the first 
of a four part program designed to promote and 
implement electricity conservation in Ontario's 
First Nations communities," said Charles Fox, 
Program Manager and Convener of the Gathering. 
"An important goal of this Gathering is to ensure 
the continuity and preservation of the culture of 
energy conservation in the aboriginal community."

He continued, "The Education & Awareness 
components are focused on educating youth on the 
importance of electricity conservation, and we 
intend to build this information into the aboriginal educational curriculum."

-30-

For more information, go to www.conservethelight.com, or contact:

Don Huff, ECO/Huff Strategy, (on-site) cell: 416-805-7720

Charles Fox, Charles Fox Consulting Inc.: 807-622-8008

Photos can be obtained by contacting Brent Kulba 
(ECO/Huff Strategy), 416-972-7401, kulbab(a)huffstrategy.com

In pursuit of its mandate of ensuring an 
adequate, long-term supply of electricity for 
Ontario, the Ontario Power Authority 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 and competitive electricity system.
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