island first nation grasps potential of alternative power - all in one solar street light

When the oil pipeline debate
From the coast to the coast, a small First Nation of Vancouver Island leads on different roads.
In the past five years
This country has become a world.
A well-known leader in solar energy.
Their project is a model for the capital region and the rest of the province.
They are also very windy.
The energy cooperation project will provide more power to all areas of Vancouver Island and power on the electricity network connecting the mainland.
And the mustard Plantation, an experiment made in cash.
Crops that contribute to financial and food security for communities.
Both these and other projects stem from the community vision, which aims to bring members back together and develop plans for future generations.
"As we are all involved in developing a collective vision to provide a safe and healthy community, we look forward to the future and say," to ensure that our grandchildren have a safe future, what do we need to start doing now?
Said director Gordon.
The answer is divided into four parts: energy security, food security, cultural rejuvenation and economic self. sufficiency.
Although this vision is for T'Sou-
Its influence has expanded to communities, academics, and governments, as it is in collwood, even in Sweden.
The plane not only welcomes interest and expansion, but is vital, he said.
"Education is the key to sustainable development.
We must do it together.
Set aside our differences, go in the same canoe
"There is not much time," he said . ".
The first small state of Vancouver Island is rising to become the leader of modern clean energy and a model of the traditional sustainable life that residents embrace for generations.
"There has never been a name for this way of life.
"It's really a way of life that my ancestors passed on to my grandparents and parents, and now, hopefully we'll pass on to my children and so on," Linda Bristol said . ", A cultural consultant who was once "Su-
The first country near Sooke.
In recent years, indigenous communities have used new technologies to support traditional lifestyle values and help them thrive in the modern world and economy.
T'Sou-last September-
Ke is the first indigenous community in the world to be designated as a solar community.
The solar project of several First Nations in the corwood, the capital region and the province is in accordance with T'Sou-ke has done.
The first country is also developing wind power, which is an income.
Create a mustard plantation and revitalize the seaside.
It attracts scholars from all over the world to study its success, provides guidance to other indigenous communities and emphasizes culture.
About five years ago, T'Sou-
Ke decided to develop a comprehensive community plan to address the problems of its members.
The first challenge is to get everyone involved in the process from the meeting.
"It's not just a newsletter, the phone calls and the voicemail are all left and say, 'We really want to see you there, 'Bristol said. '".
The first meeting went well-
Attended the meeting and visited people's homes with focus groups and dinner to discuss their concerns.
"It did unite the community because everyone put their ideas on the table," Bristol said . ".
What evolved from the conference was a community plan designed to serve future generations and respect the traditions of the past.
Gordon Airlines says it's one. to-the-The future approach.
"We all need to go back to traditional values and respect Mother Earth, and if we are to succeed in moving forward in a sustainable way, all life must be considered sacred," the plane said . ".
"As we are all involved in developing a collective vision to provide a safe and healthy community, we look forward to the future and say:" to ensure that our grandchildren have a safe future, what do we need to start doing now?
"Energy security, food security, cultural rejuvenation and economic self-protection"
"Adequate is identified as a priority," he said . ".
These four principles are the backbone of all community planning.
Bristol described her childhood collection of salmonella, roots and bean sprouts in the forest, and the collection of mussels and clams on the shore.
She said her father would use harpoon fish for dinner while the salmon ran.
"I remember my grandmother sitting in a smoking room.
Where the fish is cleaned up, split into wooden racks and slowly solidifiedsmoking.
At that time, we had only about 50 people and only five or six houses.
Today, the band has more than 250 members.
The small seaside reserve is surrounded by development.
Houses and boats unfold on the coast, major roads, bridges and commercial borders near the community.
"When you are young, you take care of each other;
"Everyone has their own role," Bristol said . ".
"People are not familiar with it when you grow so fast.
So there was a short disconnect.
It took several years for everyone to get in touch with each other, but that's what happened.
"T'Sou-there are 440 photovoltaic solar panels on it.
Looks like there's space-
Next to midden, an ancient seaside shell, on a traditional canoe bomb shelter.
These panels power several administrative buildings in the community and eight houses.
The rest is back in the grid.
On sunny days, excess power can be as high as 90 of the electricity generated.
Sell the electricity back to B's profitC.
In the dark months of the year, water and electricity offset any electricity bill.
"What we call the Internet --zero program. Basically, B. C.
Hydro is like a huge battery for us and the extra power is used elsewhere in the province, "said Andrew Moore, a former architect from London.
The first country to work in communications, but eventually entered the core group for planning solar projects.
He estimates that the exchange will save $1,000 a year on electricity bills. In 2009, T’Sou-
Ke begins to become the biggest solar tour
In B. production communityC.
$400,000 grant from B clean energy fundC.
This was the initial boost, followed by an additional $500,000 in funding from various government sources.
In addition to solar panels, solar hot water heating systems have been installed in more than 40 homes.
The community has started conservation and education programs and is then open to visitors.
In 2013 alone, 32 schools visited solar projects.
Students commit to the environment on the leaves posted by the band --hall wall.
There's an electric one.
The car charging station outside the main office and Moore charging his electric bike at another charging station in the back.
"The only way we know about power outages in the area is when people from towns arrive at the front door with computers and phones, they are charged," Moore said . ".
These solar projects
Official solar-
The city name of the Solar City project in Canada, making it the first designated Aboriginal solar community and the third designated city in Canada.
At a ceremony on September, Solar City executive director Bob Hogan showed the chief aircraft the brass day dial forged on solar energy
Power foundry in Nova Scotia. “T’Sou-
Ke is very interesting because they often produce more energy than they use, and they have solar energy in so many homes ,"
Victoria's profit organization
"Globally, it shows what many cities can do with solar and other clean energy.
The impact on indigenous communities in remote areas or in the North is enormous.
The provincial government pointed out that in T'Sou-
Ke's solar project and invited it to join a mentoring program in a remote and First Nation community in 2010 and 2011. “The T’Sou-
Ke First Nation was selected as a mentor community as they have extensive experience in developing and implementing energy efficiency plans
Including youth activities around energy efficiency, "said Matt Gordon, spokesman for the Ministry of Energy and mining.
"Peers have the ability to share lessons in a more candid and open way.
The community that received guidance said that this peer guidance saved them money and time and helped to improve the quality of the project.
T'Sou-next big energy project
Ke moves from the sun to the wind.
On last October, they announced a partnership with TimberWest Forest.
Canada will develop large-
Scale wind project. The $750-
Millions of projects can generate electricity for up to 30,000 families
It means a lot to the two islands.
Its electricity comes from the mainland. T’Sou-
Ke will provide some traditional land to accommodate these projects and have partial ownership.
The turbines will stay away from any residential area.
T'Sou-last February-
Ke is one of the five Coastal Salish countries that signed an incremental treaty agreement with the province.
This includes the return of 120 hectares of official land in the Juan de Fuka constituency, providing private companies in the first country with their own land and development opportunities, in compliance with government laws and regulations.
For major aircraft, these different energy projects are both commercial and traditional.
Power is power.
"Controlling your own power through elements such as the sun and wind puts you in a very strong position in society," the plane said . ".
"We have developed a strategy that will not only enable the executive bodies of all our countries to take power, but we will also be able to support other First Nations and municipalities in the same direction. ” Four-year-
Old Tessa rutier carefully hangs a water mouth on a potted Golden marig flower, while her grandmother, Dennis rutier, walks on a plant bed trimmed to dry parts.
The toddler knows her way clearly in the greenhouse.
"She was collecting seeds at school the other day," her grandmother said . ". The T’Sou-
In 2008, the First Nation's Madame gardens and greenhouses began to harvest fresh produce and herbs for the community, while also being a means of protecting native plants and how to find them.
"I remember my aunt would send us out to find something like mint or net hemp and make tea for us," said Christine George . ".
She started the garden with a $70,000 Aboriginal health grant from Vancouver Island Health Bureau --
Now it's called Island health.
"Now, we're taking young people on a hiking trip looking for things like carmas, tricky onions, Rose fruit, and chocolate lily," she said . ".
The most recent hike was the cob oven found in Sooke Potholes.
Community Gardeneryoung and old —
Collect all your own seeds and explore the secret locations of Labrador tea and cotton grass etc.
Seasonal workshops include the production of essential oils and festive wreaths of local holly trees.
"We also make brochures for kids to identify and name plants in Sencoten and practice the language," said band secretary George.
"I came to the greenhouse as much as possible during my lunch break.
This is where my passion lies.
"The garden produces food and herbs and goes to the community for lunch and dinner every week --on-
Wheel projects and markets
There are seven of them.
Last fall, ribbons were placed at the Saanich show.
As a seaside community, there is a huge gap between the loss of shellfish and salmon in maintaining traditional food practices.
There was a problem with the outfall, and Moore said that Suk had no money to transfer the drainage system out of the river and basin. He said T’Sou-
Ke is considering making his own treatment device.
The surrounding streets can use the protected area to reduce the penetration of old septic tanks entering the port of Suk.
They also signed a joint project with Canadian-Chinese indigenous development enterprises to study the feasibility of raising oysters and sea cucumbers on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Food is a new and ambitious source of income for the band.
Generate project.
The company plans to produce wasabi for Vancouver's Pacific Coast Wasabi.
The company already has a greenhouse project in nanose Bay. T’Sou-
Ke recently received $175,000 from Nuuchah-
Economic Development Company
The project will include the construction of three large greenhouses.
Probably next to the lady's garden.
The goal is to produce half an acre of mustard each year.
For many years-
Round, harvest every 12 to 15 months.
The project followed closely and had to give up another project.
Last year, T'Sou-
$1 million from the provincial government for energy development
Greenhouse energy saving technology.
A feasibility study shows that they plan to grow tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in a four-acre greenhouse and will not even compete with products from California and Mexico.
"While it was disappointing to return the money back, we found that we had a more sustainable product in wasabi, a cash crop that thrive in the climate on our West Coast, there is no artificial heating or lighting that attracts high prices in the international market, "Moore said.
Demand for anemones is very high around the world.
After the 2011 magnitude earthquake and reactor leaks, concerns about radiation levels in Japanese soil have damaged the market. The nasal-
What is offered in the restaurant to clean up sushi is usually a cheaper sunflower sauce dyed green.
But pure mustard 70 also for $100 1 kg processing and Islander maybe soon can now local farmers market engineering whether success.
There is also an anti-drug exploration of this plant.
Microorganisms and resistance
The effects of inflammation have made progress in the fields of science and public health.
Dr. TV celebrity
Oz is a huge fan of wasabi.
"This will not only bring in income;
This will create new jobs . "
Employment has proved to be one of the best by-products of First Nation Enterprises.
Just ask Larry andwood.
He worked as a mill worker for 17 years.
Weekend from Gibson and Port Alberni ke with his family
Including five children.
When the solar project started, he found himself given the opportunity to work closer to home and gain expertise in different areas.
Now, the band members are a certified installer and part of the greenhouse project.
"The opportunities for work and training are great.
"I commute back and forth and want to know what I'm going to do," he said . ".
"But it's amazing to leave work for a minute and be part of this big project.
This is the biggest thing we have in reserve.
New technologies and revenue at the same time
The foundation of the community program is the cultural heritage, and the generation of projects will contribute to the prosperity of future generations.
Elders and spiritual leader Shirley alfones led a ceremony for T'Sou
Children and Youth.
They got a cedar branch that sneaked into the sea with blessings to the ocean and everyone around the world.
"They know the routine now.
This is natural.
"People respect our teachings and it connects us with the rest of the world," Alphonse said . " He shared the exercise with tourists and children from other communities.
Both Alphonse and Bristol are committed to protecting cultural knowledge, but see it as something that should be acquired and integrated in daily life.
Alphonse's guidance on cultural traditions begins with working with young people in lady gardens and art projects (such as baskets --
In the vague ritual of traditional territory, spiritual service is even provided to the community.
"Years ago, I took part in an activity for the survivors of a boarding school and realized the power of the recovery circle," she said . ".
This made her a unique therapist.
A few years ago, she offered a traditional blessing, but also acted as a liaison with the Catholic Church at the request of Bishop Victoria.
Being able to care and help alleviate the pain of others is a gift, she said.
Bristol helps lead the T'Sou-
Ke arts group holds weekly handmade nights and special workshops for weaving, engraving, drumsMake and more.
She also organized the annual Ista Ya Conenet event, an amazing competition where participants carried out treasure hunting activities in the Sauk area with clues to promote cultural knowledge.
"We share and provide these things, but don't impose them," Bristol said . ".
"We sincerely welcome them when they come to us.
Know more on t 'sou of information
Ke, please visit tsoukenation.
You can also attend an informative movie night on renewable energy
With Andrew Moore in January. 8 at 7 p. m.
Edward Milne Community School in suke.