Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq recognize that quality, affordable energy is important to our communities. We also recognize that we need to balance resource development and energy production with protecting our forests, water, wildlife, health and sustainability.
The Mi’kmaw Nation practices Netukulimk – the customary principle that governs the relationship between the Mi’kmaq and the land and resources around us. It is a principle that governs the use, protection and stewardship of land and resources, provided by the Creator, for the sustenance and well-being of the Mi’kmaq. The underlying principle of Netukulimk is the provision of community and individual needs as well as economic security, without jeopardizing the continued integrity, diversity and productivity of the environment.
Another concept that underlies our perspective on energy management and development is Kweso’tmu’kw – which simply means ‘we are carefully looking after it.’ This concept prompts respectful, careful and proper use of all resources with energy sources, and particularly renewable energy sources.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs is seeking to lead and collaborate on energy initiatives that honor the concepts of Netukulimk and Kweso’tmu’kw.
Energy Efficiency
We are proud to be working Nation-to-Nation to create positive changes on how energy is used in our Mi’kmaw homes. Through the Mi’kmaq Home Energy Efficiency project, our communities will see all on-reserve, band-owned homes qualify for upgrades like new insulation, heat pumps and draft-proofing. This project will lower heating and power bills, cut greenhouse gas emissions and create green jobs in Mi’kmaw communities.
This project was based on the 2018 pilot collaboration between the Assembly, Department of Energy and Mines, and Efficiency Nova Scotia which saw 100 households on all 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities receive efficiency upgrades. These retrofits are now saving each household an average of $900 per year on their energy bills.
There are 2,400 band-owned homes in the 13 Mi’kmaq communities across Nova Scotia. The goal is providing 80% of these homes with upgrades, with a target to complete 900 of these homes in the first four years. We are proud to say that this is the most comprehensive project of its kind in the country.
Energy Efficiency in Mi’kmaw Community Buildings
The objective of this project is to provide the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities with energy use information and deep energy retrofit feasibility plans to help reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in community buildings. The Assembly is working with the Clean Foundation and Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) to deliver this project.
The first phase of this project will be to assess energy-use for Mi’kmaw community buildings. With permission from each Band, we will look at energy-use data from Mi’kmaw community buildings to help identify the buildings with the highest energy saving potential and the ENS services and rebates that may apply.
Once the assessment of energy-use data is complete , we will meet with Band Managers and/or community leaders to discuss project findings and coordinate professional energy assessments of the chosen community buildings. The scale and cost of this work will depend on the energy-use of the building.
As soon as assessments and retrofit recommendations are complete, each community will be responsible for taking next steps to install the proposed retrofits. ENS has a variety of rebates available for every level of energy efficient project.