CIER and The LEAP Group’s Deep Retrofit Accelerator for Indigenous Communities program (DRAI) is moving forward as Energy InSites. The new program name better represents the program’s impacts for participating communities – insight into energy usage, energy “in sight” for communities, and supplying energy in sites for those who greatly benefit.

The Energy InSites program will continue to offer the same support as before to Indigenous communities by finding and securing funding to modernize community buildings. The program team conducts energy assessments on community buildings to understand the community’s energy consumption and emission profile, identifies retrofit opportunities, and assists in the funding identification and application process.

These modernizations will further promote independence and self-sustaining ways of life in Indigenous communities. In addition, these updates will provide long-term energy stability within these communities.

Approved communities receive a range of community engagement, capacity building, and educational and technical support services related to commercial, institutional, industrial, and multi-unit residential buildings. Services provided under the Energy InSites program are delivered at no cost to participating communities.

To date, three communities have officially entered the Energy InSites program – Tsuut’ina Nation and Siksika Nation in Alberta, and Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba.

Between the three communities, the program team has completed nearly 50 energy assessments. Informed by these energy assessments, the team has identified funding sources and supported funding applications to complete building upgrades such as…
• Geothermal heat pumps
• Building envelope (windows and doors)
• LED lighting and occupancy sensors
• Building automation
• Mechanical systems
• Energy generation via solar photovoltaics

Additionally, the Energy InSites team has formed a Strategic Advisory Committee, comprising external CIER associates with extensive and diverse experience executing high-impact and purposeful projects with Indigenous partners throughout the program’s region. The Strategic Advisory Committee provides valuable guidance on all aspects of program execution.

Long-term strategizing and action such as this will propel independent communities, able to continue growing their economies and success from within.

Keep an eye on CIER’s social media for upcoming Energy InSites announcements. In the coming weeks, we expect to formally announce several other Indigenous communities to the program and publish energy literacy material intended to build capacity related to energy consumption and energy conservation opportunities in a residential context.

CIER will be hosting an online Learning Circle on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 12:00 -1:00 PM CST. CIER’s Learning Circles are an opportunity for Indigenous Nations and their close partners to share learnings from their energy- and emissions-related work. In this session, CIER will present an Energy InSites program overview. You can register via Zoom by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the meeting.

The Energy InSites program is currently accepting applications from communities interested in participating in the program. Interested communities are encouraged to complete this Jotform application form or contact [email protected].