{"id":256794,"date":"2024-12-02T10:02:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/questcanada.org\/?post_type=project&p=256794"},"modified":"2025-11-18T11:06:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T16:06:09","slug":"st-theresa-point-anisininew-nation-toward-sustainability-for-so-many-reasons","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/questcanada.org\/fr\/project\/st-theresa-point-anisininew-nation-toward-sustainability-for-so-many-reasons\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation, Manitoba \u2013 Toward sustainability, for so many reasons"},"content":{"rendered":"

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St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation, Manitoba \u2013 Toward sustainability, for so many reasons<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”620px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”620px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PbyC.png” alt=”Powered by Communities Logo” title_text=”PbyC” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Author Image” module_class=”circular” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ max_width=”20%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-65px|||” border_radii=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_color_all=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_post_title title=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Author Meta” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ meta_font=”|600||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#00a9a6″ meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”10px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Author Meta” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ meta_font=”|600||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#00a9a6″ meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”10px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Date Meta” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ meta_font=”|||on|||||” meta_text_color=”#333333″ meta_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”400.4px” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”15px” width=”70%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”78px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|3px|36px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

For many communities, sustainability and resilience are mid-level priorities, competing with development, recreation or infrastructure for political attention and funding. For St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation<\/strong><\/a>, they\u2019re far more serious and urgent issues.<\/p>\n

St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation is an isolated Manitoba community located 600 kilometers north of Winnipeg. It\u2019s accessible only by air, except for two months each winter when fuel and other vital supplies can be delivered via seasonal ice roads.<\/p>\n

But more importantly, St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation is reliant upon a single long-distance power line for all of its electricity. That means the entire community goes dark when the line fails.<\/p>\n

\u201cPower failures are pretty common around here,\u201d says Waylon Mason<\/strong>, St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation\u2019s Assistant Director of Waste Management and Recycling. He recalls a multi-day outage a few years ago just after hunting season that resulted in many households losing their winter supply of meat. \u201cEven our airport had to close; its runway lights were out.\u201d<\/p>\n

That outage in particular sensitized the community to its vulnerability. Combined with other realities like high power rates and inefficient housing, it helped spark conversations about resilience, efficiency and sustainability.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur cost of living is already about double what it is elsewhere, and that\u2019s bound to increase even more as climate change shortens ice road season,\u201d says Mason. \u201cSo, we knew we had to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n

But where to begin? Mason confesses he had much to learn when he came back to St. Theresa Point in 2022 to start his new role.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, he found the resources and support he needed in CIER<\/strong><\/a>, the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, a service delivery partner collaborating with QUEST Canada on the Prairies Net-zero Communities Accelerator (NCA) Program.<\/p>\n

CIER is Canada\u2019s first Indigenous-directed non-profit charity dedicated to helping First Nations build capacity and develop sustainability initiatives. Since its inception in 1995, CIER has supported 450 projects in over 300 First Nations across Canada in areas such as food sovereignty, water protection, energy transition and mobilizing Indigenous knowledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our work with First Nations, relationship building is absolutely critical,\u201d says CIER Project Manager Emily Hoppe<\/strong>, acknowledging the need for cultural sensitivity. \u201cFlexible processes that involve listening and sharing tend to be much more successful than simple template approaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s where QUEST has been a key partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cQUEST\u2019s NCA Program put a name to \u2018community emission reduction\u2019\u201d, she shares, \u201cand their PICEC<\/strong><\/a> (Partnering for Indigenous Community Energy Capacity) Program allowed for the flexibility needed by First Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mason agrees. \u201cHere in St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation, our first step was to organize a community event called an Energy Sharing Circle. We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to come and share their concerns, ask questions and learn from others. We wanted to listen, to open the discussion; it\u2019s how we do things.\u201d<\/p>\n

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St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation is located 610 kilometers Northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The community is accessible by plane and boat in the summer and by winter road in the winter. Council consists of one Chief and eight Councillors, elected according to band custom.<\/em><\/h5>\n

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That event was a big success. \u201cIt was refreshing to hear that everyone was on the same page\u201d when it comes to energy and environmental issues, Mason smiles in recollection. \u201cI was surprised about the amount of information out there. People are more knowledgeable; they care more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people knew about possible solutions like solar; many people would like to have their own panels, to build resilience and energy independence. Plus, I was really pleased at how engaged some young people were; maybe they\u2019re seeing their futures in that field.\u201d<\/p>\n

The biggest surprise? Interest in electric vehicles. \u201cEven from some people who drive big diesel pickups!\u201d Mason chuckles. It makes good sense, of course: electricity can be delivered to St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation much more cheaply and efficiently than gas or diesel; and range is hardly an issue on the community\u2019s limited road network. \u201cWe\u2019re talking with Manitoba Hydro about charging stations.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hoped that this first Energy Sharing Circle will bridge smoothly into next steps like energy mapping and the identification of opportunities such as more local renewable energy, potentially with battery backup.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, a few initiatives have already been started.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe promote energy awareness and efficiency on the radio and other media platforms,\u201d says Mason. \u201cThere\u2019s a big need for insulation and air sealing, to help people reduce their energy bills.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s working to get solid waste hauled out of the community by trucks that usually return south empty, so that local dumping can be reduced. It\u2019s an initiative close to his heart: it was first started by his father a decade ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve also employed a few summer students. It\u2019s my hope that we\u2019re shaping a lot of young people through our messages and opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mason is eying a project to build 10 new highly efficient, solar-powered, net-zero small homes in his community. He\u2019s working with three neighbouring First Nations to create a Climate Change Officer position, tasked with informing and educating.<\/p>\n

And his ultimate goal is to integrate Indigenous knowledge back into everything: to help restore historical First Nation principles of intergenerational stewardship and doing no damage. \u201cWe have to take care of our water, land and air.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, funding is an ongoing challenge. \u201cIt\u2019s a long process, and we often hear, \u2018you\u2019re federal\u2019 when we go seeking funding,\u201d Mason reflects. But he\u2019s optimistic that good relationships with both federal and provincial partners will help make good things happen.<\/p>\n

His advice to other communities starting their sustainability journeys? \u201cGet as much information as you can, and find the right people to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunities often find they have similar problems and challenges, so it\u2019s important to reach out, ask and share solutions,\u201d adds CIER\u2019s Hoppe, acknowledging the value of QUEST\u2019s online resources. \u201cWe\u2019re stronger together!\u201d<\/p>\n

Passion helps too. \u201cI jumped into this field without knowing anything about it,\u201d Mason grins. \u201cI never thought I\u2019d be passionate about it, to be honest \u2013 but I love it!\u201d<\/p>\n

He concludes by underlining the importance of respect and relationships: \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of things we want to do up here; it\u2019s just a matter of getting the right people in the right places \u2013 and having good conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||32px|||” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFCC00″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Carl.jpg” title_text=”Carl Duivenvoorden” _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”40%” width_phone=”50%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px|||” custom_margin_phone=”||15px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Carl Duivenvoorden<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|68px||||” custom_padding_tablet=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”] Speaker, writer and sustainability consultant Carl Duivenvoorden helps people and organizations learn how they can save money, energy and our environment. He\u2019s presented to over 450 audiences across Atlantic Canada and in the US, and his column Green Ideas ran for 10 years in New Brunswick dailies. He lives in Upper Kingsclear, NB.<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”63px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Powered-by-Communities-Logo-1-e1677799099873.png” title_text=”Powered by Communities Logo (1)” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” width_tablet=”30%” width_phone=”40%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

About Powered by Communities<\/b><\/h2>\n

Established in 2017, Powered by Communities is an awareness-raising, communications and media platform that highlights and celebrates local community energy initiatives taking place across the country, from coast to coast to coast. The platform inspires, informs and engages its readership with stories and articles detailing community energy initiatives being led by local governments, municipalities, Indigenous communities, community groups, non-profits, charities, and enterprising individuals. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/questcanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Untitled-design-2.png” alt=”QUEST Canada logo” title_text=”Untitled design-2″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” width_tablet=”30%” width_phone=”40%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

About QUEST Canada<\/b><\/h2>\n

QUEST Canada is a registered Canadian charity that supports communities in Canada on their pathway to net-zero. Since 2007, we\u2019ve been facilitating connections, empowering community champions and advising decision-makers to implement energy use and emissions reduction solutions that best meet community needs and maximize local opportunities. We develop tools and resources, convene stakeholders and rights holders, and advise decision-makers \u2014 all with the goal of encouraging, assisting and enabling communities to contribute to Canada\u2019s net-zero goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Support local communities by sharing this story<\/span><\/h2>\n

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