Kluane First Nation Launches Pivotal Wind Project
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THE BULLFROG IN THIS ISSUE Feature: What is a Bullfrogger? | p.3 Bullfrog chats with WWF-Canada President Megan Leslie | p.9 Green recipes: Quinoa-stuffed Tomatoes and Blissful Chocolate Coconut Bites | p.15 SUMMER 2018 KLUANE FIRST NATION LAUNCHES PIVOTAL WIND PROJECT This summer, Bullfrog Power helped celebrate the ground breaking of an exciting new wind project with the Kluane First Nation in the Yukon Territory. The wind project will enable the Kluane First Nation to reduce its impact on the land, improve the health of its inhabitants and help take action on climate change. Those attending the ground-breaking ceremony included Colin Asselstine, General Manager of Kluane Community Development Corp. (above, left) and Bullfrog’s Dave Borins (above, right). The festivities also featured an inspiring performance by Fancy Shawl dancer Marissa Mills (top). Thanks to your support, Bullfrog has been a longstanding supporter of the project—read more on p.4. Background photo: Sheep Creek Trail in Kluane National Park Rebuilding a community As small as we are, we’re one of the largest Indigenous communities on the West Coast. Like many First Nations groups in Canada, we’re still recovering from the long-term effects of the Sixties Scoop and the residential school era in Canada. In the late 1970s and 80s, our community was in a situation where for the first time in generations, our children were being raised in Bella Bella without the threat of removal. At the same time, we were reasserting our independence by beginning to manage a number of services in the community. We were trying to bring the strength of our governance back into our own hands. Our issue was that we were missing generations of knowledge, as well as a cohesive sense of community. As a result, and at the direction of our Chiefs and Elders, what we now know as Qqs emerged in 1999 as a solution to that issue. Nurturing a new generation Our concern was that kids in the community were disconnected from their territory—because five generations were impacted by residential schools and our culture was repressed by the Potlatch Ban, which made practicing ceremony illegal. These kids lacked the understanding of how our land sustains them. Qqs created a space and programs to teach Heiltsuk youth about their culture and history. Every summer, around 50 children attend the Koeye River Youth Camp where they learn about traditional Heiltsuk practices, ceremonies and stories, as well as the science of the nature that surrounds them. The camp is also home to scientists and stewardship technicians who are researching and monitoring the territory’s wildlife— JESS HOUSTY and sharing their knowledge with the youth. Communications Director With Bullfrog’s support—that we’re excited about Qqs Projects Society, Bella Bella, B.C. and grateful for—we’re building the solar capacity to help power our Koeye facilities without impacting our land. The entire facility is going to be powered by the sun seasonally. As a long term goal, we’d like the Jess Housty is a citizen of Heiltsuk Nation, building to be powered by solar energy all year round. a First Nations community of more than Looking to the future 1,500 people in the community of Bella Bella on Campbell Island, B.C. Jess works As a nonprofit, we have the opportunity to be creative about finding solutions to our challenges. Our successful solutions as a Communications Director with Qqs can inspire change in how people in the Heiltsuk community (pronounced “kucks”) Projects Society. view and think of themselves. We’re beginning to see some of our piloted initiatives Qqs is a nonprofit organization on Bella Bella adopted throughout the community. We’re also learning that is empowering and educating Heiltsuk about renewable energy projects from nearby communities such as Haida Gwaii—and we’re excited to be a part of the Nation youth by reconnecting them with shift toward renewables. their culture and land. With support from Our children see what we show them. We have a responsibility Bullfrog customers, Qqs is installing a 7.3 to show them the powerful, beautiful and challenging parts of life, as well as the strength that comes from their cultural kW solar project at its Koeye (pronounced identity and the land that surrounds them. “kway”) River Camp, which hosts 50 children every summer. > kfn.ca 2 | THE BULLFROG BUZZ What is a Bullfrogger? ere at Bullfrog, we love to hear from our customers. Many of the emails that Hcome in are about lawn signs getting “chewed up” by lawn mowers, dogs…or a kid (happened once). We will get your typical questions about billing and account changes. But every once in a while we get an email like this: This should be bad news—we’ve just lost a customer. But, at Bullfrog, this news inspires us because it reminds us of why we’re here. We’re here because of our community—made up of the most innovative, forward- thinking and caring Canadians. People who want to protect our environment and who share our vision for a clean, healthy Canada that runs on 100% renewable energy. We talk a lot about this community but who are we? Who are the 10,000 residential customers, 1,500 businesses, 140 community projects and 55 source projects across Canada? It’s business owners like Adam Pesce from Reunion Island Coffee who has made it his personal mission to deliver the best sustainably sourced coffee in Toronto while having the smallest impact on the earth Gamechangers like Janice Ashworth who is leveraging the power of community co-ops to increase the amount of renewables in her region while generating wealth for her community Leaders like Chief Patrick Michell, Ric Richardson and Jess Housty who see opportunity in the transition to renewables for Indigenous Peoples—such as skills training, land preservation and independence Homeowners like Erin Young, who runs a small business, has three young kids— and still takes the time to always make the sustainable choice Wind energy experts like Aaron Long, who was instrumental in bringing the Ellershouse Wind Farm in Nova Scotia online—which now supplies Bullfrog customers These are just a few members of the bullfrogpowered community—we’ve created this section to show you a broader snapshot. YOU are an important part of Bullfrog Power. Every day, you and Bullfrogs across the country are united in your vision for a better Canada—and your conviction to make it happen. Thank you for being a champion for green energy. We know it’s not always easy—but as they say—no road is as long when you’re in good company. The Bullfrog Team THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 3 We are thankful for Bullfrog’s support for the Kluane N’tsi Wind Energy Projectfrom their initial involvement back in 2013 to the additional funding we received this year. Kate Van Ballegooyen Environment Ocer Kluane First Nation Community project Bullfrog supports (read more on page 6!) By choosing Bullfrog Power’s green energy for our tours, we’re reducing our impact Becoming bullfrogpowered was We have the potential to swiftly and getting the word out about taking a choice that we made in order transition to renewable power and action on climate change. to do our part for the planet become a case study for the rest of and our local community. Together with the Autism Society, and Canada. We could not have completed Sam Roberts Band Evelyn Schmitz-Hertzberg thanks to the support of Bullfrog this project without bullfrogpowered A bullfrogpowered band Power customers, we’ll be generating Bullfrog Power customer customers and we are so thankful for clean energy and growing fresh, local their support. produce right here in St. John’s. Valine Crist Bear Mountain Wind Park Delia Warren Executive Director Bear Mountain, B.C. East Coast Director Swiilawiid Sustainability Society We must all do whatever possible Iron & Earth East Community project Bullfrog supports Bullfrog Power to reduce carbon emissionsand Community project Bullfrog (read more on page 7!) green energy source I mean yesterday! Support supports (read more on page 6!) renewable energy in any way you can through organizations like Bullfrog Power. We pride ourselves on being a Mike Brigham positive force in our community. Bullfrog Power customer (and President of Solarshare) Through green energy, not only are we reducing our environmental footprint in our own province, but we’re also supporting renewable energy projects such as the Ellershouse Wind Farm right here in Nova Scotia. Ken Shea CEO and President East Coast Credit Union I chose to sign on because I want A bullfrogpowered company to take personal responsibility for the impact I’m having on the We already It has been our continued belief planetboth at home and in source that we should make as little Bullfrogpowering our my career. premium, impact on the environment as facilities is a proven way for all-natural Kristina Groves possible. Choosing green electricity us to reduce the carbon ingredients Bullfrog Power customer for our home is a meaningful way footprint of all our facilities for our beer, Sustainability leadership is across Canada, and help but we also for us to do our part. about championing preserve the beautiful wanted to Michelle Oliveira long-term, global country we love. reduce the footprint we leave on Bullfrog Power customer objectives over short-term gains. With Bullfrog Power, David Labistour this earth by choosing the cleanest energy available. we’re demonstrating that CEO Unilever is committed to Cam Heaps MEC investing in and achieving our long-term Co-Founder A bullfrogpowered company Steam Whistle Brewing sustainability goals.