LOGO & EXPLANATION BY ARTIST MARK GAUTI

The T’Sou-ke Smart Energy Group (T’SEG) has been created with the purpose of educating the T’Sou-ke community about the importance of low impact sustainable energy, through the use of culture, traditional values and historical means of communication.

The T’SEG will raise awareness on subjects such as energy saving initiatives, protecting the environment, saving money by energy reduction, and damages caused by excessive energy consumption. T’SEG plans to raise awareness to the T’Sou-ke community as well as others interested in learning from a First Nations perspective.

This project will be community driven with various educational materials created for different levels of learning and ages, from youth to elders. The educational materials will be designed by T’Sou-ke Nation members.

The members of T’SEG include Taisy Lloyd, Angie Bristol, Tyler Finnie and Mark Gauti; with support from T’Sou-ke Nation communications department, First Power, and the Ministry of the Environment.

The connection of Coast Salish culture to environmental education to T’Sou-ke Nation will be accomplished through several steps. These steps will include research and educational material design as well as running different awareness programs. These steps will lead to a traditional community event, focusing on Coast Salish traditions by incorporating storytelling with an environmental theme.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Join the T’Sou-ke Smart Energy Group

We are located in the Fisheries office; feel free to come visit us!
Phone: 250-642-3957
Fax: 250-642-7808
Email: tsoukesmartenergygroup@gmail.com
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Facebook: Search “T’Sou-ke Smart Energy Group” or send us an email for the link!

Are you interested in becoming involved with T’SEG? Please contact us! We will be accepting volunteers for our work and do have room in our budget to hire on a honourarium basis in the future.

It’s a good day for a celebration. Sunshine sparkles on the water of the Sooke Basin, the sky is clear and a fresh wind makes the heat bearable.

Outside the T’Sou-ke Nation band hall, tables are set up for a BBQ salmon lunch. Kids run around, blowing soap bubbles and women set up craft tables in the shade…

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Further to a front page Sooke News Mirror story from June 10, a two-day forum on solar energy was kicked off Friday morning in the Edward Milne Community School Theatre.

Last month’s news story focused on the completed installation of hundreds of solar panels on T’Sou-ke First Nation property. The T’Sou-ke Nation leads the way in the province in terms of the size of their facility, which required about $650,000 along with the expertise of a good number of personnel…

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A native community on Vancouver Island has become the largest solar energy producing community in B.C.

The T’Sou-ke First Nation has unveiled its solar power project that will see solar energy power the band office, fisheries building, canoe shed and 25 homes on the reserve. Nine band members have also been certified as solar panel installers…

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Minister George Abbott learns from UVic co-op student Jessica Bekker how clean energy is benefiting T’Sou-ke Nation during the T’Sou-ke Solar Gathering.

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T’Sou-ke Nation is winding up a successful Innovative Clean Energy Fund project by hosting about 50 First Nations from across B.C. for two days of information-sharing and celebration, Iain Black, Small Business, Technology and Economic Development Minister, said today…

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Click thumbnail for Solar Gathering 2009 Brochure

Solar Gathering 2009 Brochure (.pdf)

We are pleased to inform you of our upcoming Solar Forum to be held July 17th and18th 2009, at T’Sou-ke Reserve 1 and Edward Milne Community School – just opposite on Sooke Road.

The Forum and Gathering will launch The T’Sou-ke Solar Community – a project conceived, implemented and managed by T’Sou-ke Nation for T’Sou-ke Nation and other communities in BC concerned with sustainable living. Friday, July 17th will be a formal event for First Nations, Municipalities, and Institutions e.g. schools and universities, with presentations and workshops at the school and tours around the installation on Reserve 1.

Click here to download the Gathering Themes

Friday morning will be dedicated to speakers and presenters, followed by a catered lunch at Edward Milne Community School. In the afternoon there will be a series of workshops, focusing on Solar Power and conservation. Product and service booths will be set up throughout the day showcasing renewable energy products and solutions. Saturday, July 18th will be a Solar Celebration for T’Sou-ke Community, local First Nations and residents of Sooke District to be held at Reserve 1 location.

Click here to download Friday, July 17th schedule

Saturday the emphasis will be on celebration, with drumming, singing, canoe tours and artist booths set up at Reserve 1. Individual tours will be conducted throughout the day, along with one on one time spent with any First Nations band who is interested in learning about renewable energy options for their own community. The evening will end with a barbeque feast.

Click here to download Saturday, July 18th schedule

T’Sou-ke Energy Forum Power Point

Join the T’Sou-ke Solar Forum Group

J. Scott
Event Manager
Cell: 250-884-0784 T’Sou-ke Nation
2154 Lazzar Rd.
PO Box 307
Sooke, BC
V9Z 1G1
Tel: 250-642-3957
jscott@tsoukenation.com

View our Solar Community project in Action