Providing a vehicle of support on the road to energy independence for the seven generations of the Skeetchestn First Nation

• Main Author: Haley, Brigit O. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: First Nations; energy independence; residential energy use; net-zero energy; Affordable housing
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/57986

The Skeetchestn First Nation has resided in their traditional, unceded territory since time immemorial. Despite pressures to assimilate, the on-reserve community has experienced a recent resurgence. The intention of this paper was to initiate the community energy planning process and to compare the energy consumption of a conventional on-reserve house to the traditional style Round House. An Energy Awareness questionnaire was circulated through the community to determine the importance of energy related issues; highlighting energy independence, residential energy use and climate change. The questionnaire results were used to facilitate an open-dialogue to draft the energy objectives during the community energy planning breakfast. Both events were well received with 35% response rate and 31% participation rate, respectively. Two home energy audits were performed to satisfy the HOT2000 analysis in comparing the energy consumption of the two houses. Base case and upgrade models were simulated; the former indicated the conventional on-reserve house consumed 83% more energy than the traditional style Round House. The latter indicated the conventional on-reserve house consumed 59% more energy than the Round House. Overall, the findings support the salience of the housing crisis in First Nation communities and validate the dire need for affordable, safe and culturally appropriate housing. More specifically the findings indicate that the Round House should be considered as the primary option for future residential development. Applied Science, Faculty of Unreviewed Graduate