Protecting the environment to secure a strong future

At a time when many Canadians are wondering how climate change will continue to affect the world we live in, Chief David Crate of Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN), his Council and their Elders are doing their part to protect the environment, with the aim of securing a strong future for the community.

Situated along a small section of Lake Winnipeg, and within the Boreal Forest, the community of just over 4,000 people has a particular fondness and appreciation for the world around them. With a long list of eco-friendly development projects already under their belts, they have their sights set on expanding their conservation efforts and expertise in renewable energy technology.

Their collective commitment to the environment runs deep and it can be felt in many ways throughout the community. If you were to drive through the town, just beyond the grocery store and post office, you would see an impressive solar farm that includes 3,000 solar panels and is bigger than five NFL football fields put together.

When asked, Chief Crate easily names this as his favourite eco-friendly project to date, and for good reason: it was historic on many fronts. Built entirely by FRCN members, it’s the first Indigenous-owned, utility-scale solar farm in Canada and the largest solar project in Manitoba. The solar panels, which were made in Canada, produce enough energy to power 350-400 homes per year and injects electricity directly into Manitoba Hydro’s grid.

This project was a huge undertaking and has become an incredible source of pride for the community, but it’s just the tip of the green iceberg for FRCN. Although you wouldn’t necessarily see it if you were driving through the town, geothermal heat is another major area of focus.

“Most homes in Fisher River were wood-burning, which meant we harvested local forests for wood,” said Chief Crate. “We had an opportunity to work with Manitoba Hydro to introduce the community to geothermal heating, so we focused on converting a lot of our heat sources to a more environmentally-friendly source of heat.”

By harnessing the temperature of the ground, which maintains a constant temperature year round, homes can be warmed and cooled efficiently, with less environmental impact. Helping families transition away from wood burning heat has improved energy efficiency and cut electricity costs in half for about 300 homes in the community. Not to mention, it means they are harvesting less trees from the forest.

To cap it off, Fisher River Cree Nation is leading the Fisher River Conservation Areas Initiative, with the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). This work includes a conservation plan for the region and they are currently seeking input from community leaders, neighbours and other stakeholders to determine the best ways to conserve more culturally significant land in the area. FRCN and CPAWS have taken a leadership role in working toward establishing a protected area and they continue to move the mark on this important work.

“We are doing this so our grandchildren’s grandchildren will be able to hunt, fish and hike in the region,” said Chief Crate. “We are asking our neighbours to help us determine the best way to protect the beauty and natural richness of our region.”

The decisions Chief Crate, his Council and the Elders are making today are directly impacting the environment now, and they’ll continue to benefit the community and surrounding area for generations to come. It’s an impressive legacy—one that the Fisher River Cree Nation can take pride in.

Fisher River Cree Nation received $225,000 under Canada’s Nature Legacy, to consult local communities, rights holders, and stakeholders in the region to design an effective, regionally tailored conservation proposal using both traditional and western knowledge. Efforts on this front continue, with the hope of protecting more of the natural landscape so it can continue to provide sustainable economic opportunities and support the FRCN lifestyle and culture.