b'PROJECT PROFILEA celebration ceremony for Giizis Energy with (from left) AJ Esquega, Former AFN Chief Perry Bellegarde, KZA Chief Wilfred N. King, AFN Chief RoseAnne Archibald and Councillor Kevin W. KingThe fully integrated solar microgridtheother Indigenous groups in Canada to first in Canadais comprised of overdevelop their own green energy proj-1,000 solar photovoltaic power panels,ects. I think this should be a model for a battery storage unit and a microgridthe future. controller connected to the communitys diesel generator. On sunny days when theIts a model that has been extremely advan-batteries reach over 50 per cent capacity,tageous to the First Nation. When struc-the community is able to run completelyturing the solar deal with Ontario Power on solar energy. On days when the weatherGeneration (OPG), King told the utility is inclement, or the batteries run low, itgroup that Gull Bay had to own 100 per switches back to diesel. If the provincecent of the operation, outlining in detail experiences power outages, the commu- how the community had benefited little nity remains fully operational.from past energy development projects. OPG, a CCAB Progressive Aboriginal Its rewarding personally, its rewarding toRelations (PAR)-certified Gold member, our community, and its rewarding to allagreed. As a result, Gull Bay is the sole Indigenous people across North Americaowner of the project.and throughout the world, says Gull Bay First Nation Chief Wilfred King, who hopesIn the past, energy developments involving his communitys achievement can inspireFirst Nations were often structured in a Always in Our HeartsSupport Reconciliation in Indigenous Communities with the Meeting Scout Contact us at: 519-445-1794 or tapresources@tapresources.caSite Selection Program www.tapresources.caReach out to us to learn more about thisCOMPLIMENTARY Service.Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT53'