Upgrades coming to community grocery store and six family homes in Athabasca Chipewyan

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation will be tapping into the Indigenous Energy Efficiency (Retrofit) Program for a $636,460 grant to upgrade the community’s grocery store and six family homes.

The program is intended for Indigenous communities tackling climate change. The upgrades will make running the store and houses more affordable while reducing greenhouse gases.

The store will receive LED lighting, better insulation and a high-efficiency refrigeration system. The new homes will have spray foam insulation, high-quality windows and doors, programmable thermostats, low-flow plumbing and Energy Star appliances. This upgrade will save the community up to an average of 25 per cent in electricity and heating costs per year.

Chief Allen Adam said the money savings will be reflected in families being able to eat healthy for less, “which hasn’t always been possible in our remote community.”

“Our government is proud to support this project and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s rich history of environmental leadership,” said Richard Feehan, minister of Indigenous Relations.