Kivalliq Alternative Energy
Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake, Nunavut
Published July 25, 2024
Overview
Dana May and Ruben den Uyl from Northern Energy Capital travelled to Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake from July 17th to 23rd on behalf of Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE). Along with Blaine Chislett, SIC's Manager of Energy & Sustainability, and SIC summer student Lukisha Tatty, the team engaged with community members and stakeholders regarding KAE's proposed wind energy projects in both communities.
Rankin Inlet (July 17-20)
Community Town Hall (July 18): KAE hosted a Town Hall to present the wind energy project and answer questions from community members. While attendance was impacted by the summer season, the team had an engaging question-and-answer period with the ~20 people who came out to hear about the project. Questions centred around the wind turbine technology, the project structure, and potential impacts on the community (both critical and positive).
Meetings with Key Stakeholders (July 19):
Rankin Inlet Steering Committee: Productive meeting to discuss project progress, updates, and development of the Energy 101 course. This course will be co-developed by the community in collaboration with Yukon University to increase energy literacy and skill-building for residents interested in entering the energy sector.
Nunavut's Deputy Minister of Environment, Yvonne Niego: Discussed project progress and how the Government of Nunavut can help support KAE's renewable energy initiatives. Our team talked about the importance of getting community stakeholders across Kivalliq together to collaboratively work barriers, such as perception of renewables, energy policy and pricing policy.
Community Connections:
Visited Pilagie at the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre to learn about their programs and explore potential collaborations for capacity-building activities with Elders and Youth.
Connected with the Kivalliq Inuit Association's community liaison and other local organizations to share information about KAE's call for artists for the Ikayuut Cultural Legacy Project in Naujaat.
The team tried to connect with the Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO), but everyone was out on the land for summer hunting and fishing activities.
Exploring Rankin Inlet (July 20): Before departing for Baker Lake, Dana and Ruben spent the day exploring Rankin Inlet with Blaine as their local guide. The team visited the Territorial Park, saw a traditional sod house, and checked out the local lakes and ice rink that doubles as a soccer pitch in the summertime.
Kivalliq Alternative Energy team members host a town hall in Rankin Inlet to answer questions and gather feedback on the proposed wind energy project on July 18, followed by a few days of stakeholder meetings, community connections, and site-seeing. PHOTO: Ruben den Uyl
Baker Lake (July 20-23)
Community Connections (July 21): Visited local businesses such as the hotel, co-op, and construction companies to inform them about the project and gather feedback on what services they could offer. Connected with local artists and organizations to share information about KAE's call for artists for the Ikayuut Cultural Legacy Project in Naujaat.
Exploring Baker Lake (July 21): Visited the current project site to check on KAE's wildlife monitoring stations set up by EDI. The site was relatively accessible, about a 300m walk from the road. Afterwards, the team did a bit of sightseeing around Baker Lake and drove up to the Geographical Centre of Canada.
Meetings with Key Stakeholders (July 22):
Hamlet of Baker Lake's Senior Administrative Officer (SAO), Sheldon Dory: Discussed project progress and the development of the Energy 101 course in collaboration with Yukon University to increase energy literacy and skill-building for residents interested in entering the energy sector. KAE is looking to identify an Energy Learning Champion in Baker Lake who will take on the role of co-developer on behalf of the community.
Community Lands and Resources Committee (CLARC): Productive meeting with Baker Lake's CLARC to discuss the proposed wind energy project and potential impacts and opportunities from a traditional land use perspective.
Hunters and Trappers Association (HTO): Met with Baker Lake's HTO to present the wind energy project and its proposed locations. The team gathered feedback on the potential impacts the project could have on traditional land use and harvesting practices.
Baker Lake Youth Council: Connected with the Youth Council, which, under the guidance of Rachel Tagoona, represents the voice of the youth in the community. Presented the project and discussed their perspectives on clean energy, their concerns about the project, and ideas for the future. The team was delighted to hear the Youth Council's voices in this discussion, as this project will have an impact on multiple generations to come. Questions centred on potential learning opportunities for youth, how they could contribute to the project and pursue a career in clean energy.
Community Town Hall (July 22): KAE hosted a Town Hall to present the wind energy project and answer questions from community members. While attendance was impacted by the summer season, there were about 25-50 people who dropped by on a rolling basis. Most notable was the Youth Council, who came in large numbers and engaged with questions and comments. Questions centred around the wind turbine technology, the project structure, and potential impacts on the community (both critical and positive).
Kivalliq Alternative Energy team members host a town hall in Baker Lake to answer questions and gather feedback on the proposed wind energy project on July 22, after a few days of stakeholder meetings, community connections, and site-seeing. PHOTO: Ruben den Uyl
Key Takeaways
Strong engagement with community members and stakeholders in both Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake.
Valuable feedback and insights gathered to inform project development.
Identified potential collaboration opportunities with local organizations.
Next steps include continuing to build relationships, address concerns, and advance the projects in partnership with the communities.
This trip reinforced the importance of ongoing community engagement and collaboration as we work to bring renewable energy-generating projects to the Kivalliq region.
About Kivalliq Alternative Energy
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is a leader in the clean energy transition in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. By developing renewable energy-generating projects, KAE is increasing energy independence for the remote communities it represents. KAE's projects nurture community benefits, grow local capacity and lay the foundations for powering the region's clean energy future. KAE is an Inuit-led partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) and Northern Energy Capital (NEC).
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