Beyond sustainability: The power of Indigenous healthy energy homes

Abstract

The Healthy Energy Homes project, a partnership between Indigenous Clean Energy and the Canadian Climate Institute, aims to address the long-standing challenge that many Indigenous people in Canada live in inadequate housing. Poor quality homes are causing severe health impacts in Indigenous communities across Canada—investing in Healthy Energy Homes could help address these impacts, make communities more resilient to climate impacts, and help reduce emissions and health care costs.

This webinar will focus on the project's first report, Beyond Sustainability: The Power of Indigenous Healthy Energy Homes, which outlines the connections between housing, health outcomes, and energy efficiency. The webinar will highlight both the barriers and innovative community-led solutions being led across the country.

A second webinar later this winter will explore policy recommendations emerging from the next phase of this work.

Speakers

Maria Shallard (MSc) is the Director, Indigenous Research at the Canadian Climate Institute where she focuses on the development of Indigenous-led climate policy. She was raised on Líl?wat territory in Pemberton (Mt. Currie), B.C. She currently resides on unceded Qualicum territory. As someone of mixed European settler and Penelakut ancestry, Maria comes to her work knowing that learning and (un)learning is a life-long journey. She has over a decade of professional experience as an educator, project manager and researcher, coordinating Indigenous and western knowledge programs centered on planetary health and wellness.

Carlyn Allary (BSc) is a Research Associate, Indigenous Research at the Canadian Climate Institute. She was raised in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and is a proud member of the Red River Métis. She currently resides on the unceded territories of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation in Whistler, B.C. Her past work spans geotechnical engineering, carbon and environmental consulting, international NGOs and Indigenous organizations, with a focus on climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions and advancing environmental work in alignment with Indigenous priorities and values.

Kayla Fayant (she/her) works at Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) as the Regional Energy Coach program manager. Kayla is a Métis woman from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement and in her time working in her home community, she gained interest in clean energy, energy efficiency and housing. She joined the Bringing it Home team at ICE 3 years ago and has been supporting Indigenous communities’ participation in the energy efficiency space since through ICE’s Regional Energy Advisor Training program, curriculum and resource development, the Healthy Energy Homes project, and supporting other ICE programs.