“This will have a ripple effect on our education,” Delorme said. “Now that our children have seen this, we are now preparing science and engineering for them. This is our contribution to make them excited about what they are going to do in university.”

Solar panels are part of a community-built solar project, which has been brewing for many years and is mainly funded by the federal government. This is also a step towards Cowessess’ goal to become the most environmentally friendly aboriginal in Canada.

More than 800 panels were installed in 5 community buildings: schools, senior citizens’ centers, shopping malls, water treatment plants, and band offices.

On Tuesday, the community gathered to watch the panel officially open.

“I feel very proud today. It feels good, we actually did all our hard work in the past nearly a year. All of this work finally came to fruition,” said Ashleigh Dawn, a Cowesses member who helped install solar panels.

Watch | Solar energy project started:

More than 800 solar panels have been installed in five facilities in Cowessess First Nation, Saskatchewan. The community estimates that they will save $20,000 in energy costs, and all of this money will be used for underfunded services. 0:24

Locals spent more than 2,000 hours building these panels, and the installation process was led by SkyFire Energy in Calgary.

The total capacity of the solar array system is 321 kilowatts—enough to power more than 60 homes—and will generate 390 megawatt hours per year.

In Cowessess’ case, electricity will be used to offset consumption in five facilities in the community.

Cowessess estimates that this will save approximately $20,000 per year. The money will be used for underfunded youth and seniors projects.

But it’s not just about saving.

Delorm said that the sun has always played an important role in indigenous cultures, and solar projects are a way to commemorate ancestors and the land.

“This is Cowessess’ contribution to our children and our unborn children, and we will protect and protect Mother Earth,” Delorm said.

“sun– Pisim In our language, Cree is spiritual and energetic. But it is here now to use it to do a little business. “

Dawn was qualified to install solar panels on Cowessess, and now he is a full-time job.

“We are here to make sure we keep the planet clean. You want it to be cleaner than you find it, and renewable energy is indeed the most obvious way for us to move on,” Dawn said.

David Kelly, CEO of SkyFire Energy, worked with Aboriginal people in Western Canada to install solar panels as a way to promote economic growth and employment through renewable energy.

“Indigenous people have indeed adopted renewable energy as a good thing for the future, and it is also a good thing for their people. So provide employment, provide good jobs, and make it a better place for everyone,” Kelly said.

Cadmus also said that the project will also help community rehabilitation, After the most recent discovery 751 unmarked graves on the site of the Maryval Indian Boarding School.

Before Tuesday’s event, the Canadian Army Snowbirds performed an air show to the community. Cadmus thanked them in the opening remarks for supporting the treatment process.