Island First Nation's solar energy gives power back to the people
http://www.timescolonist.com/life/
Island+First+Nation+solar+energy+gives+power+back+people/6155417/story.html
BY JUDITH LAVOIE, TIMES COLONIST FEBRUARY 15, 2012
There's an evangelistic gleam in Chief Gordon Planes's eyes as he climbs up a small ladder onto banks of solar panels overlooking the water where the Sooke River runs into Sooke Harbour.
The futuristic energy source, with a solar system twice the size of anything else in B.C, reflected in the timeless tide pools of the estuary, are a perfect metaphor for Planes's back-to-the-future agenda for T'Sou-ke First Nation.
"The whole territory used to be used in a way that was sustainable. We only took what we needed and we need to get back to that," he said.
Three years ago T'Sou-ke embarked on an ambitious plan to use solar power as the kickoff point for creating a sustainable community.
"It's a demonstration project. It shows these things are possible. You have to look at ways of being creative and educating everyone to try and fix what's wrong with Mother Earth," he said.
The plan is built around energy autonomy, food self-sufficiency, cultural renaissance and economic development. [ . . . ]