The sixth cohort of participants will continue learning fundamental clean energy skills to bring back this knowledge to their communities.
By Indigenous Clean Energy
OTTAWA, ON, June 9, 2023 – The 20/20 Catalysts Program, Indigenous Clean Energy’s flagship capacity-building program, will host the second on-site session (from June 8 to 16) in Saskatoon (Treaty 6 territory of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota and Métis nations) to continue the learning experience and networking opportunities the program provides for participants.
“The 20/20 Catalysts Program has been a space for connectivity, encouragement, and knowledge exchange. I look forward to the continued growth of Indigenous-led climate solutions across Turtle Island during our second week in Saskatchewan,” says Serena Mendizabal, 20/20 Catalysts.
During this on-site, Catalysts will engage in learning sessions about moving clean energy projects forward on the ground, their feasibility, permits and approval processes, and how to foster meaningful and fair partnerships. The most knowledgeable clean energy mentors, coaches and practitioners will lead these sessions.
All 20/20 Catalysts Program’s mentors facilitate learning sessions using various teaching techniques, exposing Catalysts to the breadth and depth of project development and completion, including hands-on learning.
Catalysts, alongside mentors and ICE staff members, will be touring clean energy projects located in the province, including the Cowessess First Nation solar project and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council Bioenergy Centre. These will be remarkable experiences for participants as they will be exposed to successful projects and hear from the people behind them.
Daphne Kay, a past Catalysts herself, current mentor, and ICE team member, will guide participants on their visit to her community’s solar project.
“How can we hope to move forward if we were never taught what’s possible or how to act on our ideas? The 20/20 Catalysts Program is exactly that, a program dedicated to capacity building and providing a window to a world of possibilities! I am extremely excited to welcome the 2023 Cohort to Cowessess First Nation and hope our community’s stories can help other Nations in their clean energy journeys,” she says.
“I started where they are now, as a Catalyst, very new to the renewable energy sector. Now that I have a few projects under my belt, I can proudly say I am a mentor, and I want to share the lessons I have learned along the way.”
ICE’s award-winning 20/20 Catalysts Program provides participants (Catalysts) with practical and applied learning about clean energy projects. This unique and interactive program has equipped over 120 Indigenous leaders with tools and resources to develop their skills and maximize the social and economic benefits their communities can gain through clean energy initiatives.
On 13, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., ICE will host a networking reception at Remai Modern, 102 Spadina Crescent East Saskatoon, SK, to learn more about the 20/20 Catalysts Program, meet the current cohort, and hear about Indigenous communities’ impactful work to advance a clean energy transition. Reserve your spot using this link.
Stay connected on the ICE Network and our social media platforms to follow the 20/20 Catalysts’ journeys.
About Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)
ICE is the leading platform in accelerating First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participation in clean energy projects in Canada from coast to coast to coast. ICE supports Indigenous Peoples to be clean energy change agents through capacity building, skills development, career training, and mentorship with high-quality and hands-on programming that is by, for and with community.