Brokenhead starts heat pump program, creates jobs
SCANTERBURY — Brokenhead Ojibway Nation has launched a partnership with Efficiency Manitoba and Indigenous-led fund manager Raven Outcomes to improve home heating and cooling efficiency in the community, while creating jobs for its residents.
The Crown corporation will kick in $1.89 million through the First Nation's newly created BON Energy. The cash will pay for heat pump installations and other upgrades to 100 homes to drastically reduce heating and cooling costs.
'The milestone we are reaching today is not only the reduction of our consumption, but also the creation of BON Energy and what it's going to do for our community,' Chief Gordon Bluesky said. 'Once we start getting successful in these installations, our hope is to move on and start helping other communities and to expand this project.'
Colleen Kuruluk, the CEO of Efficiency Manitoba, said homeowners could save $900 to $1,200 annually.
'I suspect this announcement and the announcement of significant funding will definitely create some more interest with the partners we have,' she said, noting discussions are underway with other First Nations.
A formal call for interest will be issued soon.
The Crown corporation has earmarked $18.9 million to be spent from its community heat pump program by 2029.
Raven Outcomes is fronting $7 million to Brokenhead to carry out the work, which is slated to begin next month and be conducted in the next two summers.
'The project demonstrates the strength of Indigenous-led solutions in tackling complex challenges,' said Jeff Cyr, founding and managing partner of Raven.
Ground source heat pumps, the centrepiece of the upgrades, work by circulating a heat-transfer fluid through underground pipes.
The system draws warmth from the earth in winter and reverses the process in summer to cool homes — using a stable underground temperature to regulate indoor climate efficiently.
Installation typically takes one to two days, though planning can take longer depending on each site.
Seven members of Brokenhead have completed a two-week training certification in pump installation and maintenance. Funding is available to train five additional workers.
'It's going to help out our community long-term, and I hope I can help do that,' said Colby Bruyere, a Brokenhead member who worked security at South Beach Casino and Resort for 12 years before taking the new job.
'Hopefully, we can reach out to other communities with learning the process. Hopefully, our experience carries over.'
scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca
Scott BilleckReporter
Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott.
Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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