Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) is a non-profit organization led by a majority Indigenous board and senior staff. ICE advances broad sustainable prosperity by amplifying First Nation, Inuit, and Métis leadership in clean energy projects.
Through high-quality, hands-on capacity building, career training, and mentorship, ICE supports Indigenous people in their clean energy journeys while promoting meaningful collaboration with energy companies, utilities, governments, development firms, clean tech innovators, the academic sector, and capital markets.
– Cara Sanders, Chair, Board of Directors
– James Jenkins, ICE Executive Director
Need
For many Indigenous communities across Canada, the lack of clean and reliable energy exacerbates the daily experience of grinding poverty. Approximately 200 communities are not connected to an electricity grid and must rely on diesel generators for their power. Meanwhile, the climate crisis disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities.
Amidst these troubling realities, we are hopeful because Indigenous communities are leading the way in the transition to a clean energy future. About a third of First Nations and some Métis and Inuit communities are actively involved in clean energy opportunities. At the same time, two thirds of communities are not actively involved. Far too many Indigenous communities currently lack access to information and skills training related to clean energy opportunities that provide a variety of economic benefits and employment opportunities.
Our work
We have a unique capability to meet these needs through our extensive and knowledgeable network of over 1,000 individuals, including current and past program participants, alumni, mentors, and members of our board and advisory council.
Our work today includes:
Indigenous Capacity-Building and Clean Energy Project Development
- Working alongside Indigenous champions and communities who partner with us
- Building Indigenous clean energy skills through hands-on, mentorship-based training with the 20/20 Catalyst Program
- Equipping Indigenous clean energy champions to transition away from diesel to clean energy through the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI)
- Increasing Indigenous capacity, skills, and projects in energy efficiency through the Bringing It Home Program
- Developing zero-emission vehicle infrastructure with Indigenous community partners through our Charge Up Program
Youth Employment and Engagement
- Advancing Indigenous youth employment in the clean energy sector with the Generation Power Program and advancing equity in the sector through our employer equity trainings
- Supporting youth to launch their own clean energy projects grounded in cultural identity and peer-to-peer support through ImaGENation
Building Connections for Clean Energy Impact
- Enhancing global cooperation and knowledge-sharing on clean energy through Global Hub and the Decolonizing Power podcast
- Mentorship drawing on the talent and experience of Indigenous and clean energy industry experts
- Fostering collaboration across sectors through the ICE Network
- Bringing together Indigenous and clean energy leaders from across the country for clean energy collaboration through The ICE Gathering
Contribute today!
Our mission is to stimulate leadership and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in the transition to clean energy.
We advance towards our mission by:
- Responding to the climate and energy crisis with tangible solutions
- Building the capacity of clean energy champions to reach a growing number of communities
- Developing innovative programs that respond to rapidly changing times
- Stewarding funds in a responsible manner to enhance our efficiency and maintain the trust of our donors. ICE can accept charitable contributions—and issue tax receipts through its partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation.
