Raven Wing Projects

06/13/2024

Was a really productive day today kicking off the seawall project in Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation Gwa'yas'dums Village. Had some really great analysis completed by Green Shores, Legacy, and Northwest Hydraulic Consulting.

Initial presentation and planning was discussed with community. There will be lots more opportunity to give input, but today was a great start! Liz represented Council and Band Manager Tamara were there too. Plus Deano C**n provided archeological history in our walk about.

05/26/2024

We are so pleased to oversee this project as it moves forward...

Going green with Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation owned Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi - Echo Bay Marina & Lodge

We are so pleased to partner with government to move in the direction of reducing GHGs and lessen our environmental footprint with our power use in the pristine Broughton Archipelago.

Our solar battery hybrid microgrid will not only provide environmental offsets but will also reduce the overhead costs to power our Marina:

Home Local News - North Island Gazette
Tyson Whitney - May 24, 2024 9:27 AM

Canada, B.C. support First Nations to power up new clean-energy projects
The projects are receiving funding through the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative.

In the North Island area, the Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis First Nation will be receiving $500,000 toward the installation of a solar-PV system and a 550-kWh battery energy storage system on the Echo Bay Marina and Lodge to replace two diesel generators.

This project is receiving funding through the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and New Relationship Trust (NRT). This round of BCICEI support includes $7.5 million from PacifiCan and Indigenous Services Canada and $2.3 million from the Government of B.C through its CleanBC plan. The funding will help First Nations develop and implement clean-energy generation, energy efficiency and energy storage projects, creating employment and economic opportunities in their communities.

“The launch of a new funding stream for small-scale renewable energy projects is a testament to our commitment to inclusive and sustainable development,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “With over $1.6 million of funding supporting projects on the North Island, this initiative will enable more First Nations to contribute to the power grid, ensuring that even the smallest projects can have a big impact on the community and the environment.”

“First Nations are key partners as we work together to build cleaner, more resilient communities and power B.C.’s growing economy with renewable electricity,” said Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “From roof-top solar to residential heat pumps and large-scale wind generation, the projects receiving funding today will advance Indigenous clean energy and create new opportunities across the province.”

Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada, stated that the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative is a “First Nation-led solution that will create good-paying jobs for communities. The renewable energy sector is growing across the world and this initiative will ensure Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia can benefit from this growth. Not only will it contribute to lowering our greenhouse gas emissions, but it will only help build an economy that is fair to everyone.”

04/07/2024

I have been asked lately what does a Project Manager do for a First Nation....so I am going to give a Project Management 101 overview.

First thing is to determine what the membership needs and wants. That is done through a Comprehensive Community Plan that is designed with input from the members. The CCP is inclusive of all Community needs and wants including social services, operations&maintenance, health, education, housing, Infrastructure, stewardship, and future development.

First Nations are eligible to receive minimal core funding that covers a set amount for some of these categories for day to day operations. This amount comes to each Band as long as they have submitted their required reporting on each core funded item.

Housing is exempt from core funding and Bands are expected to collect rent payments to cover the mortgages, repairs, and replacement costs.

If assets require Replacements or upgrades then Bands have to compete with the other 200 Bands in BC to be prioritized to fund these asset needs. Indigenous Services Canada only has enough funding each year for a limited number of major projects in BC and uses mandated criteria to prioritize which communities win the funds for much needed infrastructure or housing projects.

This criteria includes but is not limited to:
- administrative responsibility to submit detailed proposals with interim and final reporting
- financial responsibility demonstrated with yearly audited financial reports
- ability to carry out projects with qualified staff in office and on projects
- demonstrated first nation driven planning for projects (CCP)

ISC and other funding bodies don't tell you this out right, it is written in their policies and mandates on line in their website.

Once you identify a project need, there are 5 phases to each project.
- prefeasibility
- feasibility
- design
- build
- completion

There are extensive proposals that need to be submitted for funding at each stage. Projects can be halted or postponed at any stage by ISC if they have questions or do not see that the project is feasible. Each project also requires engineer sign off for ISC to move to the next phase.

If at any point, your Band leadership or management changes, the ISC officers will re-evaluate your Band's ability to meet the criteria listed above. They do this through yearly examinination of required reporting and expected outcomes being in good standing.

This is the simple version of the management and financial accountability required for each Nation and each project. There are much more detailed pieces that are involved, but we won't list them in this simple overview.

In order for your Band to be successful in receiving project funding, they need to demonstrate all of these competencies better than all the other Bands competing for these same limited funds.

03/16/2024

This was such a great project! I'm so proud to serve Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation. The people are amazing and I love seeing them happy 😊 more projects to come!

01/18/2024

What an honor today! I have been successful in obtaining my First Nation Housing Professional Designation (FNHP)!

This Professional Designation is outlined at this link...
https://fnhpa.ca/about-fnhpa.html

I am so excited for receiving my official certification in the next few weeks.

12/12/2023

🌊💦😊👌🏽💦🌊

12/12/2023

Great work day, housing inspections completed for code compliance on 6 new houses in Gwa'yas'dums Village. Just need rods and caulking inside on the window frames...validated at 80% completion...drywall going ahead now 😊
Affordability and Accountability by Ajia with S&S Willie Contracting 🤩

11/03/2023

Well done Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation 👏🏽😊 Phase 2 of IODI Indigenous Off Diesel Initiative project!

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-announces-10-indigenous-communities-advancing-clean-energy-solutions-848106289.html?fbclid=IwAR2Cl1cjnqirFRI1Xf7u8Trwd-yWR2dJCKwSj4naB16yL9F8TCWg2L0cNa0

/CNW/ - As the impacts of climate change are being felt across Canada, Indigenous and remote communities are leading the way in the deployment of clean,...

10/29/2023

Our next project for Echo Bay Developments! 😊 only 2 First Nation projects approved on this page! Thankyou Province of BC for your support 💗