FBC receives FortisBC 2025 Efficiency in Action Award

The Fraser Basin Council is proud to receive the Fortisbc Efficiency in Action Award, recognizing B.C. businesses and organizations who have made exceptional efforts to reduce energy use.

FBC has been promoting energy efficiency and providing energy efficiency education and training to build capacity amongst Indigenous communities for nearly a decade! Here are some of our key programs from the last five years:

The First Nations Home EnergySave (FNHES) program is a BC-wide initiative designed to support Indigenous communities in improving home energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building local capacity. The program helps First Nations build capacity to plan and implement energy efficiency upgrades in new and existing homes. The program hosts webinars and workshops, provides free virtual and in-person training including courses such as BCIT’s Fundamentals of Zero Energy Buildings, develops communications resources, and administers learning grants for Indigenous residents of BC to pursue education or training in subjects related to home and community energy efficiency. The FNHES Program also includes a service called Ask an Energy Specialist, which provides free guidance from energy consultants to First Nations communities to support planning and implementation of energy conservation measures.

The First Nations Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program (EEMP) is co-delivered with Indigenous housing expert and Red Seal carpenter Richard Hall of Nuxalk Nation.  This program aims to build skills and knowledge in energy-efficient building construction within Indigenous communities by training a peer group of eight Indigenous building experts representing four regions in BC: Northern BC, Central Coast, Southern BC and the BC Interior. Upon completing the training, the eight building expert trainers will deliver EEMP workshops focused on providing introductory energy efficiency solutions and practices for both new constructions and existing homes in 10 First Nations communities.

Train the Trainer, in collaboration with BCIT and AHMA, the program was designed to train Indigenous professionals and community members in energy-efficient building practices and enable participants to become trainers themselves, multiplying the impact within their communities. The program showcases practical, culturally grounded approaches to sustainable housing, helping communities replicate success.

The Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) Network is a capacity-building initiative focused on advancing renewable energy and electrification in Indigenous communities across BC, by providing financial support for Nation-based staff positions. Through a combination of group training, one on one mentorship, and customized skill development, this peer-to-peer network supported a total of eight Community Energy Champions (CEC) across BC. Over the past three years, the network organized 8 in-person cohort gatherings and 60+ mentorship sessions. More than 16 credentials were completed by the CECs, ranging from renewable energy fundamentals, energy auditing, grant writing to project management, equipping them for sustained success in their respective roles and motivating transformative change within their communities.