Government of Canada Announces Funding for SevenGen Indigenous Youth Energy Summit

News release

September 13, 2022 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Natural Resources Canada

Indigenous youth are leading communities in building a more sustainable and inclusive future. That is why the Government of Canada supports youth organizations that are undertaking important work, such as amplifying youth voices and empowering the next generation of leaders who are accelerating the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, is pleased to announce a $442,600 investment to Student Energy for SevenGen 2022, a gathering dedicated to empower the next generation of energy and environmental leaders accelerating our transition to live in a more sustainable way.

In January 2019, 200 First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from every province and territory came together for the first-ever SevenGen Summit. The Summit’s theme was Powering Resilience, with goals for empowering youth and demonstrating the importance of education while furthering conversations on climate and energy challenges and opportunities, particularly for Indigenous communities looking to implement renewable energy for a sustainable future.

Building on the success of the first SevenGen Summit, more than 200 Indigenous youth gathered from September 8-11 for SevenGen 2022, hosted at Whitecap Dakota Nation in Saskatchewan. The goal of this year's Summit was to engage, inform and enable delegates to build capacity, confidence and community that will inspire individuals and groups to carry forward their ideas beyond the Summit.

In addition to SevenGen 2022, the funding provided will be used to deliver a Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program. The program draws upon the youth empowerment and training expertise of Student Energy and the energy project development knowledge of Indigenous Clean Energy to create a robust ecosystem of support to assist Indigenous youth on their paths to become energy leaders.

This project is also supported by partners such as Student Energy, Suncor, Indigenous Clean Energy and Cenovus, bringing the total investment to over $1.1 million.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting youth participation in Canada’s clean energy sector and collaborating with them on actionable solutions in an effort to harness individual and collective action to fight climate change and help Canada meet its target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while ensuring Indigenous communities are supported in transitioning toward a sustainable and prosperous future.

Quotes

“Our government is pleased to support SevenGen 2022. This gathering of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from across the country enabled young leaders to share knowledge and build innovative solutions for their communities. The delivery of the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program is an important step in empowering the next generation of energy and climate leaders. Congratulations to all of those involved.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources

“Indigenous people in Canada hold vast amounts of knowledge that is beneficial to both Canada and the world for implementing climate solutions. Indigenous youth need opportunities, training and connections to the land that will help them be the leaders we need to deliver a sustainable future. It is a great step that Natural Resources Canada is working to build relationships that will enable the initiatives we need to grow.”

Danielle Kehler

SevenGen Manager

Quick facts

Federal funding for this project is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, a $220-million program that strives to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity. The program is part of the government’s Investing in Canada plan, a more than $180-billion investment in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy ensures Canada will remain a world leader in clean power. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting local solutions and community-driven projects that will build a clean energy future for all. Together, we are building healthier, greener and more energy-resilient communities for future generations.

Associated links

Contacts

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Keean Nembhard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
613-323-7892
keean.nembhard@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2022-09-13