NUNATUKAVUT COMMUNITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZED AS CLEAN ENERGY LEADER WITH 2023 LUMINARY AWARD

ST. JOHN’S, NL October 26, 2023 – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) today announced that it is a proud recipient of a Leadership Award (Organization) as part of the 2023 Luminary Awards presented by takeCHARGE. takeCHARGE is an energy efficiency awareness and rebate program run by NL Hydro and Newfoundland Power.

The annual Luminary Awards recognizes companies, organizations, communities, and individuals all across Newfoundland and Labrador who are taking brilliant steps to use energy wisely – and inspiring others to do the same. The Leadership Award (Organization) recognizes an organization’s leadership and commitment to energy efficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador through activities such as planning, project development, energy management and employee engagement.

takeCHARGE held it’s Luminary Awards luncheon in St. John’s at the Emera Innovation Exchange this week to celebrate the award winners from the province. Regina Foley, Senior Energy Advisor, and Olive Williams, Project and Implementation Coordinator, attended virtually to accept this award on behalf of NCC.

NCC has received funding from the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODC) and Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities Fund to undertake clean energy work. The aim is to reduce diesel reliance in remote Indigenous communities that are completely dependent on fossil fuels like diesel for heat and power. Most recently, solar panels have been commissioned in the NunatuKavut communities of Black Tickle and St. Lewis as a result of the hard work and dedication of NCC’s energy team and engineered by solar experts Green Sun Rising. NCC champions initiatives that seek to self-determine its energy future on NunatuKavut Inuit lands, ice and waters through a community-driven process.

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“We know that finding ways to respond to the impacts of climate change will continue to play an integral part of how NCC plans for the future. By moving toward clean, renewable energy, we will better position ourselves for the days to come. Nakummek to takeCHARGE for recognizing the important energy work NCC does through the presentation of this award. Receiving this recognition is a wonderful reminder of the great work that we can all accomplish if we move forward together on a cleaner, greener path.”

– Todd Russell, President of NCC

Quick Facts

  • There are nine NunatuKavut communities dependent on diesel fuel, and over 200 remote communities in Canada overall that rely on diesel, many of which are Indigenous.
  • NCC is the representative governing body for approximately 6,000 Inuit who reside primarily in south and central Labrador. In July 2018, NCC entered into talks with the Government of Canada on the Recognition of its Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD). In September 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.

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Media Contact

Kelly Broomfield
Chief of Communications
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca

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