Скачать или смотреть Jason Cook-Studer presents on the Pithesowiskotew Community Energy - Saskatchewan RCE Awards 2025

Join Jason Cook-Studer from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band as he shares the powerful story behind the Cree word for electricity — pita su isku tu — a poetic combination of “bird” and “fire.” In this fascinating talk, Jason explores the cultural significance of electricity through Indigenous language and mythology, touching on the Thunderbird, a mythological being believed to bring lightning, wind, and even forest fires.

This video offers a unique intersection of language, culture, and clean energy, highlighting how traditional knowledge and modern technology are deeply interconnected. It's a meaningful reminder of how Indigenous perspectives can shape and deepen our understanding of the natural world and the forces that power our lives.

#IndigenousKnowledge #CleanEnergy #CreeLanguage #Electricity #Thunderbird #CulturalHeritage #LacLaRonge #FirstNations #Sustainability #EnergyTransition

The Community Governance Recognition Award for outstanding contributions of First Nations Communities & Municipalities to the SDGs in Saskatchewan will go to Jason Cook-Studer (Lac La Ronge Indian Band) for their “Pithesowiskotew Community Energy” project.

From the live stream of the Saskatchewan Regional Center for Expertise (RCE) Awards 2025 in Regina, Canada, May 30, 2025.

In 2022, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band started the Community Energy Planning Project, a project funded by Natural Resources Canada under the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREP) Program. The SREP program aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the replacement of fossil-fuel generated electricity with renewables. This supports Canada’s equitable transition to an electrified economy and creates clean jobs in the process, while at the same time contributes to advancing the 2030 agenda to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Through this project, LLRIB aims to create one Community Energy Plan (CEP) for each of the 6 communities of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to address the communities’ current and future energy needs. The CEP will set the basis for any future energy projects in the communities. This requires participation and input from community members to shape their energy future.