Indigenous community receives $2.7M to upgrade biomass district heating system

The Canadian government has announced a $2.7 million investment for the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation for a sustainable forestry project that will help create jobs, improve the economy and reduce the use of diesel within the community.

According to a government news release, the money, which comes from the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program, will be used to upgrade and expand the community’s existing biomass district heating system and provide a market for local sawmill waste.

“The Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation is grateful for the funding it will be receiving from Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program to renovate our existing biomass-fuelled district heating system. We have been proud to be a leader in the adoption of this technology that will allow our community to continue as an example for other communities throughout Canada in the areas of appropriate energy technology and local community development. Our heating system is a demonstration that the values and philosophies inherent in our Indigenous culture have relevance to contemporary challenges,” said Chief Curtis Bosum of the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation in a statement.