Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is committed to assist its members in preparing for the future while networking with leaders from other nations. That’s why more than 30 delegates attended two days of workshops about energy and food security that were hosted by T’Sou-ke Nation on March 14-15. Skills were acquired and knowledge shared, all things required for sustainable communities. The workshops were part of NmTC’s nation to nation mentorship project with funding from Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

“This is our power… communications,” Chief Gordon Planes said in his welcome to more than 30 delegates gathered at Lazzar Hall as he told the story of the planning for T’Sou-ke Nation’s future that began a decade ago.

That people power led to the nation becoming one of the world’s leaders in community solar energy generation and to its near self-sufficiency today.

“Communities take care of each other; that’s what we’re all about,” he said. “Change happens. We may not know where we’re going exactly, but we’re guided by the Creator.”

Andrew Moore told the group about the comprehensive community planning process that started T’Sou-ke “creating a vision in which everyone could see themselves” rather than having divisions and arguments that beset communities everywhere.

Meanwhile, Chief Planes said that NmTC nations’ great strength was understanding that “we’re never going to be in competition with each other. In fact, we complement each other.

“If we work as a collective, we can do it. Let’s come back in a year and do this again,” the chief said.

Over the two days, delegates took part in discussions about a broad range of topics that included strategies and best practices. They also had tours of solar installations around the community as well as the commercial wasabi greenhouses.

Feasting with the T’Sou-ke community took place. One evening was in the nation’s hall. And there was a midday seafood gathering and feast on the beach at Siaosun, arranged by Christine George.

It was followed by the T’Sou-ke annual water blessing ceremony. Shirley Alphonse has, over the years, collected waters from 50 oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. A cedar branch was dipped in that water in thanks to what the sea provides. People also offered their personal prayers.