(Submitted photo/Simone Cote)

By Ben Tompkins

Clean Energy Products

Kinistin Saulteaux Nation receives over $845k to build EV charging system

Jul 21, 2025 | 4:44 PM

By way of the Low Carbon Economy Fund’s Indigenous Leadership Fund, the Government of Canada is supporting 13 Indigenous-led clean energy projects and that includes one in the northeast.

Kinistin Saulteaux Nation is receiving over $845,000 for its Kizis-Pimibizaowgamik project to build a charging system to power community EVs for local work and medical transportation.

“We definitely wouldn’t be able to do it without that grant, so obviously we’re very appreciative to be able to be chosen to receive the funds. We’re just really super appreciative to be able to have the opportunity to move forward with this project, and hopefully, it’ll be something that we can model for other nations to move towards green energy and healthier environments,” said Director of Economic Development and Major Projects, Simone Cote.

The project is a solar-powered charging station, so electric vehicles would be able to charge using solar power. There would also be a wind turbine added, so cars can charge in the winter, because there wouldn’t be enough sun.

The First Nation currently has 10 electric vehicles in its fleet, which are used as local work vehicles or medical vehicles to transport local band members to appointments off the reserve.

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Since acquiring the fleet, they are saving $65,000 a year on gas for just the medical transport vehicles alone.

They received a previous grant from Transport Canada to acquire said vehicles in the first place.

They have been using two chargers at their modular building for their vehicles, but that uses a substantial amount of energy from the band office.

“Land is important to us, so the amount of emissions that we produce with our gas vehicles, as opposed to really none with the electric vehicles, is quite meaningful. Our chief is very focused on clean, green energy, so these projects are near and dear to him,” Cote added.

We are actually focusing on future projects right now, we’re working on a solar light walking path, we’ll be doing another subdivision of homes with solar power for those as well, so it’s an important initiative for our Chief, Council, and leadership in moving forward with it, in the future, with clean energy.”

The carport charging system is close to completion, as the cement pad was put down in the fall, with the structure beginning to be put together in June. The goal is to have the structure and panels completed by next week and operational within three weeks or less.

Once it becomes operational, it will be the first of its kind in Canada.

(submitted/Simone Cote)

As it stands right now, the carport will be used solely for the fleet of 10, however, it does have the capacity to accommodate other vehicles for payment.

Currently, there is a nearby gas station on the corner of the highway, where the band will be putting a level one charger.

That charger will get a vehicle to full in 20 to 45 minutes, while the carport will take six to eight hours to fully charge.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com