Add Your Heading Text HereEnergy Efficiency Summer Student Program teaches high school students green energy solutions
Story by Blood Tribe Communications Officer Henry Heavyshield
On August 25, 2025, the Energy Efficiency Summer Student Program (EESSP) successfully concluded its second year. The program is a partnership between Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training and Greenplanet Energy Analytics, a firm that helps clients reach goals in energy sustainability.
The EESSP is a seven-week program that began in 2024. The program introduced 10 high school students, under the guidance of student coordinator Keelie Good Striker, to the field of sustainable energy and energy efficiency solutions. The program is funded generously through Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
With the threat of climate change and the rising costs of heating and electricity, green energy is a field that has the potential to benefit community health and economic prosperity. This growing field offers plenty of career opportunities.
“In our culture, as Niitsitapi, the land is very important to us,” said Good Striker, a University of Alberta student pursuing her Bachelor of Education in the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program, “So if we can take any measure that we can to protect our lands so that future generations have a home to live on, it’s important. And so a lot of these measures will help our home remain healthy for future generations to come.”
“I think for myself and my students, we learned that you don’t just have to get a science degree or learn about the environment to be in green energy. You can go into a trade and be a part of green energy, too,” added Good Striker.
Over the course of the summer, students participated in energy efficiency assessments of community buildings, identified potential upgrades, and calculated potential cost and energy savings these upgrades would provide.
Students also participated in field trips, guest speaker presentations, and hands-on activities that broadened their knowledge within the field of green energy.
Together the students created their own company to perform energy efficiency assessments: Niitsitapi Energy Efficiency Technology (NEET). In addition to completing upgrades to the BTEST building, students also conducted community engagement sessions.
“We had an information booth set up at the [Kainai] Powwow and this summer and we had a ‘lunch and learn’ workshop with Envirotech Geothermal Ltd.. And we did weekly Facebook post updates and energy saving tips,” said Aiden Wells.
Students also completed several upgrades to the BTEST building. These included adding spray-foam insulation to windows and doors, insulating the attic, replacing fluorescent light fixtures with LEDs, and adding weather-stripping to exterior doors.
Students shared some of the highlights from the program that will help them as they continue their educational and career journeys.
“The simple housework and maintenance really makes a difference, I learned, and I think that’s very valuable for me to be independent,” said Chalaine Eagle Child.
“It was really fun learning about these different projects, improving the windows, the attic. I really enjoyed the programming, and it’s definitely something I’ll keep in mind for the future, especially now that I’m a college student,” said Aapanii Bad Man, who recently graduated high school and will be pursuing her Bachelor’s of Nursing Degree this fall.
Students also performed an assessment of elder Sharon Frank’s residence where they helped identify and install several quick and effective upgrades.
“The reason why we went into the elder’s home is because Blood Tribe Social Development covers elders’ bills, but there’s no set budget for this, and the costs just keep going up and up. So I’m trying to work with them and Greenplanet to complete these energy efficiency assessments on elders’ homes to try to help alleviate the costs of that budget, especially with the rising price of electricity and natural gas,” said Levi Little Mustache, BTEST Director.
During their presentation, students conveyed the important message that many of these upgrades can be done by residents with minimal cost and experience.
Students also visited Issoitapi school in Levern to learn about the many the energy saving innovations used in its construction, including geothermal heating, triple-paned windows, and a wind turbine to generate electricity.
They also visited an off-grid home constructed by Blood Tribe members Dan and Karen McGuinness. Their home utilizes solar and wind power, straw bale insulation, and a greenhouse and aquaculture system to grow their own food.
“There was a lot of hands-on work, a lot of hard work that the students did, especially the attic insulation, it wasn’t an easy task for them. So I hope it taught them to have a good work ethic and to work hard for what they want,” said Good Striker.
“This inspires me about my future, about life, owning a home someday, the labour involved, the hands-on work. It was just a fun program,” said Hudson Bare Shin Bone.
As the EESSP continues to grow, Kainai could soon become a leader among other First Nations in the overall goal of achieving net-zero efficiency. Net-zero efficiency is when a building produces as much clean energy as it consumes.
“We have the opportunity for the Blood Tribe to be at the forefront of energy efficiency,” said Little Mustache.
Little Mustache also stressed the importance of collaboration with other Blood Tribe Administration Departments and community members that contributed to the program’s overall success.
“One of the cornerstones of the program is career exposure to energy efficiency. Our facilitator, Megan [Foster], Clayton [Stafford], and the students, they did a wonderful job. This was made possible by having the support of Blood Tribe Housing, having the support of Kainai Board of Education, and the support of the elders,” said Little Mustache.
This summer BTEST employed 52 Blood Tribe students in positions across Blood Tribe Departments and Entities. BTA would like to commend these students for their hard work and dedication.
The program’s final stage, installation of solar panels at the BTEST building, is set to conclude this fall.
