Ishkoday is the Oji-cree word meaning: “flame” or “fire”. Fire is energy; Indigenous people have always understood the power and respect that fire commands. Throughout Canada’s history Indigenous people have unequally experienced firsthand the benefits and the dangers of energy generation.

First Nations Energy Sustainability Association, or Ishkoday, was formed in 2023 by the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association (ONWAA). ONWAA has provided culturally appropriate resources and training to First Nations Social Services for over 50 years. With the help of its social assistance offices, ONWAA has been providing low-income energy programs since the 1980’s to alleviate some of the pressures in its offices.

After devasting household fires in communities of ONWAA members, the ONWAA Board of Directors concluded an organization was needed to support their members in practical and grassroots ways of nurturing energy efficiency. They made this decision in April of 2023 and decided to start a charitable organization to assist their membership communities. They received non-profit status on September 9^th of 2023 and continue to work on obtaining charitable status.

Although energy sustainability, accessibility, and affordability continue to evade many Indigenous people, our goal is to be a spark that lights a greater fire – an energy revolution, where the threat of energy security is diminished. Ishkoday!