Ever since its solar project was completed in July 2009, T’Sou-ke Nation has been seen not only as an accomplisher, but also as a teacher in Sustainability 101. That role comes as no surprise to Chief Gordon Planes.

“It is consistent with our longhouse ideals,” he has said. “We are giving this information away free of charge to show how sustainability can be achieved once again, using the power of the sun, wind and sea.”

In late June, another busload of learners arrived, eager to see the solar electricity and hot water produced from roofs on homes, offices and the canoe shed.

Chief Gordon Planes hosted delegates from the First Nations Renewable Energy Symposium on June 25. Earlier in the day, he had talked at the University of Victoria about T’Souke’s goal of energy security and how it fits into overall sustainability for his community.

The symposium was hosted by the Office of Indigenous Affairs at UVic and included presentations about the T’Souke and other First Nation renewable energy projects.

People have been showing up by the busload and in smaller groups since last summer, all wanting to know more about the solar project… government ministers, First Nation leaders, visitors from cities and towns throughout BC

“We are using it as an educational tool to get the message out to the rest of BC,” Planes told the group.

What T’Souke is also teaching is that energy security through its solar program is just one piece in the nation’s sustainability puzzle.

T’Sou-ke recently was awarded the Solar Community of the Year award from SolarBC. That organization is sponsored by the federal and provincial governments and is administered by the BC Sustainable Energy Association.

“By becoming a solar community, T’Souke Nation has a new vision for the future and a new role as clean energy leaders, said BC’s Ministry of Small Business.

But community planner Andrew Moore, while proud of the role that T’Souke is taking, wondered about a small coastal First Nation taking such a leadership role.

“There’s something wrong if we are the most solar intensive community in Canada,” he said. “What is every one else doing?”

But he said the slow uptake of renewable energy projects might have more to do with the lack of tariffs and incentives. “Eventually everyone will be forced to do it. And our electricity bills do show we have credits all the time.”