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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Teresa Chilkowich compares her new position to an old-fashioned telephone operator who used to connect calls by moving plugs around a switchboard.

At the beginning of October, Chilkowich became the new community energy project co-ordinator for the Deh Cho with the Arctic Energy Alliance.

A non-profit society based in Yellowknife, the alliance's mission is to promote and facilitate the adoption of efficient, renewable and carbon-neutral energy practices by all members of NWT society.

Chilkowich said her job is all about connecting people with the information and resources they can use to make informed choices about energy use.

"I'm supporting people so they can get their projects going," she said.

The alliance opened a regional office in Fort Simpson – the first in the Deh Cho – in mid-June. Dehcho First Nations provided space for the office in its building.

Chilkowich said the alliance is opening regional offices so it can reach more people and facilitate community engagement. The bottom line is helping people reduce their energy footprint and energy bills, she said.

Some of the information Chilkowich will guide people through includes the popular Energy Efficiency Incentive Program, which provides government rebates to residents, non-profit organizations and businesses who buy energy-efficient models of certain appliances.

Chilkowich will also be connecting residents with other alliance staff and Department of Environment and Natural Resources staff who have specific knowledge and expertise.

"I get most excited about connecting people," she said.

Chilkowich is originally from outside of Edmonton but has lived in the village for close to a year. She said she is passionate about connecting people with simple things that will make a big difference. Many people in the Deh Cho already know how to live self-sufficiently off of the land and providing them with additional information to reduce their energy footprint or increase local food production will only increase their self-sufficiency, she said.

"I see that as very empowering," she added.

The alliance is hosting some upcoming events in the community.

On Nov. 29, Linda Todd, from the alliance's Yellowknife office, will be giving a presentation to the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m. in the Dehcho First Nations' boardroom. On Nov. 30, Todd will lead a safe and efficient wood heating workshop in the boardroom starting at 7 p.m.

On Dec. 1 there will be two workshops for women on home winterization. This first workshop, which has limited space available, is at 4 p.m. followed by a public session at 7 p.m.

Chilkowich said she encourages people to contact her at the office in the Dehcho First Nations building to learn more about how to make good energy-use choices.

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