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Wood stoves for Whati Project provides training, installs efficient stoves
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 10, 2013
WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
Ten Whati residents have new wood stoves and many also have new chimneys, thanks to a project that took place in the community last month.
Whati student Alfred Beaverho helps install a new chimney on a home in Whati in May. Beaverho was one of five students earning their wood energy technical training certificates. - photo courtesy of Donald Andre |
The Tlicho Government, the Whati community government and Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) partnered to deliver additional training to four students working toward their wood energy technical training certificates.
The program, which is delivered through Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc., trains students how to install, inspect and maintain wood burning systems, according to the company's website.
The students, who were from Behchoko and Whati, installed the new wood stoves while being supervised by staff from AEA throughout the week of May 20. The project finished on May 24. Chief Alfonz Nitsiza said the community jumped at the opportunity to train residents and install new wood stoves for residents who needed them.
"We thought that was an excellent idea," he said.
Residents who needed new stoves submitted applications to the community government, which were then narrowed down to 10 households. Elders and low-income residents were given top priority.
"Elders are really happy," Nitsiza said.
Nitsiza said while all homes in Whati have electric furnaces, many households also have wood stoves, but some are very old.
"They had gone beyond their usefulness," he said.
He said the project means more people can rely on their wood stoves for heat, reducing their dependence on furnaces and the diesel fuel it takes to run the community's generator.
"We have talked about it because of too much use of diesel fuel in communities like Whati that rely on a generator for our electric power," he said.
Sonny Zoe, Tlicho regional energy co-ordinator for Arctic Energy Alliance and a community government councillor, said the new, efficient stoves also use much less wood than older stoves.
"They're safer for the environment, safer for human beings," he said. "The new stoves are more energy efficient. The wood lasts longer."
Zoe said that means if a household usually used six cords of wood over a winter, they can now expect to use about four.
Zoe said along with installing the new wood stoves and in some cases, new chimneys, workers provided information to residents about how to get the most out of them, such as not burning wood that is too green and how to operate the stove safely.
Nitsiza said creating a renewed reliance on wood heat will also generate the need for a steady supply of wood.
"This will create an opportunity for some young people that are not working right now to maybe harvest firewood," he said. "It could be a business opportunity for younger people, too."
Nitsiza said the community hopes to install another five new stoves this year, with the possibility of expanding the program into other communities in the Tlicho region.
Zoe said in the meantime, he hopes those who have already received their new, safer stoves are pleased.
"I'm hoping those people enjoy their stoves," he said.
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