Brokenhead Ojibway Nation — Housing & Clean Energy

Location: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Treaty 1 Territory, Manitoba

Project Type: Housing Retrofits, Clean Energy, Workforce Development Investment

Outcomes Purchasing Partners: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Efficiency Manitoba

Timeline: 2025–2028

Status: Active

Community Challenge: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (BON), a Treaty 1 First Nation located 100 km northeast of Winnipeg, is addressing the dual challenge of energy inefficiency and rising utility costs across its housing stock. Many homes are aging, under-insulated, and expensive to heat—placing financial and health burdens on community members, particularly Elders and vulnerable households. At the same time, the Nation has identified a need for sustainable, local employment opportunities that support long-term economic self-determination.

The Solution: This project is structured as a Community-Driven Outcomes Contract (CDOC), co-designed by Raven Outcomes and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. It will support the installation of 100 ground-source heat pumps and targeted energy efficiency retrofits in community homes. These interventions aim to lower energy costs, reduce emissions, and improve housing quality. The project also funds workforce training and creates meaningful employment for up to 10 community members in clean energy installation and maintenance.At the heart of the project is BON Energy, a newly launched, community-owned social enterprise that will deliver the work. BON Energy is focused on building Indigenous-led infrastructure capacity across Treaty 1 and beyond.

Anticipated Outcomes:

•100 homes to receive geothermal heat pumps and retrofits

•Up to 12 community members trained and employed in energy efficiency work

•$3.2M projected savings in utility costs over system lifespan

•$3.4M in avoided greenhouse gas emissions

•$1.6M in wages through community employment

•$90K in technical training investments

•$7.85M in outcomes purchasing value

Partners:

•Brokenhead Ojibway Nation

•BON Energy GP Ltd.

•Efficiency Manitoba

•Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

•Laufer Enterprises (technical advisor)

•Raven Outcomes

Why It Matters: This project represents a major step forward in community-led climate action and energy sovereignty. It advances BON’s vision of a net-positive energy future while creating long-term benefits in housing, employment, and economic resilience. The establishment of BON Energy as an Indigenous-owned energy provider also lays the foundation for broader regional impact, enabling replication across neighboring Nations.