FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, BC – October 25, 2010 – The Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference welcomed a total of 150 speakers, session chairs, delegates and exhibitors from across Canada and the United States to the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel to take part in its inaugural conference from October 12 to October 14, 2010.

Conference delegates came from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon in Canada; and from New York and Oklahoma in the United States.

“Judging by the strong attendance and tremendous interaction between speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates we certainly achieved what we set out to do,” said National Aboriginal Energy and Power Corporation (NAEPA) president and chief executive officer Bob Joseph. “The conference did indeed Set the Tableand our theme definitely resonated with delegates who actively participated in all aspects of our inagural event.”

“Setting the Table” was the theme of the 2010 inaugural conference and sessions featured best practices and positive examples of Aboriginal Peoples, governments and the power- and energy-related sectors working together with a common vision.

“There has already been considerable interest expressed in our second annual conference,” reports NAEPA chairman and corporate secretary Dan Jepsen. “Planning is already underway for the 2011 annual conference and news on the dates and location will be posted to our website, and on our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts, in the near future.”

“We would like to acknowledge and thank our conference co-chairs - Serpent River First Nation Chief Isadore Day and Kinder Morgan Canada president Ian Anderson – for their valuable insights, guidance and recommendations,” added NAEPA senior vice-president Jerry Asp.

“Our sponsors and supporters contributed in many ways to the success of our inaugural conference too and we sincerely appreciate their support and involvement,” said Jerry. “We look forward to an ongoing and positive relationship with our entire Sponsor Family.” 

Conference Sponsors included Hydro One Networks Inc, Kinder Morgan Canada, Northern Ontario Heritage Development Corporation, Ontario Power Generation, TD Bank Financial Group, Terasen Gas and TransAlta Corporation. Organizing Supporters included Breakthrough Communications, Clean Energy BC, NationTalk and Plutonic Power Corporation.

Click here to view the 2010 Conference speaker and session chair biographies (opens in new window).

Click here to view the list of communities, companies and organizations that attended the 2010 Conference.

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For more information on the Association, contact Bob Joseph toll-free on 1 888 986-4055,  or on 1 604 619-4720, or by email to bob@naepa.ca

For sponsorship information on the 2011 Conference, contact Ian Tait toll-free on 1 888 986-4055 Extension 3, or by email to ian@naepa.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, Ontario – October 13, 2010 – Chief Patrick Waddilove of the Munsee-Delaware First Nation brought the whole tree with him and handed out five-year-old “cookies” to delegates attending the Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel today.

Chief Waddilove brought a 6.4 m (20 foot) genetically modified poplar tree to the conference to demonstrate how fast the trees grow in their capacity as a carbon sink. The five-year-old poplar was cut into slices and handed out to delegates and passersby.

Pictured (L to R): TD Bank Financial Group Chief Environmental Officer Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Patrick Waddilove and Luke Waddilove hold poplar cookies.

Click here to view a press release on the Trees for Biomass project.

Photo courtesy of Ming Pao Daily News (Toronto).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Nation Plants Fast Growing Hardwoods As Carbon Sink and for Biofuel

Toronto, Ontario – October 11, 2010 – Most presenters bring pages of speaking notes with them when they arrive at a conference.  But Chief Waddilove of the Munsee-Delaware First Nation is bringing the whole tree with him when he arrives at the Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference on Wednesday, October 13th at 3:00 pm at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

Chief Waddilove, and forester Horst Lein of Tree Logic, will bring a 6.4 m (20 foot) genetically modified poplar to the conference to demonstrate how fast these trees grow in their capacity as a carbon sink. They will cut the poplar into slices outside the conference and hand them hand out to delegates and passersby to raise awareness about the important role trees play in sequestering  carbon dioxide to fight global warming.

The Munsee-Delaware First Nation is planting 77,000 fast growing hardwoods to be harvested for biomass. This carbon forest is the first in Canada to be developed under Tree Canada’s “Forest and Urban Tree Carbon Project Protocol.” It is estimated that these trees, in a mere 31 years, will sequester 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide after which they will be harvested for biofuel production. The trees, a hybrid poplar, will also cleanse the soil of pollutants and repress the spread of the invasive hawthorn tree.

The carbon forest initiative is a partnership between the Munsee-Delaware Nation, TD Bank Financial Group and Tree Canada. “We congratulate the Munsee-Delaware First Nation and Tree Canada on demonstrating the foresight and leadership to put this thinking into practice,” says Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environmental Officer, TD Bank Financial Group.

Chief Patrick Waddilove and Ms. Clarke-Whistler will speak about the Trees for Biomass initiative at the Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference on Wednesday, October 13th at 3:00 pm at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Osgoode Ballroom, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Click here to view the Conference speaker and session chair biographies (opens in new window).

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For additional conference information, media registration and to schedule intereviews, please contact: Bob Joseph at 1 604 619-4720 or Dan Jepsen at 1 604 818-7878.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto conference to explore how First Nation, Inuit and Métis can benefit from sustainable power projects

Vancouver, BC – October 08, 2010 – First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities are increasingly taking leadership roles in developing community-owned energy projects on their traditional lands. It is through capacity building and resource development that these communities can build a solid, sustainable economic foundation. Power projects provide much needed non-government revenue that can be invested in the community infrastructure and programs.

The Pic River First Nation has three hydroelectric generating stations – the most recent being the Twin Falls hydro electric plant which the community of 964 on and off reserve residents purchased in 2010. The Pic River First Nation also has been awarded development rights on two additional sites on their traditional waterways.

The community now has $400 million worth of renewable energy projects in various stages of development. Revenue from the hydro proceeds has been invested in a housing projects and education programs. These projects will displace nearly 188,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year of operation and generate enough power to meet the residential needs of 30,000 homes.

“Environmentally sustainable energy projects are one of the keys to opening the door to economic independence for Aboriginal communities,” says Bob Joseph, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association. Mr. Joseph is just one of many presenters participating in the Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference October 12-14 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel who will discuss how Aboriginal communities can benefit from partnerships in the burgeoning renewable energy industry.

The conference theme is “Setting the Table” and the goal is to bring together the deal makers – Aboriginal leaders, resource developers, financiers, regulators and legal experts. It is a unique opportunity for these groups to meet and build relationships that can lead to mutually beneficial energy and power agreements. 

Speakers include:

• Ian D. Anderson, President, Kinder Morgan Canada;
• Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini, Serpent River First Nation & Lake Huron Regional Grand Chief;
• Joe Heil, Director, Aboriginal Relations, Ontario Power Generation;
• Chief Patrick Waddilove, Munasee-Delaware Nation;
• Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environmental Officer, TD Bank Financial Group;
• Paul Kariya, Executive Director, Clean Energy Association of BC;
• Jack Blacksmith, President & Chairman, Cree Regional Economic Enterprises (CREEco);
• Peter Bettle, Vice President, Project Development, Transmission, Brookfield Renewable Power;
• Sid Quinn, shíshálh nation;
• Donald McInnes,Vice-Chair & CEO, Plutonic Power Corporation; and
• Peter Gregg, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Hydro One Networks Inc.

Click here to view the Conference speaker and session chair biographies (opens in new window).

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For additional conference information, media registration and to schedule intereviews, please contact: Bob Joseph at 1 604 619-4720 or Dan Jepsen at 1 604 818-7878.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calibre of 2010 Conference Speakers and Session Chairs attracting international interest

Vancouver, BC – October 07, 2010 - The calibre and expertise of speakers and session chairs presenting at next week’s 1st Annual Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference is attracting international interest from delegates, exhibitors and the media.

“We’ve been fielding calls and emails galore from North and South America, New Zealand and other locales,” reports National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association chairman and corporate secretary Dan Jepsen. “I’m delighted at the response and grateful to our respected conference speakers and session chairs for agreeing to present at our inaugural event.”

“There’s still time to register,” adds Dan. “Complete information is available on our website and I encourage people to act today and not miss attending what will be an information-packed and idea-generating event.”

Click here or on the image below to view the speaker and session chair biographies (opens in new window):

About the National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association

The National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association mission is to contribute to the advancement of economic development through support, facilitation, and promotion of an economically and environmentally sustainable Aboriginal energy and power sector. The Association will deliver an annual conference focused on the power production, transmission, and oil and gas sectors with a key focus on Aboriginal community engagement and business development. The annual conference will provide unique opportunities to share information and provide a broad scope of networking opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples, energy and power companies and governments. The annual conference will focus on the positive exchange of knowledge and information related to energy production, transmission, and oil and gas development and operation that balances social, economic and environmental needs through inclusive processes.

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Media contacts: Bob Joseph at 1 604 619-4720 or Dan Jepsen at 1 604 818-7878.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Inaugural Aboriginal Energy and Power Conference gaining  support and endorsement from sponsors

Vancouver, BC – October 05, 2010 - Business and government are showing strong strong support for the first annual Aboriginal Energy and Power conference taking place October 12 to 14 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“We are grateful to those sponsors who have come on board in support of our first annual conference,” says National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association president and chief executive officer Bob Joseph. “These companies share our belief that this event will help facilitate the advancement of economic development through an environmentally sustainable Aboriginal energy and power sector.”

Conference sponsors to date include:

Hydro One Networks Inc
Kinder Morgan Canada
Northern Ontario Heritage Development Corporation
Ontario Power Generation
TD Bank Financial Group
Terasen Gas
TransAlta

The two-day, national conference and trade show features speakers from the energy and power sector and  Aboriginal communities that have developed innovative, proactive partnerships with the energy sector.

For additional information, visit www.naepa.ca

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Media contacts: Bob Joseph at 1 604 619-4720 or Dan Jepsen at 1 604 818-7878.

Sponsorship contact: Ian Tait at 1 888 986-4055 Extension 3 or ian@naepa.ca