The Da'naxda'xw Nation is a First Nation government in northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Its main community is in Alert Bay, in the Queen Charlotte Strait region. The Da’naxda’xw First Nation is an amalgamation of the Da’naxda’xw and Awaetlala tribes of Knight Inlet. The main village of the Da’naxda’xw – Tsatsisnukwomi is situated at Dead Point on Harbledown Island. The village is in Indian Channel and approximately 25 Kilometers East of Alert Bay on the West coast of British Columbia.

In general Harbledown Island is only accessible by boat or water taxi. Common departure points from Vancouver Island are: Port McNeill, Alder Bay, and Port Hardy. One could also depart by boat from surrounding areas such as Telegraph Cove and Alert Bay. Travel is about 45 minutes south-east of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island.

The total population of the community is 227 of which 19 people live on First Nations land and 208 live off First Nations land.

On-reserve, remote community of 8 homes, homes close together on shoreline, families

Da'naxda'xw/ Awaetlala First Nation is negotiating independently in the B.C Treaty Commission process.

Useful energy info:

All electric, with one house wood stove.
Attempt at solar microgrid now defunct after fire, millions of ISC funding used (Global Microgrid was installed).
Diesel generators with solar integration, but panels built in forest facing trees in area that doesn't receive much sun.

Community Vision, Values & Goals

Key contacts

Past Projects

Project Summary

DA’NAXDA’XW HEATING SYSTEM (June 2019): Community Power was commissioned by Da’naxda’xw to survey alternative heating options that would be appropriate to implement in the community. Homes in Da’naxda’xw are currently being heated using electric resistance heating. Since electricity is produced using a diesel generator operated by the community, the financial cost and environmental impact of using electricity for heating is undesirable.

Energy Management Initiative, Phase 1 (June 2017): In this first phase of the Energy Management Initiative, Community Power conducted an energy savings opportunity analysis for Da’naxda’xw Nation. Subsequent phases anticipate the implementation of the recommendations of this report after input from Da’naxda’xw First Nation. In this phase we:

Worked with Da’naxda’xw leadership and the community to ensure that there was a common understanding of the purpose of the initiative.
Conducted energy savings and health and safety related assessments on community homes.
Performed a lighting assessment of civic street lighting.
Installed energy monitoring instrumentation on homes and other accessible electrical loads to provide demand and consumption data for load forecasting and verification of future energy savings measures.