In late August, we had the privilege of visiting the Fort Chipewyan community in northern Alberta, a region known for its rich Indigenous culture and its geographical isolation. The community is accessible only by ice roads in the winter or by air in the summer, which presents unique challenges for energy efficiency and infrastructure development.

The Heat Loss House (HLH) is an innovative educational tool designed to teach students and community members about energy efficiency, heat loss, and sustainable building practices. Developed by Cedric Pepelea, the HLH emerged from a desire to create a hands-on, engaging experience that could make complex energy concepts accessible to learners of all ages.

Cedric’s work with Indigenous communities in Canada began through his engineering studies and community engagement projects related to energy systems and greenhouse production. Through empowering work with organizations like Focus Forward for Indigenous Youth and Indigenous Clean Energy, working alongside Indigenous communities can contribute to meaningful and lasting positive change.