since 2008 and is passionate about a need
to return to ancestral roots by reviving and
supporting the language, practices and
traditions of the T’Sou-ke people. He feels
equally strong about the need to explore
forms of alternative energy, not just for the
current membership but for future genera-
tions — part of a T’Sou-ke custom to “look
ahead seven generations” or planning 100
years into the future.
“The demonstration project that we did,
we did it for our children, and for our chil-
dren not born yet,” Chief Planes explained.
“Having that resource for future genera-
tions is so important. When we go to the
other side, we’ve left something behind
for the future generations to have that
they can use and they’ll be able to do the
same as well.”
That demonstration project launched in
2009 was a turning point for the T’Sou-ke
Nation, allowing the village to generate
its own power through a 440-panel solar
photovoltaic system. Hot water solar pan-
els were installed on close to half of the
reserve’s buildings, leading to a surplus
4
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FEBRUARY 2017
