Building an Indigenous-Owned Renewable Energy Map and Toolkit

Unify is working alongside the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) to co-develop a decision-support and learning tool to help Indigenous communities assess renewable energy and storage options.

The work is being shaped through engagement with Economic Development and Community Energy Officers, along with community partners across Canada. Early discussions have focused on the challenges communities face when evaluating technologies, navigating funding programs, and making procurement decisions. Cando has identified the need for accessible information that reflects northern and remote conditions and supports informed decision-making before committing to major investments.

Working with Cando, Unify is designing a platform that allows users to compare technology options based on factors such as climate, access, safety, scale, and local operations capacity. The tool combines an interactive map of renewable energy projects across Canada, connected to insight on the implementation pathways behind each project. The goal is to help communities understand trade-offs and identify options that align with their priorities.

This includes research on both established and emerging energy and storage technologies, along with input from engineering firms working in rural and remote contexts. The focus is on ensuring the tool reflects real operating conditions and can be used directly by leadership and staff.

The tool is designed to strengthen internal capacity–supporting communities to lead their own energy planning, improve funding readiness, and make decisions on their own terms. Over time, it can expand to include additional technologies, resources, and training materials as a shared national platform.