SHAREpower is an Indigenous-led energy cooperative in Parry Sound-Muskoka empowering households to reduce energy costs, embrace renewables, and build resilient, self-determined communities.
Reclaiming Control Over Energy Systems
Energy touches every part of our lives from cooking and heating to lighting and transportation, yet for many communities, access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy is limited, often leaving residents dependent on external systems and fossil fuels.
At Odenaansan we believe that true resilience begins when communities reclaim control over their energy systems.
SHAREpower: Building Energy Sovereignty in Parry Sound-Muskoka
In Parry Sound-Muskoka, the SHAREpower initiative is putting this belief into practice. Led locally by Steph Romaniuk, a community educator, naturalist, and environmental studies professor, the project is building a locally governed, Indigenous-led energy cooperative.
The Goal
The goal is simple but profound: empower households to reduce energy costs, invest in renewable infrastructure, and collectively create a more resilient community.
Comprehensive Energy Assessments
SHAREpower begins with individual households. Every participating home receives a comprehensive energy assessment, identifying areas of retrofits such as:
- Insulation
- Window upgrades
- Air sealing
- Modern electrical systems
Significant Energy Savings
These upgrades not only reduce energy use by 50-75%, but also generate savings that are reinvested into the cooperative for broader community development projects.
The Collective Approach: A Unified Utility System
What makes SHAREpower unique is its collective approach. Rather than treating each household in isolation, the project connects participants into a unified utility system, enabling them to:
- Pool resources
- Share expertise
- Access funding and technical support from pioneers of green energy in Canada
This collective model turns individual homeowners into active stakeholders, people who are empowered to shape the energy landscape of their own community.
Economic and Cultural Renewal
By taking this approach, Parry Sound-Muskoka is not only reducing its reliance on fossil fuels but also creating a platform for economic and cultural renewal. The cooperative model opens opportunities for:
- Green job training
- Youth engagement
- Learning hubs where community members can gain skills in energy management, renewable technology, and sustainability
It is a holistic effort, connecting technical knowledge with local governance, cultural values, and social equity.
Indigenous-Led Development Frameworks
SHAREpower also illustrates how Indigenous-led development frameworks can guide modern sustainability initiatives. Decisions are made with consultation, respect, and local input, ensuring that the community sets its priorities and safeguards its sovereignty.
In doing so, Parry Sound-Muskoka demonstrates that energy is more than a utility, it is a tool for social, economic, and environmental transformation.
Meaningful Community Benefits
The cooperative is still in its early stages, but it promises meaningful community benefits:
- A stimulated economy
- Reduced environmental impact
- An empowered community with a strengthened sense of shared responsibility and community pride
Together, these outcomes reflect Odenaansan’s belief that lasting change grows from within communities and leaves no one behind.
Conclusion: Creating Paths Toward Minobimaadiziwin
SHAREpower is more than a technical project, it is an example of how communities can take control of their own resources, build resilience and create paths towards the good life ‘minobimaadziwin’. By combining Indigenous knowledge, modern energy expertise and collective action, Odenaansan is showing a way forward that is both practical and deeply rooted in culture.
