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Government of Canada Announces Funding for Clean and Reliable Energy in First Nations and Inuit Communities

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THUNDER BAY, ON, March 18, 2025 /CNW/ – Indigenous and remote communities across Canada are leading the way in prioritizing cleaner, more affordable and more-reliable energy sources as they continue to experience some of the deepest impacts of climate change. Investing in community-led clean energy solutions in Indigenous communities enables energy security, reconciliation, self-determination and economic development.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, the Honourable Patty Hajdu and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree announced over $11 million in funding mainly through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program, which will support fifteen clean energy projects in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

This funding will support the development of a range of community-led clean energy initiatives in Northern and remote Indigenous communities, such as:

forest biomass and bioenergy systems;solar photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems;capacity building, feasibility and front-end engineering and design studies; andenergy efficiency and building retrofits

By opting for cleaner forms of energy, communities can reduce their reliance on diesel while saving money.

As Canada and the world increase their use of cheaper and less-polluting forms of energy, the Government of Canada is stepping up to support rural and remote communities that want to reduce their reliance on imported diesel and are leading their own clean energy solutions. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting community-led clean energy projects that increase participation, ownership and decision making by Indigenous Peoples.

Quotes

“I am pleased to see community-led projects contribute to building long-term resilience and prosperity within Indigenous communities. Clean energy solutions will ultimately lead to increased economic empowerment, improved health and lower energy costs for households. Each project contributes to the broader goal of creating sustainable communities and a thriving economy.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“The path toward a sustainable future must be Indigenous-led and anchored in Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. By supporting community-led clean energy projects in Northern and remote communities, we are supporting First Nations and Inuit as they drive sustainable economic growth and protect the land for future generations.”

The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

“Every community deserves access to reliable, sustainable energy to power their homes, schools and businesses. By working with Indigenous partners through Wah-ila-toos, we’re supporting Indigenous-led clean energy solutions that create good jobs and build stronger communities. These investments put decision-making power where it belongs — in the hands of communities themselves. Together, we’re building a cleaner, more sustainable future while advancing economic reconciliation and self-determination.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

Launched in 2018, the CERRC program was allocated $220 million over eight years to reduce diesel reliance for heat and power in Indigenous and remote communities.CERRC received an additional $233 million over five years through Budget 2021.This investment also introduced the Indigenous and Remote Communities Clean Energy Hub in 2022, later renamed Wah-ila-toos, designed to streamline the delivery of federal clean energy funding programs.The CERRC program has supported over 190 projects nationally, including capacity-building initiatives, large capital projects, innovation projects and bioheat projects.Wah-ila-toos is guided by an Indigenous Council that provides advice and direction on programs, policy and engagement and is governed by a Governing Board that includes representatives from the Indigenous Council and the federal government.The Indigenous Council recently released the “Kinship and Prosperity” report to help guide the transition to clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities, which provided recommendations to power more Indigenous, rural and remote communities.The report affirms that Indigenous Peoples are leaders and knowledge keepers and that they have the skills and experiences needed to establish a thriving economy while living in reciprocity with the environment.In addition to Indigenous Services Canada’s role within Wah-ila-toos, Budget 2024 renewed Strategic Partnerships Initiative’s Clean Energy funding, a $36-million investment over three years, building on its initial Budget 2021 investment. This funding supports five regional clean energy initiatives in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Atlantic Canada to advance Indigenous economic participation within clean energy projects.

Associated links

Backgrounder: Government of Canada Announces Funding for Clean and Reliable Energy in First Nations and Inuit CommunitiesIndigenous Council Final ReportWah-ila-toosClean Energy for Rural and Remote CommunitiesIndigenous Off-Diesel InitiativeNorthern REACHE Program2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Cabana Partners with VA in Pilot to Expand Anonymous, Drop-In Support for Veterans Through Local Community Partners

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Pilot unites VA’s Mission Daybreak and SSG Fox Grant programs to deliver private, flexible support outside traditional healthcare settings.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded Cabana an initial one-year pilot contract—with the opportunity for a second year—to lead a community-based suicide prevention initiative in partnership with Upstate Warrior Solution and Veterans Bridge Home in North and South Carolina.

The pilot brings together two major VA investments to connect tech and peer support with trusted community outreach.

The pilot brings together two major VA investments—Cabana’s selection as a Mission Daybreak awardee and UWS/VBH’s roles as inaugural SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program grantees—to connect technology-enabled peer support with trusted community-based outreach.

“This is a first-of-its-kind effort to bridge VA’s innovation and community-based suicide prevention priorities,” said Dr. Nick Armstrong, Cabana’s Head of Public Sector. “We’re testing how to reach Veterans earlier, through trusted local partners and supportive peer connection.”

Referred Veterans will access Cabana’s anonymous, moderated support groups designed to reduce barriers and preserve privacy. All participants are cameras off, use aliases, and may enable voice masking features.

The pilot’s day-to-day implementation is managed by Chris Morris, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel and Cabana’s Program Manager.

“You don’t always know who’s struggling—and sometimes, it’s the smallest conversations that open the door to bigger steps. I’m honored to continue to serve fellow Veterans, especially those who may not even know what kind of help they’re ready for. Cabana can be that first step.”

The initiative launches this month in Upstate South Carolina and Greater Charlotte, NC. Pending progress, it will expand in year-two to three (3) additional SSG Fox grantee communities.

Learn more and access the full announcement: https://www.yourcabana.com/news/cabana-launches-community-based-suicide-prevention-pilot-in-partnership-with-va-and-local-veteran-organizations

About Cabana™
Cabana is a leading, modern mental health provider offering confidential, tech-enabled support solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities. Through live, professionally moderated group sessions, evidence-based content, and adaptable wellness tools, Cabana helps individuals proactively manage their mental health. Our mission is clear: to make mental health care more accessible through technology and human connection.

Media Contact
Nick Armstrong, Ph.D.
Head of Public Sector, Cabana
nick@cabanahealth.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cabana-partners-with-va-in-pilot-to-expand-anonymous-drop-in-support-for-veterans-through-local-community-partners-302456560.html

SOURCE Cabana

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Orange 142 Releases Best Practices for Foot Traffic Attribution as Real-World Visits Rebound

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New guide reveals how today’s smartest marketers are turning digital ads into real-world results with next-gen attribution strategies

AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Orange 142, a division of Direct Digital Holdings (NASDAQ: DRCT) and a leader in digital marketing for mid-market brands, today released a guide demystifying foot traffic attribution, a fast-evolving capability that helps marketers connect digital ad exposure to real-world store visits.

With foot traffic rebounding across categories like grocery and retail, understanding how marketing drives in-store behavior has become more critical than ever. An April report highlights a surge in consumer footfall, with Albertsons’ recent 6% increase in visits demonstrating the renewed value of physical retail spaces in a post-pandemic landscape.

“In an environment where every dollar of ad spend is scrutinized, foot traffic attribution gives marketers the confidence to link digital engagement to offline results,” said Lindsey Wilkes, SVP, Business Development at Orange 142. “This guide is designed to help brands future-proof their strategies by mastering both the challenges and opportunities of foot traffic measurement.”

Tackling Attribution Challenges Head-On
Despite its promise, foot traffic attribution is not without complexity. The guide explores key challenges, including fragmented device data, evolving privacy regulations like CCPA and GDPR, and the technical limitations of geofencing accuracy in busy retail zones such as malls or shared shopping centers.

Orange 142 emphasizes best practices in user consent, data minimization, anonymization, and cross-device transparency to ensure data collection remains compliant and customer-friendly. For example, rather than tracking individuals, marketers are encouraged to analyze aggregated trends that provide actionable insights without compromising privacy.

The Rise of AI, Wearables, and Smart Devices
Emerging technologies are unlocking new layers of insight. Orange 142’s guide explores how AI-powered models, connected cars, wearables, and smart home devices transform attribution accuracy. These tools go beyond smartphone-based tracking, offering richer, multi-touch insights into the modern consumer journey, from a smart speaker voice command to an eventual store visit.

In-store kiosks and Bluetooth beacons close the loop, capturing post-visit behaviors like product lookups, QR scans, or loyalty signups, turning store visits into measurable, optimizable conversion events.

Best Practices for Brands Ready to Act
The guide concludes with a detailed best practices section, offering actionable tips for SMBs and regional advertisers looking to implement foot traffic attribution effectively. Marketers are encouraged to:

Focus on localized campaigns with geofencing or DOOH adsUse time-sensitive offers to create clear attribution windowsChoose interactive ad formats like voice-activated prompts or mobile location-based adsEducate consumers about the value exchange of shared dataAvoid the “creepy factor” by prioritizing transparency, subtlety, and context.

To download the Foot Traffic Attribution eBook or explore additional Emerging Channels resources, visit: https://orange142.com/emerging-channels-hub

About Orange 142

Orange 142 is a digital marketing and advertising company with offices across the US. We service marketers and agencies. We are part of Direct Digital Holding, the ninth Black-owned company to go public.

We help marketers of all sizes grow their reach and revenue through data-driven media strategies. We also partner with agencies and execute campaigns on behalf of their clients.

Our team of experts deeply understands the digital landscape and the latest advertising and marketing technologies. We work closely with our clients to develop and execute custom advertising and marketing campaigns that meet specific goals.

We are committed to providing our clients with the highest service and transparency. Open communication and collaboration are essential to the success of every advertising and marketing initiative.

About Direct Digital Holdings

Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Travel & Tourism, Energy, Healthcare, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.

At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”

For more information, visit www.directdigitalholdings.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orange-142-releases-best-practices-for-foot-traffic-attribution-as-real-world-visits-rebound-302456733.html

SOURCE Direct Digital Holdings

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Cecilian Partners Launches XO KISS, Expanding Its Residential OS™ Platform to Meet Developers at Every Stage

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XO KISS is purpose-built for developers who need powerful tools and simple workflows.

NEW HOPE, Pa., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cecilian Partners, a leader in proptech innovation, today announced the launch of XO KISS—a property development platform purpose-built for growing community developers. Part of Cecilian’s Residential OS™, XO KISS delivers streamlined inventory management, real-time reporting, and a faster digital map experience.

“Our customers asked for something faster, simpler, and just as reliable. XO KISS is our answer.”

XO KISS joins Cecilian’s award-winning suite of products, including The XO®, the industry’s definitive operating platform for larger master-planned communities. Together, XO KISS and The XO meet developers wherever they are on their growth journey, offering the right level of functionality, insight, and support for every stage.

“Our philosophy has always been simple: listen to our customers,” said Philip Worland, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Cecilian Partners. “We heard that while The XO is a powerful workflow engine, not every developer needs the full depth of functionality—especially those not dealing with anti-monotony. Our customers asked for something faster, simpler, and just as reliable. XO KISS is our answer.”

Data-Driven by Design

Drawing on years of collaboration with homebuilders and developers, Cecilian Partners has a deep understanding of how teams use, share, and manipulate critical data. XO KISS addresses common pain points by eliminating reliance on spreadsheets, closing collaboration gaps, and providing teams with 24/7 access to real-time reporting and insights.

XO KISS redefines the developer toolkit with:

Next-gen inventory management: no more spreadsheets, just smart, scalable controlReal-time intelligence: automated reports and live dashboards for faster decisionsPlug-and-play builder connectivity: seamless integration with builder systemsA lightning-fast, mobile-first Homefinder experience: built to engage today’s buyer

Built with the same enterprise-grade security and architectural rigor as The XO, XO KISS ensures even the simplest operations have a future-ready foundation. As needs grow, XO KISS customers can easily scale into the full capabilities of The XO and other Residential OS solutions without switching vendors, retraining teams, or compromising data integrity.

Meeting a Critical Market Need

While some proptech companies offer stripped-down solutions, XO KISS stands apart by combining simplicity with true scalability, data security, and best-in-class customer support.

“There’s a significant segment of developers who don’t need all the complexity of larger platforms…yet,” Worland added. “We built XO KISS to meet them where they are, while giving them the confidence that as their communities, business models, and needs evolve, our platform—and our partnership—will be right there with them.”

XO KISS will be available to select new and existing clients beginning June 30, 2025.

About Cecilian Partners

Cecilian Partners brings data-driven innovation to residential real estate development and homebuying. The company’s Residential OS™ suite offers end-to-end digital solutions for homebuilders and developers, including the industry’s first lot banking platform, interactive 3D maps, patented property development software, digital marketing tools, and an all-in-one app for community management and resident engagement. Learn more at cecilianpartners.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cecilian-partners-launches-xo-kiss-expanding-its-residential-os-platform-to-meet-developers-at-every-stage-302456656.html

SOURCE Cecilian Partners

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