Canada Invests in Indigenous Participation in the Forestry Sector in Yukon
News release
December 7, 2018 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Natural Resources Canada
Canada's forest sector continues to be an important generator of jobs in communities across the country, including rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This is why the Government of Canada is working with Indigenous peoples to ensure that they participate in — and benefit from — natural resource projects.
The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resource today announced a $645,000 investment in two Indigenous forestry projects in Yukon that will create jobs and boost the local economy.
The first investment of $595,000 helped the Teslin Tlingit Council purchase biomass wood chip boilers for the community. The project is part of a larger initiative, supported by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), which reduces reliance on expensive non-renewable heating fuels and helps create jobs by installing direct heating systems.
The second investment of $50,000 is helping Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation find a solution for the lack of local seeds used in restoring lands impacted by the mining activities in the surrounding area. This project will enable the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNND) to complete a feasibility study and a business development plan for sourcing local native seeds. The project will employ traditional knowledge and practices and train community members on the best methods for the collection, transportation, cleaning and sorting of seeds.
Both projects were co-funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Forestry Initiative and Indigenous Services Strategic Partnerships Initiative, both of which create opportunities for Indigenous communities in the forest sector.
Quotes
“These initiatives will directly benefit the communities by creating economic opportunities, jobs and greener energy solutions. Our government is proud to support these business efforts, and I congratulate both partners for leading the way in forest sustainability and providing eco-friendly development solutions.”
Larry Bagnell,
Member of Parliament for Yukon
“Indigenous Services Canada is proud to support the Teslin Tlingit Council and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative, which will support additional economic development potential. Our government knows that clean energy and the economy go hand in hand, and this is a great example of First Nation communities and Indigenous-led businesses leading the way.”
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
“The Teslin Tlingit Council and the community of Teslin Yukon are proud to have been sponsored by NRCan in our community's clean energy biomass project. Teslin's biomass project, which is fueled predominantly by the community's waste wood is providing local opportunities in the forestry sector and in the professional trades. The 13 large buildings connected to the biomass district heating network, including the Teslin School, will now be able to avoid burning heating fuel which is estimated to be about 100,000 litres per year. Teslin looks forward to continuing to find innovative and locally inspired solutions to energy, climate change and community economic development.”
Blair Travis Hogan
Executive Councillor, Teslin Tlingit Council
“Yukon mine site reclamation guidelines encourage the use of native seed mixes for site restoration. However, a reliable supply of local seeds needs to be developed to meet the need. The Government of Canada IFI investment is a foundational step that will enable the Nacho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation (NNDDC) to examine potential solutions for the lack of local seed sources used in restoring lands impacted by mining and other activities within the First Nation of Nacho Nyäk Dun’s Traditional Territory. This forward-looking funding opportunity will be used to complete a feasibility study and a business development plan for sourcing local native seeds while looking at setting up a state-of-the-art seed bank in Mayo, Yukon.”
Greg Finnegan, Ph.D.
CEO, Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation
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Contacts
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca
Vanessa Adams
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
343-543-7645
Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca
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