CanNor-10-050
Whitehorse, Yukon – October 27, 2010 – Yukon First Nations will be more prepared to participate and benefit from opportunities in the resource development sector.
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), announced the investment of just under $210,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The funding includes $110,272 to assist First Nations participation in the proposed Alaska natural gas pipeline project. The Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition will lead this project. In addition, the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun will receive $98,050 to negotiate a Socio-Economic Partnership Agreement with Victoria Gold Corp which has mining operations within the Na-cho Nyak Dun traditional territory.
“These investments are further examples of our commitment to enable Yukon First Nations to make informed decisions about the development of the resource industry,” said Minister Duncan, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor of Métis and Non-Status Indians.
“The long term benefits such as increased employment opportunities from these projects will help to build a better future for Aboriginal people and communities of Yukon,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health.
The Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition will use the investment to conduct a workshop that will allow First Nations, governments and industry to review and assess the outcome of implementing the guidelines they developed earlier this year.
The funding for the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun will support the development of a Socio-Economic Partnership Agreement between the First Nation and Victoria Gold Corp. The Agreement will ensure open communications between all parties as well cover important issues for Na-cho Nyak Dun citizens.
"The First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun is experiencing significant mining activity in our traditional territory and it falls to our Government to negotiate fair and equitable economic opportunity agreements with these companies. This CanNor funding to negotiate with Victoria Gold levels the playing field and will assist us in getting the capacity we need to ensure benefits for future generations," said Chief Simon Mervyn.
"The guidelines project is crucial to Yukon First Nations in their effort to develop capacity for their citizens," said Ruth Massie, Chair of the Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition. A thorough understanding of these guidelines is essential as a tool for all communities, external agencies, including industry, involved with resource development projects. We look forward to all First Nations, Governments and industry's active participation at the upcoming Guidelines Implementation Workshop to be held on January 26-28, 2011."
These investments were made possible through CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.
SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor, which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
Backgrounder – CanNor Supports Capacity Building for Yukon First Nations
Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan and Canada's Northern Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), Yukon Region
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849
Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition
Pearl Callaghan
Operations Leader
867-456-8330
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun
Anne Leckie
Executive Director
867-996-2265 ext 209
