First Nations

We believe in the power of partnerships. We also believe we have a responsibility, whenever possible, to help create opportunities that can benefit all Yukoners, including the territory's First Nations citizens.

Mayo B Project

As part of the Mayo B project, Yukon Energy worked with the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun (NND) to reach a project agreement. The agreement provides the NND with a long term source of income through an investment opportunity of a few million dollars.

As well, Yukon Energy contributed $100,000 to NND when the project agreement was signed in the spring of 2010. Another $100,000 will be paid to the First Nation in 2011. If regulators approve Yukon Energy's request for the use of additional water on Mayo Lake, we will pay Na-cho Nyak Dun an additional $800,000.

The construction company for Mayo B, Kiewit Sons Infrastructure, has subcontracted several components of the work and documented benefits to NND were required for each subcontract. The benefts include:

  • priority hire to qualified NND citizens
  • percentage of profits or revenue to NND's Development Corporation
  • where appropriate, a fixed dollar amount for equipment and labour for use on NND projects
  • an opportunity to acquire equipment when the project is complete
  • an NND Liaison hired for the duration of the project as a point of contact between Kiewit and NND members looking for work or employed at the project

Mayo-Dawson Transmission Line 

When the decision was made to build the transmission line from the Mayo hydro facilities to Dawson City, Yukon Energy signed a benefit agreement with the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun and the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation to ensure local employment and business opportunities.

The Na-cho Nyak Dun Development Corporation (the business arm of the First Nation) worked with a Mayo company to form Silver Trail Contracting. In partnership with a Whitehorse firm, Silver Trail Contracting won a major clearing and burning contract for the project.

Training Program

Training dollars also flow from the Mayo to Dawson Transmission Line Benefit Agreement. Annually, Yukon Energy gives the Na-cho Nyak Dun and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nations $15,000 each for apprenticeship and training opportunities. This money is going a long way in helping the First Nations achieve their training needs and find meaningful employment.

Carmacks-Stewart Transmission Project

Part of our work towards getting the necessary approvals for the Carmacks-Stewart Crossing transmission line involved meaningful and on-going consultations with the Northern Tutchone First Nations, project area residents, Renewable Resource Council members, government departments and other members of the public. We worked closely with them to select the route for the proposed transmission line. With their input, the route design was refined to avoid – wherever possible -- wetlands, traplines and associated camps/cabins.

Yukon Energy also reached a project agreement with the Northern Tutchone First Nations, which addressed such issues as land use and socio-economic benefits for their members. The First Nations partnered with other companies to do the line clearing and construction.

Yukon Energy entered into a timber salvage agreement with the Yukon government and Northern Tutchone First Nations that allowed for more than 5,600 cubic metres of timber to be salvaged using environmental best practices.