First Nations Partnerships

We believe in the power of partnerships to help create opportunities that can benefit all Yukoners, including Yukon First Nations Citizens. We recognize First Nations as energy proponents, partners, and investors. First Nations participation in assessments, permitting, and approval stages is critical to the success of any new project in the Yukon. We also recognize we have a responsibility to meet obligations under the Umbrella Final Agreement and individual Yukon First Nation Land Claim Agreements. 

The following projects exemplify the current partnerships we have with Yukon First Nations:

Whitehorse Relicensing Project

• Throughout the water use licensing process, we have had discussions with Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
• We have also established technical and oversight groups with representatives from each of these First Nation governments to help guide and provide input into the project.
• We are in the process of agreement negotiations with two First Nations and hope to have this finalized before the expiration of our existing water licence. 

Mayo Relicensing Project

• Throughout the water use licensing process, we have had discussions with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. 
• We have also established technical and oversight groups with representatives from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and the Yukon government to help guide and provide input to the project. 
• We are in the process of agreement negotiations with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and hope to have this finalized before the expiration of our existing water licence. 

Aishihik Relicensing Project

• In July 2022, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), the Yukon government, and Yukon Energy signed a suite of five agreements to ensure economic reconciliation, environmental protection and shared decision-making for the Aishihik Hydro Generating Station.
• CAFN and Yukon Energy took a new, more collaborative approach with regard to this water licence renewal. We worked in partnership on proposed terms and conditions for a new licence and signed a protocol agreement for the co-management of the license renewal process.
• Together, we established a steering committee (one member each from CAFN and Yukon Energy) to oversee the work and provide high-level guidance, and an advisory committee (of CAFN, Yukon Energy, various government departments and agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations) that makes recommendations on technical issues such as the process for collecting baseline information, lake operational alternatives, effects assessment, etc.
• CAFN citizens provide input to this group through a Champagne Aishihik Community Advisory Committee.

Battery Energy Storage System Project

• In February 2019, Yukon Energy announced the location for the Battery Energy Storage System project in Whitehorse, on Kwanlin Dün First Nation Settlement Land. The project site is located on the overlapping Traditional Territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC) and was identified by KDFN for future development.

• Yukon Energy, TKC, and KDFN's development corporation, Chu Níikwän LP, have signed a Term Sheet outlining Yukon Energy's commitment to provide investment, procurement, contracting, and partnership opportunities to both First Nations as part of the project.

• These Agreements will come into force upon the commissioning and operation of the battery project. 

Mayo to McQuesten Transmission Line Replacement Project

• On November 23, 2019, Yukon Energy and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun signed a benefits agreement that:
  • Provides a cash legacy benefit to the First Nation;
  • Creates First Nations procurement opportunities with a 20% weighting for First Nations benefits in each Request for Proposals (RFP);
  • Enables the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation to provide input into the RFP terms and evaluation criteria;
  • Provides for one local First Nations citizen to be employed as a First Nations Wildlife Monitor during periods of construction; and
  • Makes salvageable wood accessible.

Whitehorse Diesel to Natural Gas Conversion Project

• Yukon Energy and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation signed a Co-operation Agreement as part of the LNG generation project in Whitehorse and the Yukon government and Kwanlin Dün finalized an Investment Agreement that allows the First Nation to invest up to 50 percent of the value of the project.
• Yukon Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council to meet the requirements of the Yukon Oil and Gas Agreement. Benefits to Ta’an citizens included support for the Fox Lake Chinook Salmon Re-stocking Program, development of a new website for the First Nation, and funding for Ta’an training and scholarships.

Mayo B Project 

• Yukon Energy worked with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun (FNNND) to reach a Mayo B project agreement. The agreement provides the First Nation with a long term source of income through an investment opportunity.
• Yukon Energy also made a cash contribution to the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun.

Carmacks to Stewart Transmission Project

• Part of our work towards getting the necessary approvals for the Carmacks to 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.

Mayo to Dawson Transmission Line 

• Yukon Energy signed a benefit agreement with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation to ensure local employment, training and business opportunities.