$1M CanNor investment looks to boost First Nations-led economy, tourism projects
Canada’s Northern Economic Development Agency is investing $1 million into three First Nation-led projects in Yukon, aimed at boosting the economy and supporting Indigenous culture in the region.
The funding will go toward projects that will revitalize infrastructure, boost tourism, and create much-needed training spaces for local artisans, Yukon MP Brendan Hanley said in the Friday announcement.
The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) will receive $370,000 over two years to go towards a sewing makerspace in the village of Haines Junction.
No one at CAFN could immediately be reached for comment on Monday, but in a statement, the chief pointed out that the new facility will allow artisans to further develop their skills
“In 2021, CAFN launched a pilot program with a focus on the creation of locally made parkas,” Barb Joe said. “Over the last few years, it has grown and evolved into a successful program and is in need of its own space.”
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai hailed the project as a step forward for local economies.
“The creation of supportive spaces for local artisans to connect with Elders, develop their skills and build their careers goes beyond supporting local economies – it strengthens community identity and pride through the reclamation of traditional practices and marketing of handmade goods,” he said.
The territorial government will contribute $250,000 to the initiative.
Promoting tourism, supporting youth job training
Meanwhile, the Carcross Tagish Limited Partnership (CTLP) is receiving $495,000 to enhance its cultural tourism offerings at Carcross Commons. This project will not only improve the visitor experience but will also offer local youth job training, furthering the territory’s push to integrate First Nations into its tourism sector.
Derek Crowe, the CTLP executive director touted the project as an important driver of the community’s long-term success and development of its young population.
“It will build our staff’s capacity as they manage aspects of this project and, in time, the Commons facility itself,” he said.
“Looking ahead, we envision the Commons as a key point of connection and communication—where visitors and the local community can come together to share values, experiences, and knowledge in a safe and welcoming environment.”
- T’su Ghay (Spruce Roots) Sewing Makerspace: will bolster technical and business skills for the entrepreneurs involved in the project who are mostly First Nations women
- Carcross Commons tourism upgrades: improve visitor services, add retail spaces, and create areas for cultural events and activities
- Sky High Wilderness Ranch: develop an operational plan and incorporate more Indigenous cultural elements into its visitor experiences.
The Sky High Wilderness Ranch, owned by the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, will receive $162,000 funding to boost its cultural tourism offerings, including developing off-season activities and upgrading equipment.
The announced federal government funding for the three projects comes from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency IDEANorth program makes foundational investments in economic infrastructure, sector development and capacity building to help position Northerners in the territories to take advantage of Canada’s innovation economy.
The federal funding for the three projects comes from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency’s IDEANorth program, which gears funding towards infrastructure and other projects to support economic growth in northern communities.
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Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Airlines’ new routes from N.W.T. to Ontario can capitalize on int’l tourism: expert, CBC News
Finland: Not-so snowy start to winter casts a gloomy shadow over Lapland tourisms, Yle News
Greenland: New Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq flight aims to boost Greenland tourism, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland moving ahead on better ways to manage tourism & safeguard protected areas, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Reindeer herding affected by increased tourism in Swedish mountains, Radio Sweden
