Daniel Vandal, the federal Minister of Northern Affairs, met virtually with the leaders of three Yukon First Nations on Tuesday to discuss progress on three clean energy projects.

“These are three wonderful projects; they are local, Indigenous-led, they are creating employment for locals, they are promoting energy efficiency, they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Vandal told the Star on Tuesday.

“It’s one hundred per cent in line with our commitment to be greenhouse gas-neutral by 2050.”

The federal government has provided $3.4 million since 2016 to the Carcross-Tagish First Nation (CTFN), Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Taku River Tlingit First Nations to undertake the clean energy projects.

The three First Nations are installing advanced microgrid energy systems to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. The projects are in partnership with MGrid Energy Inc.

They will use solar and battery technology to power a Carcross/Tagish culture camp, a Taku River Tlingit First Nation fish camp and a greenhouse at the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm. 

The CTFN has partnered with the Tsay Keh Dene Nation on a community-led climate change research and monitoring program.

The program will include youth mentorship opportunities and utilize traditional knowledge.

This initiative has received $494,000 in federal funding since 2018.

“Carcross-Tagish First Nation has always sought to live in harmony with the land, we are pleased to have access to off-grid renewable energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and doing our part to lessen the harm caused by global warming,” said the CTFN’s Haa Shaa du Henn Lynda Dickson.

The Taku River Tlingit First Nation is expanding the Atlin hydro facility from 2.1 to eight megawatts. The expansion will reduce Atlin’s reliance on fossil fuels. 

This project received $389,564 from the Department of Northern Affairs to complete a feasibility assessment last year.

“Our land is our lifeblood,” said Taku River Tlingit spokesperson John Ward.

“Our land looks after us, and we look after our land. Anything that happens to Tlingit land affects us and our culture.”

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm is constructing an energy-efficient cold climate greenhouse that will allow for farming 10 months a year.

The 3,000 square foot greenhouse project was awarded a $500,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize and an additional $500,000 from the federal government’s climate change preparedness program.

“The solar panels at our working and teaching farm will improve production and reduce our dependency on food being delivered on diesel-fueled trucks from the south,” Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph said in a statement.

“This approach decreases our impact on the environment and increases food security for our community. Battling climate change is everyone’s responsibility, and we are pleased to be doing our part.”

Vandal told the Star these projects are examples of the federal government’s commitment to aiding the North’s fight against climate change.

“They’re going to contribute to a better climate and a better world,” Vandal said.

“Climate change is the issue of our generation … the ice is melting three times faster in the North than the South, and that’s something of great concern to our government, as well as to those who are living in these territories.”

Vandal said he received a progress report on the three projects on Tuesday, and said all three are nearly finished. The microgrid systems will reduce diesel consumption by 40 per cent.

“These are simply excellent projects, and I was very pleased,” Vandal said.

He originally intended to visit the project sites in person, but changed those plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister is looking to continue supporting clean energy infrastructure in the North.

“We’re just looking at keeping this conversation going and looking at implementing positive projects,” Vandal said.