Government of Canada Supports Yukon First Nation Four-Season Greenhouse Project

February 13, 2019 — Whitehorse, Yukon — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting sustainable, healthy Indigenous and northern communities, while creating new opportunities for socio-economic development and enhancing food security in the face of a changing climate.

Last evening, Member of Parliament for Yukon, Larry Bagnell, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade, announced $500,000 in funding to support the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm’s pilot project to create a first-of-its-kind four-season greenhouse farm in Yukon Territory. Mr. Bagnell made the announcement at the 2018 Arctic Inspiration Prize awards ceremony, where the project won an additional $500,000 award.

The greenhouse project will enable the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to grow fresh produce year-round, and will enable the creation of a year-round teaching and working venue for citizens and the broader community. The final design could also be shared with other Yukon First Nations and northern communities seeking local solutions to enhance food security.

Quotes

“At a time when there is growing concern about the effects of climate change on traditional foods and the rising cost and access to quality produce in the North, it is inspiring to see local Indigenous and northern communities developing local solutions to food security issues. I congratulate the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation on this exciting project that will not only be able to grow fresh, healthy produce in some of the coldest periods of winter, but will also become a year-round teaching centre allowing the First Nation to share its expertise with others across the North.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade

“The Yukon is one of the most beautiful and special places in all of Canada!  Food security, however, is a key challenge in the North, especially with the linkage of traditional food to climate change, and the rising cost of imported produce. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s Teaching and Working Farm will create a first-of-its-kind four-season greenhouse farm, adding to the food security and resiliency of the region.  Congratulations Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in! This is an important step in blazing a healthy trail for all Northerners.”

The Honourable Larry Bagnell, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Yukon

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada’s funding is being provided through the Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program, which supports Indigenous and northern communities and organizations to help them adapt to climate change.
• Budget 2016 allocated $21.8 million over five years and Budget 2017 allocated an additional $25.4 million over five years to support the assessment of climate change impacts and implementation of adaptation measures in the North.
• Since 2012, the Arctic Inspiration Prize Association has awarded $3 million per year to support multi-disciplinary team initiatives aimed at addressing causes important to the Canadian Arctic and its peoples.
• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation teaching and working farm is located near Dawson City, Yukon.
• This expansion extends the growing season from five months per year to 12 months per year.
• Nutrition North Canada is a Government of Canada subsidy program to provide Northerners in isolated communities with improved access to perishable nutritious food.

Associated links

• Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program
• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching & Working Farm
• Arctic Inspiration Prize – 2018 awards recipients
• Nutrition North Canada

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Vincent Hughes
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade
Vincent.Hughes@iga-aig.gc.ca
613-943-7111

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca

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