Canada and Ross River Dena Council celebrate reconciliation in action with Tsē Zūl Camp opening at the Faro Mine Site

FARO MINE SITE, LOCATED WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ROSS RIVER DENA COUNCIL, PART OF THE KASKA NATION, NEAR FARO, YT, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Ross River Dena Council Chief Dylan Loblaw participate in the opening of Tsē Zūl Camp with Elders, community members, Faro Mine Remediation Project workers, and distinguished guests. Photo Credit: Peter Mather and Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation

Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Ross River Dena Council Chief Dylan Loblaw cut the ribbon to officially open Tsē Zūl Camp at the opening ceremony held in the camp cafeteria. Credit: Peter Mather and Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation

Member of Parliament for the Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Arctic Affairs Dr. Brendan Hanley, Ross River Dena Council Chief Dylan Loblaw, and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand at Tsē Zūl Camp. Photo Credit: Peter Mather and Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation

Member of Parliament for the Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Arctic Affairs Dr. Brendan Hanley, Ross River Dena Council Chief Dylan Loblaw, and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand at the Faro Mine site. Photo Credit: Peter Mather and Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation

joined Ross River Dena Chief Dylan Loblaw, Council members, Elders and community members, Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for the Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Arctic Affairs, and other distinguished guests, in celebrating the official opening of Tsē Zūl Camp, a newly constructed accommodation facility for workers to support future remediation of the Faro Mine Site.

Supported by an investment of $90 million from the Faro Mine Remediation Project for leasing, site preparation, installation, and operation of Tsē Zūl Camp through to 2029, the new camp provides significantly improved accommodations to meet the growing number of workers expected to be involved in one of Canada's largest and most complex environmental remediation projects in the years to come.

Tsē Zūl Camp represents an important milestone for both the Ross River Dena Council and the Faro Mine Remediation Project. The camp provides new infrastructure to support the growing workforce required for the Faro Mine Remediation Project. It demonstrates how collaboration between Indigenous partners and the Government of Canada, working closely with industry/project contractors, can support Indigenous-led economic development while also providing much-needed infrastructure for the safe and efficient remediation of the Faro Mine Site.

Built and wholly owned by Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation, the economic development arm of Ross River Dena Council, the new camp reflects an innovative approach to creating employment, training, and long-term business capacity for the First Nation's citizens.

This achievement is a considerable step forward, and the Government of Canada remains committed to working with affected First Nations partners in innovative ways to ensure the remediation project respects Indigenous interests, knowledge, and priorities.

Quotes

"The opening of the Tsē Zūl Camp is a proud moment for the Ross River Dena Council. Our people have a long history with this land, and the impacts of the Faro Mine have been felt by our community for generations. Today, we are seeing a different approach--one where our people are not standing on the sidelines but are participating, building capacity, and creating opportunities from the work happening on our Traditional Territory. Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation's ownership of this camp is an important step toward greater economic self-determination for our Nation and ensuring that the remediation of Tsē Zūl creates lasting benefits for our citizens. We are proud of what has been accomplished, and we see this as the beginning of an even greater role for Ross River Dena in the work ahead."

Dylan Loblaw
Chief, Ross River Dena Council

"I'm honoured to join Chief Dylan Loblaw and the Ross River Dena Council to celebrate the opening of Tsē Zūl Camp. This is an important achievement for the community and demonstrates what can happen when Indigenous leadership, economic opportunity, and major remediation work come together. Congratulations to Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation and everyone who helped make this camp a reality. As work on the Faro Mine Remediation Project advances, Canada will continue working with Ross River Dena Council and our partners to support local jobs, build capacity, and ensure that the benefits of this important work are felt in the North."

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada has invested $9.1 billion over 15 years through the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to remediate eight of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's largest abandoned mine projects in the North, including the Faro Mine Remediation Project.
• CIRNAC works closely with Ross River Dena Council to ensure meaningful participation in all aspects of the Faro Mine Remediation Project and to identify innovative ways to maximize long-term economic opportunities and benefits of the Project. CIRNAC also regularly engages with Liard First Nation and Selkirk First Nation on the project.
• Following the completion of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act (YESAA) environmental assessment process in September 2025, and working with our partners to submit a water licence application this past May 2026, the Faro Mine Remediation Project is closer than ever to moving into active remediation and construction.
• The Tsē Zūl Camp represents an important investment in the infrastructure required to support future remediation. The facility became operational in late August 2026 and officially opened on September 14, 2026. It can accommodate up to 288 workers. The facility improves accommodations, safety, and operational efficiency for project staff and contractors, and will support growing workforce demands as regulatory approvals are obtained and remediation activities advance.
• Building on its work on the Tsē Zūl Camp, the Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation has expanded its capacity as an Indigenous-owned camp provider serving active and abandoned mines, as well as utility companies.

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

For more information, media may contact: Jo Ann Pinera, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, [email protected]; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, [email protected]