Government of Canada Supports Sustainable Agriculture Business in Yukon

CanNor investments grow indigenous community garden and greenhouse projects

WHITEHORSE, YT, May 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced an investment of over $56,000 to support northern economic growth through self-sustainable agriculture projects in two indigenous communities in Yukon. These projects will also strengthen food security in these communities.

Both Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation have community greenhouses that have been providing fresh produce to local residents, tourists, and community members in need. As locally grown and high-quality food has become more available, the growing demand for fresh produce has surpassed the supply. This funding will support exploring the feasibility of expanding the existing community gardens and greenhouses in these two communities.

Quick Facts

• To support Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation community greenhouse project, CanNor is contributing $24,800, the First Nation is contributing $3,100, and the Government of Yukon is providing $3,100.  
• In addition to exploring expanding the greenhouse in Dawson City, an investment of $31,349 from CanNor, complimented by $13,120 from Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation and $10,000 from the Government of Yukon will support the relocation and renovations of the community's organic greenhouse and community garden.  The contribution will also support hiring a Coordinator to manage the site and to deliver educational workshops and food preservation programming. 

Quotes

"This investment highlights the Government of Canada's efforts to provide direct small business support to help northern communities become more self-sufficient and sustainable. I am proud to support strong, community-driven projects like these, with the intention of increasing the availability of locally grown food and supporting local agriculture business development."

Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"Local food production in our communities is a vital piece of the puzzle for improving self-sustainability and food security in the North. These projects directly address the demand for locally produced food while supporting our First Nations and diversifying the Yukon economy."  

Larry Bagnell
Member of Parliament for Yukon

"The feasibility study will provide the First Nation with an analysis of the current garden & greenhouse project's on-going viability and how the First Nation can improve and increase both the benefits and related business opportunities within the community." 

Skeeter Wright
Executive Director, Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation

"Becoming self-sufficient is a key objective of our First Nation. With the uncertainty of climate change, this is one of the first steps to adaptation and the practical reason we sought to improve the conditions of our Community Greenhouse. "We are also pursuing further funding assistance for the TH Farm and Farm School. These investments get us closer to that goal by assisting with increased food production while at the same time growing our local economy." 

Roberta Joseph
Chief, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation

Associated Links 

http://www.trondek.ca/

http://www.lscfn.ca/

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

For further information: Office of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, 343-291-2500; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Rebecca McDonald, Communications Advisor, Northwest Territories Region, 867-669-2592