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Five Yukon First Nations Attend Biomass Event in Anchorage

Tuesday, 23 April 2019 16:17

The event took place from April 15th to 16th in Anchorage (Photo courtesy of Anchorage.net)

Five Yukon First Nations were among the representatives at the Alaska-Yukon Wood Energy Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska last week.

Five Yukon First Nations were among the representatives at the Alaska-Yukon Wood Energy Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska last week.

The two-day event discussed increasing biomass production for all Yukon First Nations, including increasing competition in Indigenous forestry sectors and displacing the need for diesel energy in remote Yukon communities.

Following the event, Yukon First Nation leaders toured different biomass facilities in various remote northern Indigenous communities.

Commenting on the initiative, Deputy Haa Shaa du Hen Maria Benoit says biomass production will eventually help her citizens develop a sustainable forestry industry as well as strengthen local natural resource development.

In a statement, Chief of Kluane First Nation Robert Dickson notes while his First Nation has implemented renewable heating systems since the late 1990's, it's encouraging seeing other Yukon First Nations increasing their biomass production.

The tour is part of a greater multi-year initiative by the federal government, who have recently invested over $1 million dollars to implement nine biomass projects over the next year three years in the territory.

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