Governments of Canada and Yukon and the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun Harness Geothermal Energy

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Dawson City, Yukon (July 26, 2010) - The First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun Government House in Mayo, Yukon will benefit from a new geothermal heating system based on an investment from the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon, and the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun.

The $2.95 million project will provide the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun Government House with energy-efficient, sustainable, and low-cost central heating. The system will also be expandable to serve other buildings in the community.

“The new heating system uses the earth's constant temperature below the ground to heat in winter and cool in summer. The system will reduce emissions and result in cost savings. Our government is proud to support environmentally sustainable and economically responsible projects such as this,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

“The First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun is very pleased to be proceeding with the geothermal aspect of our new Government House complex,” said Chief Simon Mervyn. “It constitutes one more step in the First Nation's quest to achieve self sustainability once again.”

“To help build healthy, vibrant and sustainable Yukon communities, the Yukon government is committed to working with urban and rural communities to improve their infrastructure,” Community Services Minister Archie Lang said. “We are pleased that our partnership with Canada and the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun will contribute to construction of an energy-efficient new First Nation's Government House in Mayo.”

The project includes investments of $983,333 each from the Governments of Canada and Yukon under the Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Program to contribute to the $2.95 million project. The $983,333 investment from the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun is composed of $491,667 from the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun and $491,667 from the First Nation's portion of the Government of Canada Gas Tax Fund.

Over the span of the Yukon-Canada Municipal-Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) agreement, the Governments of Canada and Yukon will each invest more than $19 million in community infrastructure projects. The federal portion of MRIF is delivered in the Yukon through CanNor.

Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan  and Canada's Northern Strategy.

For further information on infrastructure projects in Yukon, visit Creating Jobs – Building Communities   or visit Yukon Infrastructure Funds - Community Services  .

Backgrounder - Geothermal Central Heating for First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun in Mayo

For further information please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Bonnie Venton Ross
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849

Government of Yukon
Cathrine Morginn
Communications Coordinator
Community Services
867-456-3938

Government of Yukon
Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7949

First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun
Anne Leckie
Executive Director
867-996-2265 ext. 209