BUILDING LOCALIZED ECONOMIES
A GA T H E RI N G T O S E RVE P EOP L E A ND T H E EN VI R ONM ENT
SUMMARY REPORT
May 22 - 23, 2015
Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, Yellowknife NT
www.localizedeconomies.ca
Ecology North | 5013 51 St. Yellowknife, NT X1A 1X5
(867) 873-6019|[email protected]
www.ecologynorth.ca
Acknowledgements
Ecology North wishes to acknowledge the support of the following sponsors and thank them for
contributing to the very successful Building Localized Economies Gathering.
Ecology North | 5013 51 St. Yellowknife, NT X1A 1X5
(867) 873-6019|[email protected]
www.ecologynorth.ca
Table of Contents
Page
A Message from Ecology North
i
Highlights
ii
Some Background on the Gathering
1
Beginning the Discussion
2
Welcome to the Building Localized Economies Gathering
4
The Voices of Localized Economies
-Food, the Heart of Localized Economies
-Panel 1: Food Production and Harvesting
-Panel 2: Food Processing, Storage and Distribution
Lunch Time Guest Speaker
-Generating Our Own Energy
-Panel 3: Ways to Meet Our Personal and Community Energy Needs
-Panel 4: Understanding the Market, Technologies, Costs, and Benefits of
Generating Our Own Energy
-Taking Our Power Back
-Panel 5: Governance for Community Empowerment and Control
-Panel 6: Community Empowerment Through Socio-Economic Wellbeing
-Breaking the Mould
-Panel 7: Localized Economy Trail Blazers
-Panel 8: Reclaiming the Commons – Adaptation and Change
5
5
7
10
13
14
14
17
19
20
24
29
30
33
Closing Comments
36
Meet the Presenters
40
About LocalizedEconomies.ca
48
A Message from Ecology North
Ecology North was honoured to organize the first Building Localized Economies Gathering. The
Gathering brought together a diverse array of speakers from throughout the NWT. They inspired us by
their knowledge, innovation, commitment, determination, and just plain hard work. We deeply appreciate
their generous sharing of their experiences and advice. They are the foundation of local economies. They
are:
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Harvesting and growing food;
Harnessing renewable sources of energy using new and old technologies;
Partnering and reshaping community governments policies to support local economies;
Making space for everyone in the community through well-being, art, and cultural enterprises;
Reshaping old business models; and
Resuming land stewardship responsibilities to rebuild the conservation economy.
We are encouraged by the diversity and breadth of individual and community efforts to build sustainable
local economies.
Ecology North is committed to working with northerners to make sure that this Gathering becomes an
annual event. In the interim, we are:
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Redirecting the www.localizedeconomies.ca site that was used to live stream the Gathering, to the
Ecology North website http://www.ecologynorth.ca/.
Providing this summary report electronically to all the speakers and participants who provided
contact information.
Sharing email contact information among participants for the purpose of enabling the networking
to continue. Of course, we expect that everyone will be respectful of this information and
judicious in using it (e.g., don’t overwhelm us with emails).
We thank everyone who participated in, and helped to organize the Gathering.
Let’s keep in touch.
Craig Scott,
Executive Director,
Ecology North
June 2015
i
Highlights
The NWT has never had a gathering of northerners who are actually working day to day to build local
economies. The Building Localized Economies Gathering was the first.
In organizing the Building Localized Economies Gathering, Ecology North was the first non-government
organization to bring a territorial meeting to people throughout the NWT. It did this through livestreaming
the proceedings and engaging people in online discussion with presenters in Yellowknife. Over 200
people logged on to the online Gathering and another 100 attended the Gathering at the Tree of Peace
Friendship Centre in Yellowknife.
The Gathering featured 34 speakers from communities throughout the NWT. These enterprising and
visionary northerners are typical of others throughout the NWT who are strengthening local economies,
enriching their communities, and helping to buffer local people from the negative effects of poverty,
inequality, climate change, high living costs, loss of skills and identity, and the many other impacts of
globalization. The Gathering focused on five main themes that are central to building local economies,
each of these themes were expanded to develop ideas and plans for keeping money from leaking out of
small northern communities.
Local Food Systems
Local food systems are developing through community and individual greenhouses, gardens, and farms;
harvesting wild plants, meat, and fish; traditional and new processing methods; training; and innovations
in distribution and marketing methods. These efforts are resulting in greater food security and lower
living costs. They are also revitalizing traditions and strengthening community relationships and
wellbeing.
Replacing store bought food with locally grown and harvested products is not without challenges. Lack of
supportive public policy and access to land and resources are factors challenging the development of local
food systems.
Local Energy Systems
Solar, biomass, and wind energy generation are growing in leaps and bounds throughout the NWT. These
systems are helping northerners to overcome cost and infrastructure barriers as well as reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. An amazing array of energy opportunities are available to northerners; these options will
only increase in the future. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s net metering system and
Gov’t of the NWT investment in renewable energy are spurring growth of local energy systems. Still,
public policy and regulations are not keeping pace with rapid changes in energy generation. This is
causing unnecessary barriers for northerners.
Role of Community Governments
Without good government, there is no economy. Government policy should support local economies. All
orders of government - federal, indigenous, territorial, and community – have vital roles to play to ensure
that proper plans, policies, regulations, and programs are in place to support local economies.
Community governments in the NWT are increasingly aware of this role. They have or are developing
ii
plans and policies for local forest management, tourism, agriculture, economic diversification, and
energy generation. They have a broad range of incentives and programming to support these efforts.
Community governments have long known that supporting local economies creates jobs, distributes
income, and improves community sustainability and wellbeing.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is both a cause and effect of a healthy community and local economy. Common goals in the
NWT are healthy people and communities that appreciate and include everyone. A variety of endeavours
seek to achieve these goals. Some successes are being realized through artists collectives, coalitions,
volunteer organizations, social and economic enterprises, and local governments. Still, lack of local
capacity, inappropriate public policy and organizational/ownership structures, and public attitudes
continue to challenge wellbeing throughout the NWT.
Reclaiming the Commons
A globalized economy and homeless transnational corporations have diminished local control of
economies, land, and resources. Globalization is leading to dangerous climate change and undermining
the sustainability of the NWT. Indigenous governments are leading the way to rebuild connections to the
land and environment, many through land stewardship initiatives. Northern businesses are reclaiming
local control through innovation and relationships that reconnect people with the natural environment. But
like all other efforts to build localized economies, an orientation to the global and inappropriate public
policy challenges these efforts.
The Building Localized Economies Gathering marks the beginning of a territory-wide conversation and a
movement to shift our thinking and ensure the sustainability of NWT communities and families. This
conversation and movement will continue and gather strength. Ecology North intends to be a leader in
this.
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Some Background on the Gathering
In October 2014, Dennis Bevington, MP Northwest Territories and Bob Bromley, MLA Weledeh
conducted an online survey on sustainable economies.1 Fifty-eight (58) individuals/organizations from
throughout the NWT participated. The survey participants were interested in many aspects of sustainable
economies but the main ones were:
1. Food,
2. Renewable Energy,
3. Community Empowerment,
4. Harmony with the Natural Environment, and
5. Education and Research.
They were also interested in an NWT forum on sustainable local economies.
Ecology North2 advanced the work begun in the online survey by organizing the May 22-23, 2015
Building Localized Economies Gathering. The Gathering was structured to follow-up on the findings
from the online survey. The Gathering had five objectives:
1. Conceptualize opportunities to build a foundation for localized economies by focusing on human
needs and renewable resources.
2. Explore opportunities for food production, harvesting, processing, storage, and distribution in
ways that maximize local economic benefits while reducing environmental and social costs.
3. Examine the benefits, costs, and opportunities for local renewable energies from forests, sun,
water and wind.
4. Explore ways communities can take back power for governance and well-being by localizing
economies.
5. Celebrate successful local economies and innovative community empowerment projects.
Lois Little, Lutra Associates Ltd., developed the agenda, engaged speakers, and facilitated and reported
on the Gathering.
This report summarizes presentations and discussions at the Gathering. It also includes a summary of a
related discussion at a constituency meeting sponsored by Dennis Bevington, MP. The meeting on May
21, 2015 provided helpful context for the Gathering.
The Gathering was attended by about 100 people. Thirty-six (36) people made presentations of which 34
are NWT residents. Information on the speakers is appended. In addition, over 200 people viewed the live
stream coverage and a total of 130 votes were cast in the online discussion forum over the course of the
Gathering. Topics discussed in the online forum were: First Nation business mentorship; community
1
http://www.dennisbevington.ca/pdfs/en/2015/Sustainable_NWT_Survey_Report_2015.pdf
Ecology North is a charitable, non-profit organization based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories with almost 45
years of working in partnership for sound environmental decision-making. More recently, Ecology North has
focused on climate change and sustainable living.
2
1
kitchens; home-based solar power; farming co-op support; community internet hubs; agricultural leases;
and vehicle registration. This discussion can be found at
www.localizedeconomies.ca or http://www.ecologynorth.ca/.
Information on the website is appended.
Beginning the Discussion
Dennis Bevington, MP Northwest Territories hosted the
Paige Saunders and Jeremy Flatt live-streaming the
Dene National Chief and Regional Chief of the Assembly of Gathering (photo Ben Nind)
First Nations, Bill Erasmus, and two British Columbia-based economists, Diana Gibson and Dave
Thompson, in a discussion about sustainable community economies. They had much wisdom and advice
to share.
For much of the last decade, the NWT’s GDP has exceeded other Canadian provinces and territories. At
the same time, troubling trends have emerged that are challenging the sustainability of NWT
communities.
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The population is in decline.
Poverty is increasing.
Gaps between high and low income households are growing.
More money is leaking out of the local economy.
Many northerners are engaged in local sustainable enterprises but governments are focused on resource
extraction. A focus on ‘boom-bust’ economies rather than sustainability is not serving northerners. To
move away from a ‘boom-bust’ economy, focus on sustainability, and reverse troubling trends, the NWT
needs to:
 Recognize indigenous land ownership and stewardship responsibilities to create stability
throughout the territory.
 Support all communities - “if small communities are strong so is Yellowknife.”
 Develop an energy plan that includes the traditional Dene economy and builds on the NWT’s net
metering3 system.
 Take a ‘value-added’ approach to maximize local benefits (e.g., linking community tourism
enterprises regionally and/or territorially rather than “every operator or community doing their
own thing”).
 Create markets for local products/services (e.g., tourism businesses are markets for local
fisheries).
 Encourage cooperatives such as the Yellowknife Old Town Glassworks workers’ collective,
because these enterprises engender local participation, commitment, and benefits. Cooperative
approaches are especially helpful to supporting local food enterprises and addressing associated
storage and transportation issues.
3
A program called Net Metering, allows Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) customers who own
small, commercially-proven, renewable energy generators to generate their own power and send any surplus onto
the electricity grid in their community. https://www.ntpc.com/customer-service/net-billing
2
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Use the Nutrition North subsidy as a micro investment for
example, to encourage local bakeries so we can reduce the high
cost of bread.
Recognize that heating with wood is “tax free” and doesn’t
require a lot of capital investment, unlike for example,
geothermal.
Issues in the NWT are not unlike those that plague resource-based
economies elsewhere. In these economies, the dominant narrative is that
there is no alternative to an economy based on extractive industry. This
Dennis Bevington, Diana Gibson and
Dave Thompson (photo Bob Wilson)
narrative goes on to assert that without incentives, industries will leave;
local economies will be ruined; and communities will be poorer for it.
Around the world and in Canada, people are seeing that this narrative is a myth, and one that is harmful to
local people and communities.
Climate change could end or irrevocably alter civilization as we know it. The increasing affordability and
use of new renewable energy technologies are hopeful but fundamentally a change to the economic model
is needed to build healthy, sustainable communities.
Moving from a reliance on extractive industries to diverse local economies can and must reflect historical
practices of:
1. Living “off the interest not the capital” so as not to undermine the foundation of the economy.
2. Enhancing rather than degrading resources by for example, intervening in ways that improve
productivity and sustainability (e.g., controlled forest burns).
3. Targeting benefits at people rooted in the community rather than at transient populations.
4. Taking bottom-up, grassroots approaches.
5. Involving diverse endeavours and enterprises.
Policy changes are needed to align with, and support local economies and respond to the realities of
climate change. Policies need to be revamped to:
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Remove fossil fuel subsidies. Fossil fuel subsidies finance industries and businesses that aren’t
rooted in the local community. “We have a choice – we can give subsidies to people so they can
make choices or continue to subsidize industries, which essentially tells local people that they
have to use fossil fuels.”
Institute carbon pricing based on the ‘polluter pays principle’ so that poorer people aren’t
disproportionately bearing the costs of pollution, as is the case now.
Shift economic thinking away from an orientation to extractive industries – “even our education
system is skewed toward using fossil fuels.”
Replace the ‘smoke stack chasing’ economic model of bringing in external investors (and “being
told we are so lucky that they are here”) with ‘economic gardening’ which builds local economies
with local people in mind rather than outside investors.
Move away from a single industry focus or “putting all our eggs in one basket” to a diversified
model. “We just have to look at Alberta to know the dangers of a single industry focus.”
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Quality of life, community cohesion, and social capital are fundamental to sustaining local communities
and economies. The current economic model is contributing to poverty and inequality which undermine
individual, community, and societal successes. We can alter taxation policy so governments actually
invest in people, communities, and local economies. NWT governments can invest in sustainable
economy infrastructure and social and cultural development- the
things that people value and care about. “An investment in these
areas is an investment in people and a way to address poverty and
inequality. It is a virtuous circle not a vicious circle.” Encouraging
public, cooperative, and collective ownership structures can also
respond to poverty and inequality as they are ways to include local
people and make sure that investment stays local. Finally, it is
important to recognize that sustainable, localized economies are
not about going back but about growing diversity.
From Remi Gervais’ presentation
Welcome to the Building Localized Economies Gathering
Fred Sangris, former N’dilo Chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, welcomed participants to
Chief Drygeese Territory within the Treaty 8 region. He led the opening blessing.
Bob Bromley, MLA for the Weledeh riding of Yellowknife, welcomed participants and thanked the
many sponsors and organizers. He said that First Nations are focused on maintaining life systems. It is
time that non-indigenous people joined these efforts. “We all come from the land and from localized
economies.” This Gathering is about “re-localizing economies, not about creating something entirely new
that we know nothing about. We’ve been there before.” Communities around the world want to be healthy
and sustainable. Sustainable local economies draw on traditional knowledge and local ‘know-how’,
engender commitment, and find a place for everyone.
In the past, taxes supported local economies but with the rise of globalized, corporate structures
sanctioned in free trade agreements and government policy, power has been pulled away from local
communities. Economies have shifted away from benefits to, and the participation of local people to the
accumulation of wealth by a few. Government taxation policy has reaped fewer dollars to invest in local
communities; jobs and benefits are not being realized locally; and costs for goods and services have
increased. While not excluding non-renewable resource extraction, northerners need to re-localize the
economy and draw on renewable resources and the skills and knowledge of local people. This approach
can be sustainable for current and future generations.
Dennis Bevington, MP Northwest Territories, welcomed participants and thanked the sponsors and
organizers. His 2013 Tackling Living Costs in the NWT research showed that a significant number of
northerners are not benefiting from the NWT’s rise in GDP from the mining sector. In fact, poverty and
inequality are increasing even in communities close to the mines. Inflation rates are high, especially for
basic commodities such as food and energy. People working in the mines are not spending locally so the
multiplier effect that one job creates other jobs, is not happening. These are among the factors making the
NWT unsustainable. This was a reason that he and Bob Bromley launched the sustainable NWT
communities online survey. The survey led to this Gathering.
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The NWT is the “world’s largest small town – everyone has relationships and talks to each other.
Everyone wants to build on these relationships.” So communications are key to moving forward in ways
that include everyone.
In a final comment, Dennis acknowledged the late Doug Ritchie and his seminal work through Ecology
North to confront climate change and advocate for sustainability.
Craig Scott, Executive Director of Ecology North, welcomed participants in the room as well as those
online. He expressed his hope that this Gathering will become an annual event and that live streaming and
digital engagement of people from throughout the NWT will be an approach that grows. There are many
benefits to bringing meetings to people rather than physically bringing people to meetings.
The Gathering (photo Ben Nind)
The Voices of Localized Economies
The two-day Building Localized Economies Gathering heard from 36 speakers with a wealth of
experience, perspectives, and advice for building localized economies. There were eight panels each with
three or four panelists, four mini-keynote presentations, and two lunchtime speakers. A summary of these
presentations follows.
Food, the Heart of Localized Economies
Jackie Milne, founder and President of the Northern Farm Training Institute (NFTI) in Hay River,
provided the context for two panels on food. She began by explaining that modern living has moved
people away from the living ecosystem and their biological roots, toward geology and technology. In
other words, people have moved from the living to the non-living. This way of living is making
communities unsustainable. The abandoned mining community of Pine Point is an example of this.
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Agriculture is the foundation of civilization and any stable economy. Food systems and food
independence are the heart of localized economies. But if food systems are not linked to the ecosystem
and cognizant of the realities of climate, infrastructure, and costs and the ways these factors contribute to
food insecurity and vulnerability, they won’t be
sustainable. Northerners are particularly vulnerable to
food insecurity due to a reliance on imported foods.
The solutions to food security and sustainability are
local food systems that are regenerative, diverse,
embrace wild harvests, use simple technology, and
champion and support domestic production. Core or
staple foods should be grown locally and
supplemented with imports. “Everything we need to
live can be grown.”
Local food systems are developing in the NWT. For
example, in Hay River four farmers work together to
From Jackie Milne’s Presentation
provide a weekly local food basket to residents. The
charge is $40/week – a low cost for locally grown and harvested produce. With the size of the
Yellowknife market, there are opportunities to support local growers and harvesters and be a venue for
growers from other communities. In some parts of Canada, small organic farmers are earning $100,000 to
$140,000/year. A northern family farm has the potential to earn as much as $200,000/year. In the NWT,
northerners spend $150 to $170 million annually on food, most of which is imported. Northern harvesters
and growers can tap into this market and keep the money spent on food in the NWT.
Having just come back from the International Savoury Institute in Zimbabwe, which fosters holistic food
systems and sustainable farming, Jackie has a renewed appreciation of the NWT’s potential. “We have a
moment here to make a difference.” Because the NWT is just beginning to look at modern food systems,
"we can do it right, not like in the south where pollution and soil loss have already happened.” The
research shows one person can feed ten others. With a population of about 42,000 people, it is reasonable
to train 4,000 northerners to produce food. NFTI has a farm and a unique program that can foster food
production skills.
NFTI is structured as a social enterprise with the goal of producing $1 million in produce, feeding 200
people, and training and mentoring northerners in local food production. In two years of operation, NFTI
has already trained 10 students who have started local food businesses. This number will grow. NFTI is
part of the International Savoury Institute network and intends to be a resource on sustainable local food
systems throughout the circumpolar world.
In closing, Jackie encouraged everyone to read the UN report Wake Up Before it is Too Late.4
4
http://www.srfood.org/en/wake-up-before-it-is-too-late-report-on-sustainable-agriculture-for-unctad
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Panel 1: Food Production and Harvesting
Three panel members shared their local food production and harvesting experiences.
Fred Sangris from N’dilo, is a leader, land steward, harvester, and gardener. He explained the history of
food growing, and wild plant, animal, and fish harvesting among the Yellowknives Dene. He gave
examples of wild onions harvested on the northeast shore of Great Slave Lake and wild rice grown from a
small lake east of Yellowknife. The Dene grew food at old Fort Providence and at Burwash before the
mine took over that land.
Fred’s grandfather’s family was food independent but when the Mackenzie Highway was built and food
started coming from the south, Fred’s father gave up these practices. Fred has revitalized them as have
many Yellowknives Dene of his generation. He like others, are concerned about a reliance on store
bought foods, the effects of pesticides, and the impacts on the health of indigenous people (e.g., diabetes).
Today people in Dettah and N’dilo are healthier than in the ‘70s because they are more critical about store
bought food.
Fred’s ancestors like other YKDFN members, were nomadic harvesters who knew how to dry and process
food for use in times when meat and fish weren’t available. He remembers being told that anything green
or yellow wasn’t good but now understands that often the more colourful fresh foods are, the healthier
they are. Today, more Dene are combining traditional foods like moose, ducks, fish, and beaver with
grown vegetables. Shrinking caribou herds and the loss of this food source also means that grown foods
are becoming more important. There is also a growing interest in and understanding of the importance of
the local fishery. He is thankful that Great Slave Lake is still relatively unpolluted.
“Community gardening is taking off.” N’dilo has a
community garden and Dettah is planning one. Widespread arsenic and sulphur dioxide contamination
from the mines and poor soil quality are barriers to
both food growing and wild plant harvesting. To
safely grow food, N’dilo community members have
been working with Lone Sorenson to learn about soil
care and nutrition. Fred replaced acidic local soil with
store bought soil and sheep manure. He grows
potatoes, carrots, and sweet peas and is planning to
grow onions (“to go with the fish” he harvests). “I
love gardening and it works with fishing – it’s a
healthy way to live.”
Dennis Bevington and Fred Sangris (photo Ben Nind)
While more people are learning about food and gardening, it would be helpful to have more training and
information on what can be grown, how to grow it, and how to use it. The information currently available
on morel mushrooms should be available for other kinds of plants/ produce.
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Doug Whiteman is a farmer in Norman Wells. When Doug
began farming, he drew on his childhood experiences and his
family’s knowledge of growing food and storing it in root
cellars and by curing and canning. Trying to reduce the cost of
living was his main motivation for producing food in Norman
Wells. He was encouraged by an awareness of the many
successful greenhouses that have operated in the community,
growing everything from watermelons to fruit trees.
As there is no agricultural land in the Sahtu Region, land was a
main challenge. Doug was fortunate to access land for potato
farming beside the local airstrip. He admits to making the same Part of Doug Whiteman’s potato harvest (photo Doug
mistakes others do – particularly not attending to the soil. It
Whiteman)
needs to be fertilized and conditioned with compost and
manure. In his second year of farming, Doug imported 18 tonnes of manure from the south then realized
that it is more efficient to produce manure from his own animals. So he brought in chickens, turkeys, and
pigs to produce compost as well as food. He fed compostables to the pigs, which also avoid problems
with bears. Waste potatoes were boiled and fed to the pigs too. He advised others wanting to get into
farming to start with animals rather than vegetables in order to eliminate the need to import fertilizer. Fish
waste is also an excellent fertilizer but it has to be used carefully. Along with soil quality, potato variety
also requires careful consideration. Early or mid-season varieties are preferable in a sub-Arctic climate.
In the early 1900s, the mission in Fort Providence produced 10,000 lbs. of potatoes per acre. This was
Doug’s target for his farm. One year Doug grew 30,000 lbs. of potatoes of which about 20,000 lb. were
marketable and the rest were fed to the pigs. He found that to toughen the skins so they don’t spoil in
storage, it is advisable to cut the plant tops and leave the potatoes in the ground for a time before
harvesting them. He has lots of other tips and advice to share and encouraged people to contact him.
Doug had some difficulty selling his potatoes locally because he couldn’t compete with the Nutrition
North subsidy that enabled the local store to sell imported potatoes at a lower price. This is not helpful to
local food producers. Still, he has successfully reduced his own and others cost of living. Farming is also
a good way to involve family members, especially grandchildren. Local food is healthier and has a
smaller carbon footprint than imported foods. Growing food is also good for the community.
France Benoit is a food grower and vendor, and president of the Yellowknife Farmers’ Market. She has a
small farm 25 km. east of Yellowknife. While farming is not part of her background, France and her late
husband and climate change activist, Doug Ritchie, pursued farming as a way to counter climate change.
Food is also a social justice issue because “food insecurity faces us all” due to lack of local production
and a reliance on imported foods.
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Growing food requires adaptation to northern conditions. “We need to come up with our own ways of
growing food.” France uses raised beds due to concerns about arsenic contamination, the lack of soil, and
poor soil quality. She has also been challenged by access to land. For example, she expanded the
productive land on her property by ‘fire smarting’ the area. But because she has expanded her gardens off
her lease, she is now facing punitive action from the GNWT.
To make food production into a business, France kept records of her harvests; weighed the produce; and
sought out comparative prices in stores as the basis for assigning a monetary value to the produce. This
provided the base case for an ITI grant to expand production and enable the sale of produce. The
Yellowknife Farmers’ Market is a venue for produce sales. The Market is now entering its third year. It
operates on public space on Tuesday evenings 16 weeks per season. It attracts 200-400 customers each
week. In its second season, the Market had 96 approved vendors and directly and indirectly contributed
$1 million to the economy,5 double the first year’s output. This success came despite a fire season that
prevented vendors coming from Hay River.
The Market was originally set up as a cooperative
but under this ownership structure, it couldn’t
fundraise or access City grants. As a result, it
changed its structure to a registered not for profit.
Vendor fees cover the costs of a manager. It
operates under one City business licence (rather
than all vendors needing their own licences). It
functions as a business incubator by helping
vendors learn about pricing, increasing their sales, Fra e Be oit at the popular Yellowk ife Far ers’ Market (fro the YFM
website)
packaging, and marketing their produce. The
Market has a land share program that connects growers with available land (e.g., unused back yards) and
greenhouses. It also provides nominal funding for tools and supplies in return for participation at the
Market. The Yellowknife Farmers’ Market has a pilot project with GNWT health authorities to use noncommercial kitchens. All vendors must follow food safety guidelines. Inspectors regularly visit vendors to
ensure compliance.
The Yellowknife Farmers’ Market has a “huge community dimension”. For local gardeners with excess
produce, the Market will sell it for them for 10% of revenues. It makes space for ‘budding gardeners’ so
they can learn and make decisions about whether they want to continue selling food. Also, two tables are
open to community members wanting to fundraise or offer public education. This year the Market has a
grant from the NWT Arts Council to fund five or six concerts with local musicians.
The Yellowknife Farmers’ Market has three main objectives – facilitate the Market, support food based
economic development, and support the development of local food systems. Work on the first two
objectives is well underway, so the Market is now concentrating on addressing local food security issues.
Toward this end, it has worked with others to develop a Yellowknife Food Charter which envisions a just
Gross revenue data are collected every week. Sales average about $17,000 per week. A typical farmer’s market
multiplier of $3.2 produced for every $1 spent is used to calculate overall economic impact.
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and sustainable food system rooted in a healthy community where everyone has access to adequate and
affordable nutritious food; more food is grown and harvested locally; and food production policies and
infrastructure are in place to support an economically viable, diverse, and ecologically sustainable local
food system. The Market is promoting the Charter and seeking the endorsement and support of the City of
Yellowknife and others. Food security will be an issue in this year’s elections.
Panel 2: Food Processing, Storage and Distribution
Four panel members spoke about the benefits and costs of local food processing, storage, and distribution
methods and systems.
Jackie Milne of NFTI explained that a secure local food system depends on good storage methods and
systems because growing food out of season is too energy intensive. For true security, food storage
systems should be diverse and use a variety of technologies – freezing, drying, canning – as well as some
living food. “If people can live here, plants can live here
too.” Drying food may have the most potential – once
dried, food is ten times lighter and can be frozen and
thawed, and easily transported. In terms of adding value to
northern products and addressing storage issues, food
producers might look at niche products (i.e., northern
ketchup – tomatoes, onion and rose hips). This requires
some education and encouragement to use local products.
‘Farm to table’ is the most profitable way to distribute food
but this is not always possible. There is also a need for
small scale abattoirs so communities have the legal ability
to slaughter domestic animals. Domestic animals are a way
From Jackie Milne’s presentation
to take the pressure off dwindling wild herds.
Sam Bullock, co-owner of Bullocks Bistro, has a long personal and professional history in the northern
fishery. As a child, he was involved in harvesting, processing and smoking fish, and using fish waste to
enrich the soil to grow potatoes. “Fish is protein for people and the soil.” His Bistro generates about 100
pounds of fish (slime and parts) waste per day. This is a great fertilizer for local gardens (although it
needs to be used with some knowledge of its potency). Unfortunately, local people don’t take advantage
of this resource and it goes to waste. Fish by-products could be frozen or processed for use.
Globally, wild fish stocks have been depleted but the NWT still has a rich and valuable wild fish resource
but it is being impacted by climate change. For instance, fires are increasing the acid level of inland lakes
so fish that normally over winter in smaller lakes are staying in the big lake. To use this resource
responsibly, technology and good skills/knowledge are needed to properly process, package, and store
fish because it is a fragile product. For domestic markets, Sam encourages use of traditional methods –
“smoking and drying work” and training for both residential and commercial use. Currently, he has an
apprentice fish handler at the Bistro. In 18 months, the apprentice is “about half way to proficiency.” Sam
is also working on a curriculum for fish harvesting and processing. He would like to see Aurora College
deliver ‘from the lake to the table’ fisheries training. He said that there are many experts working in their
10
fish camps who have harvesting and processing skills and knowledge. These camps and skills should be
supported. Perhaps some could become year round enterprises.
The Bistro buys fish from Great Slave Lake fishers but there are fewer of them every year. At the same
time, demand is rising as there are many more Asian tourists every year. “They consume a lot of fish.”
Sam has found that purchasing and processing fish is a complicated business. He has periodic inspections
from the GNWT and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The Bistro gets many
requests to export fish but no licenses are available. The Freshwater Fish Marketing Act allows only the
Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) to sell fish outside the NWT. So a micro fish plant to
sell fish outside the NWT is not a realistic business. “When we are talking about our fisheries, we are
talking about production for local markets.” However, locally and across the north, fisheries have been
impacted by the discontinuation of the country food shipping subsidy. For the Bistro, this meant that they
could no longer buy the annual 4,000 lb. of high quality Arctic char from Broughton Island (as the cost of
shipping increased from $1.65/lb. to $4.00 lb). The response of the fisher was to lower the cost of his
product but that was not acceptable to the Bistro. “Fishers shouldn’t be paid less because of a failed
government support program.” As a result, the Bistro now buys its Arctic char from Iceland because it is
cheaper to import from outside the country than within it.
Sam believes that “water can be seen as food. We sit on a wonderful resource that is underutilized.
Locally we can do a lot to change that.”
Craig Scott is a partner in Arctic Harvest, a small
seasonal business. The business harvests wild, local
products such as birch sap, morel mushrooms, and
natural teas. The Yellowknife Farmers Market and the
Northern Frontier Visitors Association are the business’
main markets but there is potential to expand and sell
directly to northern restaurants. Sales are enhanced with
attractive packaging.
Dried products are a relatively easy and inexpensive way
John Colford, Craig Scott and Sam Bullock (photo Ben Nind)
to store and transport food. As traditional harvesters
know, drying is a process that works well in the NWT because the sun dries harvested products quickly.
Arctic Harvest also uses technology to increase evaporation. Community freezers and root cellars are also
good ways to store local harvests. These methods should be supported in government policy, programs,
and regulations.
There are many harvesting opportunities that align with community/northern rhythms – fishing, hunting,
harvesting and gardening. Businesses such as Arctic Wild Harvest and Laughing Lichen are other
11
examples of previous/current businesses that link to these rhythms. The Boreal Herbal6 is an excellent
reference for northern food harvesting and processing.
The Gathering (photo Ben Nind)
John Colford with the GNWT’s Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), is involved in small community
economies. He is implementing three initiatives that arose from the GNWT’s recent Economic
Opportunities Strategy- an agricultural strategy, a business plan for the commercial fishery on Great
Slave Lake, and the morel mushroom harvest.
The GNWT Common Ground economic strategy (2000) showed little interest in agriculture. Today there
is wide-spread interest that even extends to a greenhouse in Paulatuk. Broad acceptance and interest in
agriculture are related to high living costs. An agricultural strategy for the NWT will involve land
mapping to determine the best land for farming; awareness; improving the viability of commercial
gardens; and improving greenhouse technology. Currently a public engagement process on an agricultural
strategy is underway. The GNWT will then produce a “what we heard” document that will lead to a
strategy document.
With Great Slave Lake fishers, ITI is completing a business plan for the fishery. The plan involves the
construction of a new plant and related infrastructure and a change in ownership structure (i.e., it will be
owned by fishers rather than the FFMC). The plan also seeks to restore annual harvest levels; diminish
dependence on the export market; and increases the focus on “what we know is a healthy northern
domestic market” (estimated at 300,000 to 400,000 kg per year). National and international markets are
beyond our control so “the best option is to grow the NWT market and improve the security of supply.”
ITI’s work to promote morel mushroom harvesting responds to the opportunity that was created by the
forest fires in 2014 that burned 34,000 square km of forest, mostly around Great Slave Lake. ITI has
6
http://www.borealherbal.com/
12
completed 19 information sessions in 12 communities; produced a handbook to help pickers; and hosted
walking workshops in the burn areas when the morels develop. ITI fields about 50 phone inquiries per
day about morel mushrooms.
Lunch Time Guest Speaker
The Honourable Michael Miltenberger, GNWT Minister of Environment and
Natural Resources, and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, spoke
about the localized economies movement which began in the 1970s when
people were called “back to the landers.” Today, climate change is causing
previous counter culture ideas to become mainstream thinking. Wood stoves
have morphed into community biomass projects and discussions about
controlling local energy sources. Along with climate change, cost of living is
also driving change. “Living the simple life” has start-up costs but the pay
back is huge.
For the past eight years, the GNWT has promoted renewable energies and
water protection. Transboundary water agreements and the water strategy are
evidence of this. But cost of living remains a priority, especially with respect
Michael Miltenberger (photo Bob
to energy. The GNWT has invested heavily in biomass and now has the most
Wilson)
progressive biomass strategy in the country. The GNWT began by creating a
market by installing biomass in GNWT buildings. In addition to serious investment, the GNWT is
changing regulations and working to create northern biomass products with Brad Mapes in Hay River.
More affordable and improved solar technology is also creating new opportunities. The GNWT has
developed a solar strategy and supported installations in communities such as Fort Simpson, Colville
Lake, and Lutsel k'e. Reducing energy costs can positively impact food prices and the sustainability of
small communities.
The GNWT recently increased its borrowing limit. This provides some latitude to help communities get
off diesel – “every community has the opportunity to get off diesel.” There are wind opportunities for
Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk that could cut the price of energy in half and pay for itself in five to seven years.
In Yellowknife, aging infrastructure and low water levels are challenging. There is a need to pursue
alternatives to redirect spending and capture the $100m diesel market in the City. There is also a need to
invest in critical infrastructure, specifically a road to Norman Wells, so there are fewer land locked
communities and costs in the Sahtu can be lowered. The GNWT will be applying to the Federal
Government for cost-shared funding to make this investment.
Minister Miltenberger referred to Canada winning the ‘fossil of the year’ award at the climate change
forum in Copenhagen. Lack of federal leadership does not negate the work being done locally and
regionally to address climate change. Local and regional governments can’t wait for the federal
government to do it. “We all share a responsibility to be leaders of a new economy.”
13
Generating Our Own Energy
Dave Thompson, Principal with PolicyLink
Research and Consulting in Victoria, provided an
overview of efforts to localize energy generation
in ways that build local economies and diminish
environmental and social costs. Localized energy
generation is happening around the world,
especially in developing countries where there is
no other infrastructure to compete with. In some
Lois Little, Dwayne Wohlgemuth, Dave Thompson, Remi Gervais, David
ways, the NWT is similar. In fact there are more Krutko, Agaatha Laboucan (photo Ben Nind)
renewable energy projects in the NWT than for
example, in Alberta and British Columbia.
Since 2009, solar PV generation has escalated. China and Germany are the main players. The falling price
per watt partly due to economies of scale which have brought costs in line or below grid costs (gird
parity) is spurring the growth in solar energy. In the US southwest, solar PV is already below the cost of
conventional energy from the grid; by next year, this should be the case in all but three states. In India,
diesel is 10% more expensive than solar PV but parity is expected in the near future. Around the world,
new generation capacity is 90% from fossil fuel alternates. Among the drivers of renewable energies are
the risks associated with diesel combustion. Diesel exhaust contains benzene, arsenic, formaldehyde, and
many other chemicals which produce smog and are known human carcinogens and contributors to cardiovascular and cardio-pulmonary risks.
Renewable energies are clean and harness rather than aggravate climatic conditions. Other positive
benefits come from the contribution they make to local economies. Unlike oil and gas which are the worst
performer in terms of jobs and multiplier effects on the local economy, an investment in renewable
energy is an investment in local jobs and businesses.
Panel 3: Ways to Meet Our Personal and Community Energy Needs
Four panelist explained the ways they are working on meeting local energy.
Remi Gervais, Energy Management Specialist, City of Yellowknife, explained that the municipality is
reviewing its Community Energy Plan. In doing so the City is mindful of the factors that have the greatest
impact on local job creation. Bike friendly communities create the most jobs. Yellowknife is still reliant
on fossil fuels but has many opportunities to use other energy sources and grow the local economy.
Energy consumed in transportation can be reduced through reduction of waste, increases in local food
production, and moving to electrified transportation. Battery costs are plummeting – lithium ion batteries
are making large systems economic. In terms of home energies, options include converting heating with
oil to biomass for example, using pellet boilers. However, solar energy is the most cost effective option
for residential units. The economic case for moving to renewables exists so the challenge for governments
is to figure out how to facilitate it. The City has identified high density energy demand areas. It is testing
residential scale heat pumps; a 20 kW solar PV system for the field house; planning two big biomass
14
installations (for a 60% heat load); and putting LED lighting everywhere.
Energy demand has doubled in the last 10 years but through investments
in renewables, the City has reduced greenhouse gas (GHF) emissions by
25%; increased renewable energy use by 12%; and achieved a 20% return
($650,000 in 2013-14).
The City will consider several actions for its updated energy plan
including: more community gardens; using waste streams as energy
sources ($8 million of material is landfilled each year); funding programs
for efficient solar and biomass retrofits and installation; and EV charge
stations.
Agatha Laboucan, Senior Administrative Officer, Lutsel k'e Dene First
Nation, described the community’s solar PV project. The project recently
received the prestigious national Canadian Solar Industries Association
Game Changer award. Part of the project involved training students for
installation and maintenance. Three local people completed the training.
They will maintain the installation. The project involves 144 panels in
three rows. The panels are subject to the reflectivity of snow in winter so
are adjusted to be almost vertical; in summer, the panels are at about 60
degrees.
The First Nation’s project will sell 35 kW back to NTCP and will reduce From Remi Gervais’ presentation
the amount of diesel used in the community. The costs of maintaining solar PV is low especially if
projects avoid trackers which are problematic. It seems that the main deterioration of the panels occurs in
the first two years but overall is limited to less than one per cent over the life of the system. Because the
technology is new, it is unknown how long these systems last.
David Krutko, representing the Tetlit Gwich'in Council in Fort McPherson, described the community’s
biomass project. In the winter of 1997, the power plant burned down and local people realized the
vulnerability of a community dependent on diesel. Only people who had woodstoves had heat. The elders
asked why wood wasn’t being used like in the old days. Elders inspired the community to take back
control of its heating systems. The community’s forestry management plan provides the necessary
framework for sourcing local biomass.
In a joint venture with the development corporation, the Tetlit Gwich'in Council decided to use its office
building as the site for a biomass project. The Council also entered into an agreement with the school and
NTPC to use residual heat and re-invest savings in the education system. The biomass boiler is designed
for wood pellets but can also use cord wood and chips. The project is not perfect because pellets are
expensive and have to be imported – they cost $12 a bag compared to $5 in Yellowknife. But the
community is working on solutions, again with guidance from the elders. They advised harvesting and
chopping willows for fuel. However, the willows need to be stored/dried for a year or two before burning
so the Council hired community people to cut 50 cords of wood. This enables the boiler to be maintained
during the day with cord wood and run at night on pellets. By using local wood, the band office has cut
15
heating costs by 40%. The goal is to stop importing
pellets and use only local wood. This way money for
energy can be kept in the community and invested in
local labour.
The high cost of energy is negatively impacting NWT
communities. Controlling operational costs is possible
if communities can avoid bringing in diesel. Fort
McPherson pays $2/litre for imported diesel. “This is
ridiculous in a community where the average income
is $18,000 and most people in public housing are on
income assistance.” Fort McPherson’s efforts to move From Sheena Adams’ presentation
away from diesel was tenacious and set an example for
the community. The Council with its partners proved it could be done and more money can be retained in
the community as a result. Buy-in from the community was essential to getting others, particularly the
GNWT, to support the project.
The Tetlit Gwich'in Council has also invested in a wood-miser sawmill so the community can produce its
own lumber. In a single project, the community has saved $20,000 by making rather than importing
lumber for a local greenhouse. The community is looking forward to the next generation of technologies
that generate both heat and electricity. In closing, David said that it is important to recognize that
localized economies are not about making money but about keeping money in the community
Dwayne Wohlgemuth, Ko Energy in Yellowknife, agreed that energy self-sufficiency helps keep money
in the community. By working on self-sufficiency, people shift their priorities. “If we work less and spend
more time on sustainable activities such as harvesting and growing, then we don’t need to work as much”
or we can work in different ways such as job share and part-time. Dwayne talked about his own efforts to
be self-sufficient. He explained that he built his house to be energy efficient. He:
 installed drain water heat recovery heat exchangers which pay back very quickly;
 doesn’t use a clothes dryer;
 has double (R40) walls;
 triple pane windows with durable fibreglass frames;
 a composting toilet so fresh drinking water isn’t flushed down the drain;
 on demand water heating;
 a pellet stove; and
From Dwayne Wohlgemuth’s
 a greenhouse on the top floor.
presentation
The annual operating costs for his house are $3,087.
Wood pellets and cordwood are about the same cost in Yellowknife but south of the lake, cord wood is
cheaper than pellets and about 1/3 lower in cost than diesel. The costs and benefits from using local
energy sources could be the basis of a campaign to strengthen local spending and economies.
16
Panel 4: Understanding the Market, Technologies, Costs, and Benefits of Generating Our Own Energy
Four panelists discussed the markets and logistics of localized energy generation.
Mitch Dentinger, NWT Solar in Yellowknife, explained the significance of solar energy achieving grid
parity. This means that the costs of solar is equal to or less than purchasing conventional power from a
utility. Solar energy is growing in large part because of grid parity. The typical system pays for itself in
12-15 years.
Solar energy has zero emissions, little or no maintenance, and is clean and quiet. Local systems installed
20 years ago are still operating. Throughout the NWT, there are lots of solar projects. Still, there are
challenges particularly with respect to outdated and cumbersome regulations and policies (e.g., all solar
installations must approved by an engineer). NWT Solar has also experienced a 20% increase in
equipment costs, in part due to changes in the Canadian dollar and a tariff on Chinese-made solar panels.
Jack Van Camp, Stand Alone Energy in Fort Smith, said that “we
are on the cusp of interesting times and in the infancy of disruptive
technologies such as solar that are becoming dominant forces.
Disruptive technologies can easily take over – remember it only
took 13 years for cars to replace the horse and buggy.” Society is
moving to technologies where one hour of renewable energy is
adequate to run the earth for a year and toward an age of unlimited
energy and possibly a phase of a “squanderable abundance of
energy.” While it is difficult to make predictions about the future, it
is advisable to be mindful of the words of Wayne Gretsky: “skate
to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
Solar energy is the most predictable and reliable energy source. It
is at grid parity in lots of markets. By 2050, technologies including From Jack Van Camp’s presentation
solar crystallions and lithium ion batteries could easily move everyone off fossil fuels. Any project that is
proposed, for example the Site C dam in BC, will have to prove its viability by beating solar. “Solar
energy will be the one to beat.” Renewable energy momentum is gathering around the world. Energy
literacy is key and should be encouraged. In the future, society may not be thinking about energy as dirty
as is the case now, given that it will be coming from a source that is not dirty. Communities should look
forward to the day when energy is not a limiting factor but still recognize that there will always be
limitations.
There are lots of opportunities for the NWT, given that the full, unsubsidized per kW cost of electricity is
$.75/kWh. NWT summer solar is among the best in the world and storage challenges can be addressed
incrementally. Lithium ion batteries offer lots of potential. For example, the Tesla battery pack has cut
storage costs by 75% and will drop another 30% when the new Tesla battery factory comes on line. Other
technologies are coming that will further influence the energy picture including flow batteries, power to
liquid fuels, artificial photosynthesis, and seawater to fuel. Savings are accruing everywhere. The Diavik
Diamond Mine has saved $5 million in annual diesel costs through the use of wind.
17
Distributed generation may cause economic difficulties for NTPC as customers leave or buy less. But
‘smart grids’ link production to demand/load so that excess is not produced and wasted. The grid is
important and an essential public service. As such, it is preferable to continue to encourage collective
(community or government) rather than individual ownership of new technologies and distribution
systems. The GNWT should be investing in this. While there may be concern about the GNWT ending up
with stranded assets, it should be recognized that NTCP’s high costs are due to fuel not capital costs.
Further, diesel can always be used as a backup.
Nina Larsson, Energy North in Yellowknife, said that the NWT is a leader in biomass. There are 100
wood pellet installations which is more than any other region. There are several different biomass systems
in NWT communities. The Norman Wells system is a good example. The some 80 customers in that
community who burn 1,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually. The community has a local storage system
and distributor. Large institutions such as the airport and school are anchors in the system. Similarly, in
Inuvik a local business person has a 100 tonne storage facility. The NWT has 16 trained installers. Energy
North has installed 60 boilers. The pay-back timeline is 5-10 years.
The reasons for biomass successes are: an industry driven market; GNWT policy and program support,
which makes them the main client; GNWT investment; and Arctic Energy Alliance subsidy programs for
conversions to biomass heat. The NWT Biomass Energy Association7 is working with the GNWT to
improve policies and regulation of the industry. For example, a discussion paper seeks to address such
issues as insurance.8 Although not a requirement of regulators, insurers require backup heating for pellet
systems.
Sheena Adams, Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA), Inuvik, explained that rebates offered for wood stoves
and other energy efficient installations contribute to the local economy through energy savings. The
further an energy source has to travel to be used, the more expensive it is, and the more valuable savings
are. Overall about 20% of income in the NWT is directly or indirectly spent on energy. This amount could
be reduced.
If each individual or household did an energy ‘selfie’, they
would see what fuels are used; how they are used; where they
come from; and how to redirect spending and create more
local jobs and strengthen the local economy. This is the
approach used in community energy planning – it starts with
a community energy profile. For example in 2008, Inuvik’s
total energy cost was $30,000,000. Household energy costs
was $3,840,000. If local households saved 10%, that would
be $384,000 extra in the community. In Ulukhaktok, nonresidential buildings spend $801,305 annually on energy. If
each building saved 10%, there would be $80,135 more
From Sheena Adams’ presentation
dollars in the community. Ways to conserve energy include:
7
https://edgeyk.com/article/already-a-biomass-innovator-the-nwt-is-now-developing-local-supply-options/
http://nwtbiomassenergy.ca/work/
8
18









not using a clothes dryer;
using cold water to wash clothes;
taking shorter showers;
turning off fans and lights when not in use;
using blinds and curtains;
reducing ‘vampire power’ (or stand-by systems that leave TVs, computers, etc. in a sleep mode);
using energy efficient appliances;
walking or biking rather than driving; and
growing food locally.
There are lots of benefits to investing in renewable energies. Renewables are a way to capture dollars at
the community level. Several renewable projects are operating successfully in the Mackenzie-Beaufort
Region including a solar project in Sachs Harbour; the Fort McPherson biomass project; and the storage
and distribution infrastructure for wood pellets in Inuvik. In Inuvik, this new infrastructure supports pellet
stoves and is resulting in a cost saving of about 30% to users.
Taking Our Power Back
Diana Gibson, Principal of PolicyLink Research and Consulting in Victoria, discussed the
interdependent relationship of community governance, local economies, and well-being. She explained
that the predominant ‘smoke stack chasing’ approach to the economy evident today is one of attracting
outside investors and making people fit into that economy. The goal should be ‘economic gardening’, an
approach where the economy serves communities and local residents rather than outside investors. “We
should be supporting local economies that grow from the ground up and
aren’t imposed on us.” A fundamental shift in thinking needs to occur to
support economic gardening. Governments need to recognize that
wellbeing is both a cause and effect of a healthy community and local
economy. Policies and programs also need to shift to recognize and value
human networks, volunteerism, a moose that is harvested and shared with
others, and other forms of social capital. “It isn’t just about paycheques.”
Healthy communities and local economies are also about social justice
because they honour First Nations rights, include women, and have a
place for all community members.
Fro Dia a Gi so ’s prese tatio
It is a myth that people are sitting around waiting for outside corporations to create local economies.
Local economies already exist, each with strengths and assets. They just need to be recognized and
supported. On all measures, local economies deliver better than those based on outside investments. Local
economies:



Create small, local businesses;
Deliver more jobs;
Better distribute income;
19



Improve well-being for more people;
Are more inclusive; and
Have the biggest impact on poverty reduction.
These impacts are well documented in a 2013 study in British Columbia9 which shows the multiplier
effect of local independent businesses. For example, independent businesses have twice the amount of
economic impact as large chain stores (e.g., businesses owned by one firm and spread nationwide or
worldwide like Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire). Local businesses recirculate more than 2.6 times as much
revenue in the local economy as chain stores (46.3% compared to 17.8% for chains).
Another myth is that taxes have to be low to build economies. Taxes aren’t what attract people and build
economies. People and businesses are attracted by the availability of healthy workers who are well
housed, educated and skilled; social and family cohesion; and overall quality of life. Because these factors
are so important, this is where governments should be investing in order to support local economies.
Further, the return is more than double for every $1 government invests in growing healthy workers and
community environments.
As a political economist, Diana mourns the demise of progressive economic analysis and the rise of
mainstream economics that considers government as an outside annoyance. The reality is that without
good government, there is no economy. While policy is difficult to get right, it exists for good reasons.
One reason is to support local communities and residents. The meme that government “red tape” is
problematic often implies eliminating public policy but what is really needed is to reorient or tweak
policy so that it truly supports local communities, infrastructure, and people – “that’s just good
governance.”
Panel 5: Governance for Community Empowerment and Control
Local governments which include First Nation land corporations in the Sahtu Region, play an important
role in building localized economies. Four panelists
explained the role they play.
Arthur Tobac, Business Manager with Ne’rahten
Development Ltd., the business arm of the Yamoga
Land Corporation in Fort Good Hope, explained the
various sections of the Sahtu Dene and Metis
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (1993) that
influence the major role that land corporations play
in local economies. Specifically, there are permitted
activities under Chapter 11 and economic measures
under Chapter 12, both which include a wide array
of potential social and economic activities. Land
9
Mobile food processing unit in Fort Good Hope (from Arthur Tobac’s
presentation)
http://locobc.com/2013/02/19/civic-economics-release-bc-study/
20
Corporations are often called upon to flow
money to local social enterprises that provide
services and contribute to the economy.
The Yamoga Land Corporation President and
Board members are elected to three year
terms and set priorities in consultation with
the community. In 2012, the Land
Corporation hosted a multi-sector,
community-based economic forum to set out
priorities. Local people at the forum were
clear that the community can’t rely on the oil
and gas industry which comes and goes and
often brings few benefits. Also, the
Drying country food (from Arthur Tobac’s presentation)
community faces barriers to participation
such as lack of education and training. Consequently, Fort Good Hope chose to focus on the local
economy because it is sustainable and has fewer barriers for local people. Further, a local economy
enables a focus on families rather than individuals; a way to grow local businesses; and more capacity to
address the high cost of living, especially of food and fuel. (High living costs were exacerbated in 2014
because low water levels meant that the annual supply barge was unable to get to Fort Good Hope.)
There is interest locally in earning income from local meat and fish processing and exports. The Land
Corporation purchased a mobile unit to facilitate processing and the storage of country foods. The unit is
not yet functioning due to lack of local capacity (e.g., a trained manager) to manage and respond to
quotas, food safety regulations, and inspections. A follow-up plan is needed to operationalize the unit.
The Corporation also supports community gardening, annual geese harvesting and drying of this highly
desired product, and community hunts. The annual geese hunt is supported in part, through a negotiated
arrangement with Great Slave Helicopters to provide 20 hours of flying time because it is safer to fly to
the hunting area than travel by ice/water. Traditional economic activities engage community hunters and
gatherers and use local skills. The Corporation also supports a traditional hunting camp to teach moose
hide tanning and is looking into ways to promote the much sought after Fort Good Hope arts and crafts.
The community benefits from the traditional economy. In fact, for every $1 government invests $7 are
returned.
The Corporation invests in renewable energy technologies in partnership with the Arctic Energy Alliance
and the GNWT. This partnership involved the purchase of 30 high efficiency wood stoves. While the
stoves were costly due to transportation costs, the savings to homeowners are substantial.
Promoting traditional and cultural events, the feasibility of a hotel with a standalone restaurant, and ways
to accrue benefits from the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Project are other economic endeavours being
pursued. The Corporation has for example, sponsored Class 1 driver training (7 graduates to date), safety
training, and level 1chain saw training to meet standards required for work on the fibre optic project. To
support tourism in the community and region, infrastructure and partnerships with other communities to
create packages are needed.
21
Andrew Cassidy, Mayor of the Town of Hay River, participated via Skype. Local governments together
with the NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC) and other orders of government (e.g., indigenous,
territorial, and federal) have significant roles in building local economies. Partnerships are the way
governments can effectively support local economies as they improve access to resources and capacity.
For instance, partnerships between recreation groups and the Town of Hay River expanded capacity to
host events and bring in funding (e.g., a parent led skate park project raised 50% of needed funds). A
partnership between the communities of Hay River and Fort Smith made it possible to bid for the 2018
Arctic Winter Games.
The Town of Hay River works in partnership with NFTI to respond to a shared interest in the local
economy and addressing living costs and food production capacity. The Town facilitated the development
of the first agricultural strategy in the NWT; zoned agricultural lands; leased (for a period of 10 years)
vacant farm land to NFTI; and worked with other partners such as CanNor and Aurora College to secure
funding and expertise. The Town has an arrangement to flow through funding to NFTI and is helping to
address regulations that are challenging the new organization. Through this partnership, NFTI is taking
shape as a cutting edge institution that will be a catalyst for food security across the circumpolar north.
Partnerships require lots of effort. Each partner must know their role and be clear about their interests and
what they can bring to the table. This is critical to their success. To complement the power partnerships to
build localized economies, community champions like Jackie Milne are needed.
Mark Heyck, Mayor of the City of Yellowknife, agreed that local governments do a lot to build local
economies and wellbeing. In Yellowknife, wellbeing includes higher education and training but in the
City, this in part, requires a much needed expansion to Aurora College. This is an area that the City has
had difficulty influencing.
The City of Yellowknife’s strategy for economic growth and diversification is the basis for encouraging
local spending in part, to counter online shopping. The City
has launched social media campaigns such as #shopyk and
partnership initiatives including the Dine Out Yellowknife and
Be a Tourist in Your Own Community initiatives. The City is
also involved in downtown revitalization. Revitalization
efforts include diversifying business models, tax incentives,
and business improvement districts incentives (e.g., special tax
levies that are returned to a business for improvement
purposes).
The City has experienced an incredible growth in tourism. The From Mayor Mark Heyck’s presentation
Mackenzie River Bridge is one of the factors contributing to
this. Aurora Village is one local business that is “really picking up the ball and stimulating the industry.”
The City is aware that Yellowknife is seen nationally as an exotic locale for meetings; and conferences
and convention attendees have a higher level of spending than other forms of tourism. The GNWT has
created a conference promotion bureau and the City is looking at creating a destination marketing
campaign and encouraging the development of local infrastructure. The City has also identified the need
for a distinct tourism strategy.
22
Yellowknife has a strong track record of community energy planning and encouraging the use of local
energies. Currently, the City is renewing its Community Energy Plan. The City has aggressively moved to
biomass in public facilities which has reduced costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Consideration is now
being given to local improvement charges as a way to foster the use of renewable energies. This would
have the municipality finance renewable energy projects which are then paid back through taxes. This
arrangement would mean no risk to government and tying renewable energy investment to the property. A
review is underway to address territorial regulatory/policy impediments to this approach.
The City supports local food production. It provides public space and support for the very successful
Yellowknife Farmers’ Market; designates space for community gardens in the design of new
neighbourhoods; and will develop its own agriculture plan and policies. The City will also provide input
into the development of an NWT agricultural strategy.
The City is aware of the importance of the mining sector and its economic benefits to Yellowknife, the
NWT, and First Nation businesses. In order to derive as much benefit as possible, the City is looking at
gaps in supports to the mining industry and ways to grow businesses to service the sector.
Danny Bahya, Deline Land
Corporation, explained that his
organization is similar to the Yamoga
Land Corporation in Fort Good Hope.
The same land claim provisions
apply. Deline and Fort Good Hope
also deal with similar cost of living,
energy, education and training, and
transportation issues. The
Joe Hanlon, Arthur Tobac, Danny Bayha and Mark Heyck (photo Ben Nind)
communities also have lots of
opportunities to grow their
economies. As a community, Deline believes in thinking positively and focusing on opportunities rather
than the challenges. It is important to have a family focus to economic initiatives and to always ask “what
are our children learning” and “what values are we communicating.
Deline doesn’t have extractive industries like mines or oil and gas development so it must look at local
economic activities. The Land Corporation has a vision of community-based businesses and active
harvesting activities. As such, it works from a business model that puts priority on creating and sustaining
local employment and services rather than being solely profit driven.
The Deline Land Corporation completed a strategy to set priorities. Training was one so the Corporation
offers scholarships and bursaries. Addressing the high cost of living was another because it is very
difficult for a young family to make ends meet. “Going back to our roots is a way we can make a
difference and keep the culture and traditions alive in the children.” The Corporation supports projects
that reconnect people with the land because these activities “bring you back to the reality about what is
truly needed to survive.” On the land projects promote self-sufficiency and the skills to be self-sufficient.
For example, moose hide tanning work facilitates passing on values, as does berry picking.
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While connecting people to the land is a way to address cost of living and other issues, the benefits are
not necessarily measurable in monetary ways. Self-government is another tool for supporting local
economies. The Deline self-government agreement will become law in June. The community also has a
land use plan which provides a road map for bringing different world views together and encouraging
diverse economic endeavours. One of these endeavours is tourism which is showing some promise for the
community. The ‘Destination Deline’ website is an example of the community’s efforts to promote
tourism.10
Other economic activities being pursued by the Corporation are:
 Involving local people and businesses in remediating the old Terra Mine site.
 Addressing the high cost of power through a feasibility study on a run of the river power
installation on the Bear River. The study is expected to be completed this summer.
Danny stressed that partnerships and communications inside the community and with other communities
are key to building strong local economies. It is also important to have regular discussions about local
economies like those occurring at this Gathering.
Panel 6: Community Empowerment Through Socio-Economic Wellbeing
This four-member panel looked at building local economies through
collective efforts that engender and inspire social well-being.
Suzette Montreuil with the NWT No Place for Poverty Coalition,
explained that poverty prevents people from actively participating in their
community and in economic activities. Poverty creates loses for everyone.
Alberta estimates that $7 billion in income is lost annually due to poverty.
From Suzette Montreuil’s presentation
Poverty is a construct of economic and social policy that supports certain
rights and ignores others. Around the world, there is increasing polarization of society, with less contact
and interaction among people of different income levels. This is particularly true between First Nations
and others in the NWT. Poverty among First Nations is dire. Further, poverty is made more corrosive to
the fabric of society when abundance rejoices through driving up housing prices or the costs of food.
Some say we can’t afford to fund efforts to reduce poverty. But in a rich country like Canada, public
funds are squandered by spending $120,000 a year to keep an individual in jail.
“People who are more wealthy, are more healthy.” This was illustrated in a recent study in Hamilton,
Ontario. The study found a 21 year gap in life span between Hamilton’s poorest and richest
neighborhoods. Poor neighbourhoods had high rates of mental health emergencies and in some, a higher
incidence of low weight babies than sub-Saharan Africa. This type of discrepancy exists in every city in
Canada. “We have a plague among us. It is not AIDS or Ebola; it is poverty.”
Canada needs an anti-poverty action plan that involves everyone including businesses, working together
to eliminate poverty. Business involvement in anti-poverty work is critical because they have the
10
http://destinationdeline.com/
24
purchasing and investing power and human
skills needed to create local wealth and a place
for everyone in the local economy. Because
cooperatives have a community development
orientation, this business model has a lot of
potential for addressing poverty. This model
would be strengthened by more government
support for cooperatives.
In 2010, several community groups in the NWT
formed the No Place for Poverty Coalition and
began lobbying the GNWT to develop a poverty
elimination plan. The resulting GNWT AntiPoverty Action Plan has five pillars, all of which
are related to and/or fit with building localized
economies:
1. Children and family support,
2. Healthy living and reaching our potential, From Suzette Montreuil’s presentation
3. Safe and affordable housing,
4. Sustainable communities, and
5. Integrated continuum of services.
The GNWT is offering grants for anti-poverty work. The projects are diverse from traditional moose hide
tanning in Somba’ke to sustaining Inuvialuit community harvests to supporting a community kitchen in
Inuvik to funding a campaign to achieve a living wage in Yellowknife. All these diverse projects
contribute to building localized economies.
The Caledon Institute for Social Policy11 has three building blocks for poverty reduction: 1) adequate,
stable housing, 2) adequate education and training, and 3) income security. If the NWT’s anti-poverty
efforts are compared to these fundamental steps, it is clear that some work is being done. But more
society-wide buy-in and meaningful, sustained support are needed. In particular, the Government of
Canada needs to continue rather than abandon its important role in social housing. Priority must be given
to early childhood (e.g., a child’s first three years) and the federal government needs to fulfill its
responsibilities for, and ensure the equality of education for First Nations children and youth. Income
security can be addressed by decent pay, associated benefits and safe work; and improving income
through income replacement, income supplements, a basic income guarantee, and/or a living wage, and
by reducing costs. A living wage should be voluntary and initially engage employers for whom it is
easiest. The benefits of a living wage need to be promoted. These benefits include less turn-over and
recruitment costs, customer loyalty, and stronger multiplier effects in the community (e.g., as people
make more money they spend more).
11
http://www.caledoninst.org/
25
A Gathering participant commented that many northerners are “stressing out about poverty.” Moose hide
tanning and other on-the-land practices are goods way to respond to this stress. But communities need
leadership and confidence to break out of the trap that poverty creates. Suzette agreed. Anti-poverty work
is human rights work, not charity. Efforts to address poverty need to leave people feeling better about
themselves, not more dependent.
Paul Cressman, Cressman Consulting in Yellowknife,
described wilderness therapy programming in the Tli Cho
Region. Two programs - Tlicho Imbe (summer) and
Wilderness Safety - are paths to wellbeing, a strong local
economy, and to becoming ‘strong like two people.’ Tlicho
Imbe is a summer employment program that reconnects
returning post-secondary and senior high school students with
elders, language and traditional on the land skills, and job, life
and safety skills. The Program rotates throughout the Tlicho
Region with different communities hosting it each year. It is
the basis for developing leadership skills, self-esteem, and
From Paul Cressman’s presentation
cultural and community connections. The greatest challenge is
language learning, an area where the Tlicho Imbe Program has not been able to show improvement.
The Wilderness Safety Training Program began last year. The bilingual Program responds to the
attributes and realities of Tlicho life. It combines Western and Tlicho ways of knowing in a
comprehensive approach to certifying outdoor experts; reinforcing the value of traditional knowledge; and
building essential wellness, job, financial literacy, tourism, and small business skills. By blending two
worlds, people can truly be “strong like two people.” Tlicho-specific teaching resources (e.g., safety
materials) reflect these realities. Participants are likely to be under/unemployed and face barriers. The
Program helps skilled individuals get the certification they need to move from being experts on the land
to being outdoor professionals. Program graduates become instructors. These on the land experts are
highly employable – they “want the opportunity to work.”The Program can also be run in high schools, in
other regions, and by governments and business (e.g., mining and exploration companies).
Wilderness Safety Program graduates are highly motivated
and skilled but they don’t have year-round work
opportunities as there is no land-based tourism activities or
other non-seasonal opportunities (e.g., in forestry work) for
graduates to move into. Further, some graduates are not in a
position to collect EI as the employment season is too short.
Graduates also lack administrative and computer skills and
the financial resources to start their own enterprises. Young
people have new ideas for stimulating land-based, cultural
activities but they too need the support of the community to
From Paul Cressman’s presentation
make these ideas a priority. There is an opportunity to look at
a cooperative business model to promote cultural and eco-tourism. For example, the Tli Cho online store
is an avenue to promote cultural tourism.
26
Deneze Nakhek’o, a member of Dene Nahjo, explained that the group is now two-years old. It has a
vision of “land, language, and culture forever.” Dene Nahjo grew from the Idle No More movement
which was a reaction to federal omnibus budget bills that eliminated water protection and threatened
indigenous rights and land stewardship responsibilities.
Dene Nahjo has focused on land based activities such as moose hide tanning and tool making. Lessons
from traditional activities and the experts involved are the foundations for building community and the
relationships necessary for people to have a sense of place and identity. For example, moose hide tanners
need to have a trust relationship with harvesters and elders, and have the skills to read and appreciate the
land (e.g., to find dahshaa, the rotting wood needed to properly tan a moose hide). Dene Nahjo also
organized the first indigenous women’s circumpolar gathering which was designed to build a network of
support and relationships between youth and mentors, who are leaders in social and political change.
Traditional knowledge is ancient and virtually ingrained in First Nations peoples but rapid resource
development threatens Dene values. Dene Nahjo is cognizant of the need to maintain strong relationships
with the land so food sources are secure. Political and community support are barriers at times, but real
opportunities exist to do things that make sense for Denendeh. Denendeh has a lot of skilled artists with
different traditions to share but northerners don’t always show pride and celebrate the mastery of local
artists and ensure that these skills are not under-valued. Dene Nahjo is looking at setting up a cultural
centre as a way to mentor and promote Dene skills, knowledge, and culture. At the moment, this work is
being done by volunteers.
Deneze said that the Tlicho Region has the strongest government because it was created by the people
while all others have been inherited. This is empowering. It gives people the strength to confront
colonization. “All indigenous people alive today come from the strongest of the strong.” This is a source
of pride and a way to get out of the cycle of poverty. “When we realize where we come from, what we
know and how we have survived, we have pride and identity. We recognize that indigenous people are
really amazing.”
From Giselle Marion’s presentation
Rosalind Mercredi is the founder of Down to Earth Gallery in Yellowknife. The Down to Earth Gallery
is a collective that sells art made in the north. It started with an idea and commitment, rather than any
investment or grants. It has operated for ten years. Running the Gallery is not about making money but
27
about making and facilitating art, and ensuring that artists get a fair return for their work which is not
always the case with commercial galleries. Art is a way to share and tell stories. It is important to identity
and place, and sense of community.
At the beginning, the Gallery sold art for six artists; today, it sells art from 90 artists. Indigenous art is a
primary focus for the Gallery. Art is sold primarily on consignment but the Gallery tries to respond to
artists who need money up front (e.g., to buy family necessities). The Gallery also tries to help artists who
have difficulty getting supplies (e.g., moose hide). It also facilitates connections and mentors artists and
the art community. It is really part of the “huge art-based cottage industry in the NWT.”
Promotion and events are central to the Gallery’s success. Promotional efforts inspired the now annual
Old Town Ramble and Ride festival that includes musicians and storytellers, the annual Isolation Art
Show at the Snowcastle, and the Anonymous Arts Show.
In response to a comment about the lack of community involvement in the Fort McPherson tent and
canvas shop and lack of marketing of local products (causing people to go as far away as Anchorage to
sell their arts and crafts), Rosalind agreed that marketing is a central issue for artists. People have pride in
their work and a story to share but often these elements are overlooked by commercial enterprises.
Isolation Art Show at the Snowcastle (from the Down to Earth Gallery website)
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Breaking the Mould
Bob Bromley, Weledeh MLA and Erin Freeland
Ballantyne, Dechinta Centre for Research and
Learning, spoke about reshaping the economy,
reclaiming citizenship, and taking back control of the
Commons/public spaces.
Bob referred to David Korten, an American author,
former Harvard Business School professor, political
activist, and prominent critic of corporate
globalization, as a significant influence on his
Bob Bromley and Erin Freeland Ballantyne (photo Ben Nind)
thinking and understanding of the threats to the
natural world and our civilization. These threats are new and have grown in strength as societies have
shifted from a collective, spiritual, and matriarchal orientation to a mechanization and patriarchal mindset
without connections to the natural world. In a globalized world, citizens have lost control of their local
economies to homeless transnational corporations. These forces are destroying local economies and the
Commons. “We’ve lost the safety of being on the land as Arthur Tobac mentioned.” Society is on the
brink of decisions that will define lives today and in the future.
“The natural world is our life source; it is beyond any price.” Scientists and indigenous knowledge
holders are providing evidence that the planet is changing in ways that are leading to dangerous climate
change. Societies need to quickly move to ‘living wealth economics’ or economies with balance and
diversity that serve both the natural and human worlds. Continuing to treat money and markets as sacred
is fueling destructive forces in the natural world and in human relationships. Elders remind northerners of
the urgency of reconnecting with the land and human values and setting NWT communities on a new
path. Youth are hearing this message and are leading the way.
“Stories guide so much of our thinking. Northerners have an opportunity to create a new story and
challenge transactions that aren’t related to human values.” Indigenous knowledge can set northerners on
a new course and give hope for the future.
Erin agreed that stories are all around us and the opportunity exists to tell new stories. Northerners have
an opportunity to regain respect for the land and economic control rather than having people from
elsewhere shaping the NWT in ways that will make them rich and leave people in the north poor. A living
wealth economy is one that is focused on the land, people, and their communities rather than on profit.
A living wealth economy is here and gathering momentum but it is running up against non-responsive
governments and bureaucracy. Policies don’t favour relationships with the natural world despite
overwhelming evidence supporting the inter-relationship of human and natural environmental health. This
inter-relationship is at the heart of healthy people, communities, and economies. Around the world, the
evidence of how petro-capitalism results in insecurity, inequality, violence against women, and
devastation in our communities is irrefutable. More northerners are becoming aware of and rejecting the
culture and implications of petro-capitalism.
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The significant disconnect between government policy and human values and aspirations is a situation
that needs correction. Governments and decision making structures must be influenced and changed to
support people to “live our values.” Northerners can be this change and (re)imagine a better world and the
kind of government needed. “If we love the land and take care of it, we can be stronger and better off
individually and in our families and communities. If we can reflect that in government, then we don’t
need nine different signatures to get support for a camp on the land.” “We have lots of big ideas and big
hearts in this room” to make this happen.
“The land is our past and our future. This is the story umbrella we need to shelter under to move us
forward in the ways we want and value.”
Panel 7: Localized Economy Trail Blazers
Four panelists spoke about their business successes and challenges and the ways they are influencing
local economies.
AJ Sanders, Arctic Green Energy, spoke over lunch and as a panelist. He described the work of his
company in the biomass industry. The developing biomass industry in the NWT is a carbon neutral,
closed loop from the bush to burning. The industry is focused on the domestic rather than the export
market because there is little opportunity for export and it is expensive to import energy. The benefits of a
domestic biomass industry include local employment, lower living costs, a smaller carbon footprint, and
opportunities for partnerships (e.g., greenhouses can use surplus heat). To maximize benefits, a market
and a workable regulatory regime are needed.
Arctic Green Energy is focused on building district energy systems and local investment. The company
believes this approach can help the NWT deal with the realities of aging infrastructure; create local
employment and energy self-sufficiency; and contribute to a sustainable economy. District energy
systems aggregate the heat load to maximize efficiencies because boilers run continuously rather than
cycling on and off. Further, there are multiple intervention
points to increase the security of the system. District energy
systems spread initial capital costs across numerous
buildings. This eliminates cost barriers associated with
individual units. Currently, it costs about $35,000 to install
a residential boiler. Costs can also be high with residential
pellet stoves as the burning unit tends to require
replacement every two years. Heating collectives that
involve a large anchor client can ensure maximum
efficiency and access – “everybody the pipe goes by
Paige Saunders, AJ Sanders, Giselle Marion, and Amos
should be connected” to the district energy system.
Scott (photo Ben Nind)
Europe has district energy networks serving residential needs but in the NWT only governments have
opted for this model. An example of a district energy system is the Yellowknife Correctional Centre, the
City’s fieldhouse, and Inukshuk Housing Co-op heating network. Another district energy system is under
30
development at the Yellowknife airport. It is expected that markets will expand however, as the model
rolls out and northerners see that the pay back is attractive – 15% to 35% lower costs.
Arctic Green Energy is planning to move away from wood pellets to locally harvested wood. However,
building a forestry industry is a necessary first step which could take 20 - 25 years. Local harvests make
the most economic sense and are possible in many northern communities but would likely require
mechanized harvesting and chipping in order to achieve the required supply. Local harvests would use
dried, forest fire killed trees; avoid the use of virgin forests; and be restricted to winter in order to protect
the land. While there has been no study about the carrying capacity of northern forests, the company is
optimistic that adequate capacity exists to support the developing biomass industry.
Arctic Green Energy is also looking into combining heat and power production and recently completed a
feasibility study on this opportunity for the GNWT. Electricity generation can be a by-product of district
heating systems. The company will begin working on combining heat and power production in
Yellowknife with the intent of moving to smaller communities in five to seven years. The company has
no interest in being a power distributer. Thus, energy generated in Yellowknife would be tied to the grid.
Paige Saunders, SOS/ZJYK Academy/Edge, explained that running a business allows individuals to
work with people they like and to do things they like to do. Fear of failure is a main reason many people
don’t go into business. But some level is failure is associated with most business ventures so this
shouldn’t be a deterrent. Failure is part of the experience of running a business.
Many businesses fail because people start enterprises that compete for a small market. Competing with
existing businesses is not a good start-up strategy. It is better to find a distinct niche and a market that is
under served. The niche Paige found was Yellowknifers wanting to learn Chinese, so he started a
language school in China. He also found a niche in web work so he
bought into Edge and used his skills to develop it as a web-based news
portal. He hopes to expand web work outside of Yellowknife to
elsewhere in the NWT. Many people interested in web work can
acquire skills locally or on-the-job. People can also acquire skills
using on-line tutorials such as through Lynda.com.12
Giselle Marion, manager of the Tlicho Online Store,13 explained that
the business began with a showroom mainly selling traditional
clothing on a consignment basis. In 2008, the Store went online and
today sells everything from Tlicho Government flags to people in
New York to moccasins and mitts in Europe. The goal of the Tlicho
Online Store is to discover, preserve, recreate and celebrate the
cultural heritage of the north, and the Tlicho First Nation in particular. From Giselle Marion’s presentation
12
http://www.lynda.com/Web-training-tutorials/88-0.html
http://onlinestore.tlicho.ca/
13
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The Online Store’s marketing strategy is to sell the story and the authenticity of products. The pride and
strength of Tlicho arts and crafts are fundamental elements of the stories told. “We personalize products
and share the story of who we are.” Tlicho art is part of a living culture that is vibrant and strong.
Partnerships are the key to success. The Store works in partnership with the artists to tell the story of the
product and with organizations such as historical societies, and all Tlicho communities and governments.
It also organizes special events (e.g., a fashion show for Aboriginal Day) to showcase Tlicho culture and
the artists, and supports sewing groups to ensure that Tlicho art remains vibrant.
The Online Store uses seven social media sites as promotional tools. The Store has a “me and my
moccasins” program where people can take photos of what they buy and how they use the product, for
example the story of me and my moccasins in Sweden or in Antarctica. To keep the business fresh and to
expand opportunities for the local economy, the Store is looking at ways to move into tourism so that
customers are not only buying authentic products but also experiencing authentic Tlicho culture.
Amos Scott, president of the NWT Professional Media Association, explained that the NWTPMA began
mainly for the purpose of lobbying government for industry-specific seed funding to get film projects
started and to support the industry’s development. He described the NWTPMA’s membership as people
and businesses involved in TV and film production as well as the Western Arctic Moving Pictures
(WAMP) society. There are 106 individuals in 24 companies in the NWT media industry. The industry
has a unique and significant place in the NWT economy and contributes $9.7 million to the GDP.
The media industry is about culture and social justice. It tends to follow a creative economic model in that
it is inclusive of lots of cultural elements, and very much about local communities. The NWTPMA is in
some ways, a conduit for filmmakers and storytellers to tell a story. It is very supportive of authentic
stories told by local people and very sensitive about the need to respect storytellers. This is not always the
case with media from outside the north.
It is tough to make a living in the NWT’s media industry
because there are lots of people doing the same thing in a
very small market. Further, the media world is changing
quickly. For instance, the broadcast distribution model is
disappearing and digital media is taking over. This
means that traditional cable and national broadcasters
have less money to fund projects and independent
producers are having more difficulty competing. While
there are opportunities in digital media such as YouTube
channels, it’s tough to make any money this way as most
of these media are free. It is also difficult for producers
The Gathering (photo Ben Nind)
to move out of the industry because individuals tend to
be very passionate and deeply invested in the industry
and their craft. So the challenge is to always seek new opportunities to use media skills. One opportunity
is in game development, marrying games with culture and language learning, and marketing them as
teaching tools. To be successful and to have truly localized, northern content, both elders and youth need
32
to be involved in production. Elders have the knowledge and youth have the technical interest and skills.
Still, we all need to acknowledge that being with the land is still the best teaching tool so a balance in
learning should also be a guiding principle. People interested in this field can acquire basic skills through
WAMP, which offers skills development workshops.
Panel 8: Reclaiming the Commons – Adaptation and Change
Four panel members described their efforts to reinvigorate relationships with the land and honour
traditions and public spaces in ways that strengthen local economies.
Joe Hanlon, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, explained that the SRRB Board was established under
Chapter 13 of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (1993). The SRRB is one
of three co-management authorities with primary responsibility for lands and resources. The other two are
the Sahtu Land and Water Board and the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board. All function with an
understanding that the region has a mixed traditional and industrial economy. At the community level,
hunters and trappers associations transitioned into
Renewable Resource Councils after the land
claim. Their roles were expanded to include their
own and others research as well as identifying and
addressing community and management priorities.
As much as possible, the SRRB tries to link
community interests and priorities to every
research project. As one participant commented,
there is a significant research economy in the
NWT but it is not always driven by or of benefit to
northerners. There is a need for institutional
change to decolonize methodologies and make
sure that there are local benefits from the northern
research industry.
The SRRB is involved in three projects that
primarily focus on health and climate change
adaptation within the context of traditional
economies.



From Joe Hanlon’s presentation
2013-2014 – Tulita – Health and Climate Change funded by Health Canada which involves youth
and elders making connections on community health and climate change through on the land
activities.
2014-2015 – Sahtu – Youth Network, which brought a group of youth together to focus on the
role and future of the Bluenose caribou herd.
2015-2016 – Deline – Food Security.
Over the past two years, the SRRB has also been working on the Best of Both Worlds Project which
involved an assessment of the mixed economy and community action planning. The work examined the
role of oil and gas development, community participation in the industry, and how young people see
themselves in the future. Because interest in maintaining and supporting traditional activities is strong and
33
many of these are seasonal in nature, there are opportunities to get involved in complementary economic
activities. Tourism is a main interest, particularly among people in Deline.
Stephanie Poole, Lutsel k’e Dene First Nation, is involved in establishing the Thaidene Nene Protected
Area in the First Nation’s traditional territory. It is the responsibility of the First Nation and its members
today to do the Creator’s work and protect the land for future generations, just as the ancestors did in the
past. Doing this kind of work in a colonial society means that all parties have to compromise.
Thaidene Nene is part of the sustainability work being done in the community but not the only thing.
Every effort is being made to ensure that the Lutsel k’e Dene First Nation is positively impacted by and
benefits from Thaidene Nene. Thaidene Nene is expected to create local jobs and tourism opportunities.
The First Nation doesn’t have a land rights settlement and hasn’t signed on to devolution (so it doesn’t
recognize GNWT jurisdiction). As such, it is proceeding under its longstanding agreement with Parks
Canada toward a final protected area arrangement. When the protected area is implemented the
community will have the trained people in place to take up opportunities. For the past seven years, the
community has been training watchers of the land to develop monitoring, research, and traditional
knowledge skills. Elders are the greatest teachers and role models but young people also hold a lot of
traditional knowledge. Thaidene Nene is expected to create 17-18 part-time jobs and five full-time jobs.
There may be as many as 30 seasonal and 20 year-round jobs created through spin-off activities. It is the
expectation that local people will fill these jobs. The area already receives many visitors especially in the
summer but after Thaidene Nene
is formally established, more
visitors are expected as a result
of Parks Canada promotion.
Dahti Tsetso, Dehcho First
Nations, explained that the
Dehcho Region is unique in that
it has no final land claim
agreement to recognize
indigenous land title. But it does
have a very strong position on
conservation that is reflected in
the regional land use plan. The
Dehcho First Nations is seeking
to protect the most heavily used
traditional areas and sacred sites.
Devolution of land and resources
responsibilities to the GNWT has
From Dahti Tsetso’s presentation
caused a pause on protected areas
work, which is very frustrating for local people who have worked for so long to care for the land. In
November 2013, a territorial meeting amongst all those impacted by the territorial pause on protected
areas was a starting point for Dehcho communities to organize internally to protect the land. Regional
34
people took inspiration from Miles Richardson from
Haida Gwaii. A follow-up workshop in Sambaa K’e
examined the Dene perspective of conservation.
Three principles are central to this perspective: 1)
the central place of language to Dene culture and
understanding of the land; 2) implementation of
Dene laws, values, and principles; and 3) the
relationship of elders and youth. Youth need to be
on the land with their elders learning Dene ways.
Being on the land in the Dene way according to
Dene laws, protects the land. “This is evident from
flying over the land which doesn’t show any impact
from thousands of years of Dene use. That’s
conservation.”
From Dahti Tsetso’s presentation
Following the workshops, people in the Dehcho
Region agreed that they knew what to do to care for the land so it was a matter of just doing it – “being
what we say we are.” The Dehcho K’ehodi (Taking Care of the Land) initiative is the result. It is about
learning and being stewards of the land in the Dene way. Dehcho K’ehodi is learning from the British
Columbia Coastal Stewardship Network ‘watchmen’ program and the Thaidene Nene’s community
rangers program.
A regional network is developing to support community projects. The network will build on existing
programs (e.g. Dehcho AAROM) and adapt and expand existing programs to reflect Dene principles of
conservation. Ultimately, this will enable active management of the Dehcho’s protected areas and the
Dehcho Region as a whole. The Dehcho K’ehodi network will collect and share scientific data and
traditional knowledge to help inform decisions and resource management; deliver standardized K’ehodi
identity training and capacity building; and foster communications and opportunities with others to
promote Dene conservation principles. At the moment, Dehcho K’ehodi is an internal initiative but it will
expand to include governments and other institutions as partnerships have an important role to play in the
success of Dehcho K’ehodi.
Thaidene Nene and Dehcho K’ehodi are practices that are beginning to be replicated elsewhere in the
NWT. As one participant commented, the community of Fort McPherson is working with other Gwich’in
communities to get people out on the land as a way to protect the Peel River Basin. This is more
productive in some ways than “spending all our time in courts fighting industry and government that are
going against community wishes.”
Larry Innes, Indigenous Leadership Initiative, International Boreal Conservation Campaign (IBCC), said
that it is important to speak the language of others as a way to reconcile. The language and ‘business as
usual model’ of selling rocks to create money and jobs are at odds with many NWT communities and
local economies. While one-quarter of the NWT GDP is generated from mining, the bulk of the benefits
leave the NWT. Mining follows a ‘boom-bust’ model that creates significant environmental, social, and
economic challenges. IBCC is a proactive movement to change the traditional mining model. It is a
35
movement that communities have long championed. Now
both governments and industry are beginning to use the
language of sustainability and recognize the need to do
things differently.
IBCC is working on a study to evaluate two scenarios in
terms of economic impacts on the sustainability in the
mining sector. Both scenarios assume seven new mines in
the NWT between 2015 to 2050, with startups occurring at
five year intervals. The study considers two policy choices the status quo or an enhanced regulatory regime with more
First Nation involvement and benefits. A stronger regulatory
regime assumes:




a 0.5% charge to support environmental
stewardship capacity within indigenous
governments at the local level,
regulatory improvements to oversight and reducing
the risk of environmental liabilities,
increased security deposits to address the full costs
of mine reclamation and remediation, and
improved regulatory efficiencies and effective
monitoring to reduce project start-up time by two
years.
Dahti Tsetso, Stephanie Poole, Joe Hanlon, and
Larry Innes (photo Ben Nind)
In the initial stages of this study, the results seem to show that mines, communities, and the NWT
economy as a whole do better. Mines benefit from earlier start-up and communities are able to access
funds to support land stewards and monitors. Additional resources to create employment particularly in
small NWT communities create more economic impacts in other sectors. These initial results show that a
more sustainable mining industry would be better for everyone.
Participants commented that perhaps a resource tax would be a better way to secure more benefits from
mining. Another questioned the use of a conventional economic model even though this is the approach
that industry and government understand best. Another raised the need to reflect the costs and impacts of
climate change in any economic modelling. One suggested that “all models are wrong and only some are
useful.”
Closing Comments
Participants offered comments about the Gatherings, advice for others, and suggestions for future
meetings. Some folks had also posted comments over the course of the Gathering. These comments are
summarized here.
36
Community Issues and Capacity:
 In many NWT communities, the “poverty is horrendous.” We all share responsibility for taking
care of the most vulnerable and the homeless. Moving along a sustainable path is way toward
equality.
 Initiatives are needed to hire and house the homeless and youth.
 Many communities have ideas and initiatives to strengthen local economies but they don’t have
the positions to actually lead or do the work. Funded community-based positions that work with
community people to build local economies are needed.
 Support services for local economies are needed in all communities.
 Support to organize across communities is needed for example, for small-scale harvesting and
sale of products given that food safety and trade regulations are too constraining; costs are high;
and training is needed.
 Small steps should be supported rather than throwing out ‘one-time big dollars’.
 Small incentive programs for ‘what if’ ideas should be available.
 Support for the implementation of ‘what if’ ideas is needed.
 Build from within (e.g., hold a
‘what if’ forum).
 Major investment is needed in
imagination and innovation
(our greatest renewable
resources).
 Generational transfer of
knowledge and skills should be
supported.
 Cooperatives need access to all
sources of funding (e.g., City
of Yellowknife funds).
 More awareness and support
Localized economies resources (phot Ben Nind)
for the (re)development and
expansion of cooperatives in the
NWT is needed.
 A small house sustainable development model with food producing requirements should be
adopted.
 Storefront space for artists who want to create and educate is needed.
 Systems where we can trade time and skills should be encouraged.
 Promote and encourage sharing and partnerships so people develop a sense of value and self.
 Outdoor wilderness and cultural summer camps for children should be supported.
Energy:
 A timeline for using solar energy within the NWT (e.g., three/six months with incentives from
local government) is needed.
 Make renewable energy sources mandatory for all new construction.
37

Continue to define specific objective to reduce/move away from diesel/gas dependency by 2020
for all communities and become reliant on solar/wood to save our water, and avoid fracking.
Protect our water. No fracking.

Food:
 Quality soil should be brought to Yellowknife so we can easily grow food (e.g., free access to soil
and fertilizer to anyone who produces food).
 Market traditional and wild-crafted products including meat and fish.
 Find funding to provide Sam’s fertilizer to those who want to grow food.
 Work with the City to develop incentives for those who grow/want to grow food.
 Improve access to ITI funding for community producers.
Next Steps and Follow-up:
 Commitment from governments (municipal, GNWT, federal) is needed to implement strategies to
meet needs expressed at this forum.
 A majority of government leaders who understand and embrace the concepts talked about at this
forum.is needed. Elect the right leaders!
 Diana Gibson should present to every Legislative Assembly!
Educate our policy makers (and general public) to cure them of
the belief that more oil and gas is ‘the only option’.
 If not already done, establish a sustainability/local economy
information network and ongoing online forums.
 Offer online forums to continue the discussion.
 Promote networking - get it going in our communities. Share
emails of all those involved in this gathering to start the
network.
 Share contact information.
 Produce a report; have an ongoing website; and have another
Bob Bromley at the end of Gathering BBQ
gathering in a year or two.
(photo Bob Wilson)
 Produce a celebration document/resource material that can be
shared widely.
 Put conference proceedings online.
 Have an area on the website where people can make comments.
 Keep the website going, updating information as it comes up.
 Ensure that this conference/gathering becomes the standard for our discussion for years to come.
This is not an alternative discussion; this is the mainstream for a reliable and prosperous future.
 Make sure this process continues; we haven’t been talking about the “alternative” economy we’re the real economy.
 Have another gathering next year.
 Build this forum for the future.
 Read David C. Korten and YES magazine for inspiration.
 Get a good idea; start small; and find a few committed people to help and support you.
 It takes a champion to make new and good things happen. Behind every good project are good
ideas, stubbornness, determination, and champions.
38
 Buy local, think global.
Format:





Longer breaks or an area to continue discussions are needed.
More networking time should be scheduled.
More discussion between panelists and listeners and actions taken as a direct result of the
conference are needed.
Don’t have lunch time speakers – it is oversaturation, People need time to network which is a key
part of these events.
Conduct a survey about how to get more general public and GNWT staff to attend.
Closing Prayer
Behsa Blondin offered the closing prayer.
39
MEET THE PRESENTERS
Agatha Laboucan, Senior Administrative Officer, Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, is a strong
advocate of the community’s burgeoning local economy. She does whatever she can
to assist the community to achieve its goals for example, in developing eco-cultural
tourism and local food production. On behalf of the community, she recently
accepted the prestigious national Canadian Solar Industries Association Game
Changer award in the Community/First Nations Solar Project category. She is a
graduate of the Business Administration Program (2008) from Aurora College in Fort
Smith.
AJ Saunders is the Vice President of Business Development for Arctic Green Energy. Born
in Edinburgh, Scotland, he moved to Canada in 1985 and to Yellowknife in 1987.
Although relatively new to biomass energy, AJ has significant experience working with
businesses and government throughout the NWT and is enjoying the challenges of
helping Arctic Green Energy grow the biomass industry in Yellowknife and beyond.
Working with Bruce Elliott, Arctic Green Energy’s owner, AJ has spent most of the past
year developing Arctic Green Energy’s plans to expand its Energy Service Contract
business through the development of large scale district heating networks and further
into electrical production with combined heat and power biomass energy plants. The
knowledge, skills and abilities developed through local projects in Yellowknife will
enable Arctic Green Energy to assist in the development of the wider biomass energy
industry in the north and to help northern communities transition to self-sustainable,
locally sourced energy for heating and electrical generation.
Amos Scott is the producer and director of Dene A Journey. It is a television show about
reconnecting to culture through land based activities began airing on the Aboriginal
Peoples Television Network in 2013. As a producer, Amos is also the business owner of
Adze Studios and Dene A Journey Productions. He is currently the President of the NWT
Professional Media Association and is a board member of the Aboriginal Alliance of
Media Professionals (AAMP). AAMP represents independent indigenous television
media producers in Canada.
Andrew Cassidy, Mayor of Hay River, is the former executive director of the Territorial
Farmers’ Association. During his tenure with the TFA, he supported research and
education initiatives including: mobile community kitchens to assist northern producers
in maximizing value-added benefits while improving skills and knowledge about food
preservation and storage, low technology and scalable solutions for composting offal
and other waste from the commercial fishing industry; and agriculture in the classroom
pilot project kits for primary grades. As Mayor, he continues to be a strong supporter for
the agricultural sector, having developed the first community-based agriculture
strategy, and partnered with local not-for-profits to facilitate the development of the
Northern Farm Training Institute.
40
Arthur Tobac was born and raised in Fort Good Hope, steeped in the language and
traditions of the K’asho Got’ine. Over the last 15 years, he has served his community in
leadership roles such as Chief, as the President of Yamoga Land Corporation for one
term and as an active Vice President for a number years and has been employed
many years prior with the local Housing Association. Currently he is the Business
Manager of Ne’rahten Development Ltd., the business arm of the Yamoga Land
Corporation. He has a strong vision of a local economy that is inclusive and serves the
interest of all K’asho Got’ine.
Bob Bromley was born and raised in Yellowknife. After completing a BSc, MSc, and PhD,
he worked as the bird biologist for the Government of the Northwest Territories for 16
years. In 1997, Mr. Bromley left the GNWT to run a sustainable communities consulting
business through which he produced the first community energy plan in the NWT and
was involved in organizing the first NWT climate change conference. Currently, he is the
MLA for Weledeh in the NWT Legislative Assembly, a position he has held since 2007. He
co-founded Ecology North in 1971; was an instructor with the Strings Across the Sky
Charitable Foundation fiddle program across the NWT; and is currently an instructor with
the Aurora Fiddle Society in Yellowknife. He was a member of the Aurora Institute's
Research Advisory Council for several terms; served on the City of Yellowknife's
Community Energy Plan Steering Committee; and currently participates on the Tuktuk
Nogait National Park Management Board. Bob and his wife, Marianne live in
Yellowknife’s Old Town.
Craig Scott, Executive Director, Ecology North, moved to Yellowknife in 2002, and
immediately got involved with Ecology North as a Director. He spent six years on the
Board. He has worked in environmental consulting with FSC Consulting and with the
GNWT as the Climate Change Specialist. He also operated CS Environmental, an
independent environmental consulting business. As a contractor on climate change,
he developed adaptation plans for NWT communities and Permafrost Guidebooks for
Homeowners for NWT and Nunavut. Craig has an honors Environmental Studies degree
from Waterloo University, with a business option. When not in the office, Craig can be
found with his wife and two young girls, canoeing, fishing, kite-skiing, or playing hockey
or Frisbee. In the spring, Craig heads to the bush to harvest birch syrup, and collect wild
foods as part of his partnership in the wild food company, Arctic Harvest.
Dahti Tsetso, Resource Management Coordinator, Dehcho First Nations, is a Tlicho Dene
born and raised in north. She is passionate about the land and culture that has
sustained northerners for millennia. She is clear that to protect the land is to protect the
Dene, the Dene way of life, and culture. She has organized several successful
regional forums on protected areas; numerous regional youth ecology camps; has
taken lessons from her elders and other indigenous peoples establish a regional on-theland program to be known as Dehcho K'ehodi; and is a strong spokesperson for the
health of the land and water. She is currently part of a four-year Aboriginal Language
Revitalization program through the University of Victoria which pairs fluent speakers with
adult students interested in learning and teaching the Dene Zhatie language. She is
41
being mentored by Violet Jumbo. Dahti lives in Fort Simpson with her husband Jonathan
and her two children.
Danny Bayha is a business person from Déline who is fluent in English and North Slavey.
He received a red seal journeyman certificate in heavy-duty mechanics in 1989, and
completed a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary in 1998. An
active member of his community and a Sahtu beneficiary, he has served as a band
councillor, a member of the local education council, a member of the Sahtu Health
and Social Services Authority, the Deline Land Corporation, and the Mackenzie Valley
Environmental Impact Review Board.
David Thompson is Principal of PolicyLink Research and Consulting - a Victoria-based
public policy consultancy. He has worked as a lawyer in government and in the civil
society sector, in management, as a small business owner, and as a public policy
researcher and organizational development consultant. He has postgraduate degrees
in law and environmental economics.
David Krutko, Designated Gwich’in Organization advisor, lives in Fort McPherson and is
active in community political and economic development. He served as the MLA for
the Mackenzie Delta from 1995 until 2011, when he retired. During his time as MLA, he
served as Chair of a number of Standing and Special Committees, Speaker of the
House and as a Member of Cabinet. Mr. Krutko has also worked as a negotiator on the
Dene Metis Land Claim Agreement and the Gwich'in and the Sahtu
Agreements. He has served as the vice president of the Metis Nation of the Northwest
Territories, vice president of the Mackenzie Delta Tribal Council (now known as the
Gwich'in Tribal Council), president of the Fort McPherson Metis Local, president of the
Fort McPherson Hunters and Trappers Association, councillor with the Tetlit Gwich'in
Council, councillor with the Hamlet of Fort McPherson, director of the Mackenzie DeltaBeaufort Sea Regional Planning Commission, member of the Gwich'in Land and Water
Board, member of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, director of the Metis
Development Corporation, and co-chair of the Northwest Territories Tourism Training
Group.
Dëneze Nakhek'o is Denesuline and Dehcho Dene from Denendeh. He currently works
at CKLB radio for the Native Communications Society. Dëneze was raised in Liidlii Kue
but now lives in Yellowknife with his family.
Dennis Bevington was born and raised in Fort Smith. He has served as the MP for the
Northwest Territories since 2006. As MP, he has taken on the responsibility as critic for
such portfolios as Northern Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs, the Arctic Council, and Canadian
Northern Economic Development Agency. Prior to entering federal politics, he served
as Mayor of Fort Smith from 1988 to 1997. He also has a background as a business
person, and has long been active on renewable energies and environmental issues. He
has authored several publications on energy issues. He continues to live in Fort Smith
with his wife, Joan.
42
Diana Gibson has worked nationally and internationally on economic and public policy
issues ranging from energy to health care and trade as well as the social impacts of
resource extraction. She is a social commentator and researcher with over twenty years
of experience and has been on faculty with Capilano College and the University
of Alberta. Her work is always solutions focused and she has founded two successful
coops as well as been the director of a provincial think tank. She has authored and coauthored many publications on social and industrial policy alternatives in resource rich
economies from the NWT to BC, Alberta and Newfoundland. She is a Principal with
PolicyLink Research and Consulting, the President of Canadians For Tax Fairness, as well
as a Research Advisor for both the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the
University of Alberta's Parkland Institute.
Doug Whiteman, owner of Green Enterprises Northwest Territories (G.E.N.T.), lives in
Norman Wells with his wife, Sandy and is a proud father and grandfather. He is a
northern farmer who has successfully experimented with growing vegetables and
raising domestic animals. One year, he produced 30,000 lbs. of potatoes and sold
about 20,000 lbs. for less than half the cost of imported potatoes. He was not able to sell
about 10,000 lbs. due to cracks and long term storage problems but he boiled some for
pig food and composted the rest. He has demonstrated that real opportunities exist for
northerners to have healthy, affordable food choices. He has lots of experiences and
lessons to share including the benefits of nutrient rich soil, cooperative gardening, and
intergenerational approaches.
Dwayne Wohlgemuth, Ko Energy in Yellowknife, has a history of seeking out and
promoting ways to live sustainability. He has taken his energy for sustainable living into
his work with the Government of the NWT, his involvement in the Yellowknife Community
Garden Collective, and is current work through Ko Energy. He lives what he advocates
and has built one of the most energy efficient homes in Yellowknife.
Erin Freeland Ballantyne, Dean of Land Based Academics, Research and Innovation at
Dechinta Bush University was born raised in Somba'ke/Yellowknife. Her research focuses
on community health, sustainability and decolonization, focusing on local power and
knowledge to build healthy futures. At Dechinta, she and her team work to build a
knowledge economy in the NWT by growing a land-based university network in all
regions. Empowering a culture of learning where the knowledge of our communities is
central to education and the knowledge economy provides sustainable economic
prosperity, Dechinta's mission is to train the next generation of leaders in the North.
Creating work by investing in the capacity of our communities to build a competitive
and innovative NWT, where land and future generations are respected and valued as
our most precious resources Dechinta is graduating community change makers. Dr.
Freeland is a mother of three and a hunter gardener.
France Benoit is a policy advisor turned filmmaker who then decided to become a
farmer. She is one of the founding members of the Yellowknife Farmers Market and is
now President. She is a vendor at the Market, selling fresh produce and homemade
43
cheese from her off-the-grid farm, Le Refuge, 25 km east of Yellowknife. France is also
on the Board of the Territorial Farmers Association.
Fred Sangris, former Chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, lives in Ndilo. He is a
strong advocate and protector of indigenous and treaty rights, and a much sought
after spokesperson for his people. Fred is well-respected for his knowledge and skills as a
harvester and leader.
Giselle Marion is a Citizen of the Tlicho Nation, from Behchoko, NWT. She received a
Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, and Law Degree from the University of
British Columbia. She sits on a number of non-profit boards, and serves as a Councillor of
the Community Government of Behchoko. Giselle is passionate about art, design and
crafting, which is fulfilled as coordinator for the Tlicho Online Store where she has
worked for five years in sales. This work allows her to develop her skills to plan and
market art work from people across the North. It also positions her to advocate for artists
on their traditional and contemporary arts work, and share her Northern culture
experiences with the rest of the world through social media.
Jackie Milne, founder and President, Northern Farm Training Institute (NFTI), has worked
for many years in the agricultural sector, running her own farm and market garden. As
past-president of the Territorial Farmers’ Association, she inspired NWT municipalities to
champion agricultural development. Now through NFTI which is in its third year of
operations, she is teaching and inspiring others to take control of our food system. NFTI
offers training to northerners in seeding, designing and planting a garden, creating
forests of fruit and nut trees, garden maintenance and marketing, food harvesting,
preparation and storage, and large and small animal husbandry. Jackie recently visited
the world-famous Savory Institute. Jackie was raised in Hay River and is very proud of
her Métis heritage.
Jack Van Camp, BA, MEDes, Vice President Stand Alone Energy Systems Ltd., has been
a resident of Fort Smith for more than 35 years. His graduate training focused on
environmental planning. In his role as Senior Instructor of the Aurora College Natural
Resources Technology Program he instructed and directed one of the most successful
educational programs in the North for more than 18 years. He also served as executive
director of the Mackenzie River Basin Board for 8.5 years and as a director of the
Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for 6 years.
In his work with Stand Alone Energy Systems Ltd., Jack is an advocate for sustainable
energy for remote and northern locations. He is expert in sustainable energy
technologies, greenhouse gas emission reduction and sustainable energy policy
development. His background as a science and technology educator has developed
his strength in being able to explain complex concepts in plain language and integrate
western scientific concepts with traditional knowledge. Jack currently serves as the Vice
Chair of the NWT Power Corporation Board of Directors.
44
Joe Hanlon received a BA in Anthropology from Dartmouth College in 2005. His
background is in community-based social science and public health research. Joe has
also worked as a high school science teacher and has experience in outdoor
education and emergency medicine. Joe coordinates the SRRB's research, meetings,
and workshops with the five Sahtu RRCs and other partners in the region. He also assists
the RRCs with issues relating to fulfilling their land claim mandate. Joe has been working
for the SRRB since January 2013.
John Colford is manager of Traditional Economy, Agriculture and Fisheries for the GNWT
Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Responsibilities include the marketing
fur through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur program, promotion and support to the
traditional economy, delivery of programming through the Regional Office of ITI in
support of agriculture and overseeing and providing support to the commercial export
and domestic commercial fisheries in the NWT.
Larry Innes is a partner at Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP, a national law firm based in
Toronto, and practices in the area of Aboriginal and environmental law. Larry has
worked with First Nations on land, resources, and rights issues for more than 20 years,
with extensive experience in addressing major mining, forestry and energy
developments across Canada’s North. From 2005-2011, Larry led collaborative
conservation efforts involving First Nations, environmental, and industry partners across
Canada’s Boreal region as the Executive Director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative. He
currently serves as a special advisor to the Indigenous Leadership Initiative of the
International Boreal Conservation Campaign, and is actively involved with a number of
not-for-profit and charitable organizations engaged in Aboriginal and conservation
initiatives in Canada and Australia. Larry holds a law degree from the University of
Victoria, a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, and is a graduate of
McMaster University’s Arts & Science Programme. He divides his time and his practice
between Yellowknife and Goose Bay, Labrador, and spends as much time on the land
as he can with his wife and teenage daughters, who are teaching him that despite his
many degrees, he still doesn’t know everything.
Mark Heyck, Mayor of Yellowknife, was born and raised in the City. He attended McGill
University where he studied History. Mayor Heyck was first elected as a Yellowknife City
Councillor in 2003 and served as Deputy Mayor from 2006 to 2012. During his time on
Council, he chaired the City’s Heritage and Community Energy Planning Committees.
Since 2007, he has also been a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’
Green Municipal Fund Council and currently serves as Vice-Chair. Mayor Heyck was
elected as Yellowknife's 14th Mayor in the fall of 2012.
Mitch Dentinger owns and operates NWT Solar Solutions Ltd. in Yellowknife. His company
is focused on providing northerners with affordable, high quality solar and small,
distributed wind energy systems. He has installed energy systems throughout the NWT
and is currently involved in several projects in the City.
45
Nina Larsson is a member of the Gwich’in Nation and Swedish, born and raised in
France. She resides in Yellowknife with her husband and six month old son. Nina is
currently the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the
Northwest Territories. She is the founder of Energy North Corporation and for seven years
distributed pellet heating systems in the North. Nina volunteers her time by creating and
leading projects that will benefit Indigenous women. She strongly believes in the
importance of an Arctic network to create positive change. She is conducting research
on Indigenous women in leadership in the Northwest Territories as a fellow of the Jane
Glassco Northern Fellowship 2013-2015 cohort. She spear headed the Indigenous
Circumpolar Women’s Gathering while a founding member of Dene Nahjo.
Paige Saunders started off as what senior citizens call a "computer whizz" with the
alternative media collective Sailing on Sound. This led to becoming a founding partner
in CloudWorks before moving on to become an active part of Verge Communications
(EDGE), the Zhaojin Yellowknife Academy in China and the eDemocracy project
IserveU. Paige loves making new ideas a reality and has been called "acceptably
eccentric" and "not the worst person I've known" by several prominent Yellowknifers in
this room.
Paul Cressman, is originally from Waterloo, Ontario. He did his schooling in Outdoor
Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Paul moved north
in 2007 to work with youth-at-risk in Fort Smith where he helped to develop and promote
wilderness based, therapeutic programming. Since moving to Yellowknife in 2010 and
starting Cressman Consulting, Paul has worked extensively with the Tlicho Government
and helped to develop and coordinate two programs that, while working with very
different participant groups, are both focused on helping Tlicho people to ‘be strong
like two people’. These days, Paul’s passion lies in helping communities unlock the
economic potential of their people’s traditional skills and knowledge.
Remi Gervais originally moved to Yellowknife from New-Brunswick in 2006 when he
started working as a finance officer for the City of Yellowknife. He first got involved with
energy when working on energy budgets as supervisor of taxation and budgeting in
2008. He then went back to New-Brunswick to pursue an education in the
environmental field and worked as manager of a renewable energy cooperative. He
was then brought back to Yellowknife to become the City’s Energy Management
Specialist. Since then he worked on various projects ranging from coordinating biomass
boiler designs to lighting audits and everything in between. Renewing Yellowknife’s
Community Energy Plan is currently his focus.
Rosalind Mercredi is a Yellowknife artist and founder of Down to Earth Gallery. She has
always been interested in art; starting as a painter and quickly moving into her favorite
medium – glass. Time spent in the supportive artists’ communities of the Yukon and
Northwest Territories allowed her to begin working as a full time glass artist. She enjoys
incorporating traditional Métis images and colors relating to nature in her pieces.
Themes of ice, stone, and fire abound. Her creative process is detailed and time
46
consuming. She founded the Down to Earth Gallery in 2006 as an artists’ collective
which today, successfully markets the products and energy of more than 60 northern
artists.
Sam Bullock, co-owner of Bullocks’ Bistro, knows about the northern fishery industry. He
has been fishing since he was a youngster growing up in the Mackenzie Delta, and
sharing this knowledge whether it is guiding royalty on a fishing trip to Wool Bay when
he was 16 or managing the world famous Bullocks' Bistro with his wife, Renata for the
past 23 years. He is keenly aware of the value of the northern fishery in a world where
80% of the wild fish stock has been depleted. He has a unique perspective from being
at the forefront of dealing with the untapped, wild caught, northern fish resource and its
future value to all northerners. Further, operating and managing a small business built
on the northern fishery sets his view apart from those too closely tied to government or
big business.
Sheena Adams is the Inuvik Regional Energy Project Coordinator for Arctic Energy
Alliance. Sheena is a social entrepreneur and is always looking for ways to find
innovative solutions to community challenges. Sheena enjoys her work in the BeaufortDelta’s eight communities and is proud to assist these communities with energy
conservation and the coordination of projects and programs delivered by Arctic
Energy Alliance. She has an educational background in horticulture and is active in
Inuvik’s Greenhouse.
Stephanie Poole is Denesuline and a member of the Lutsel K’e/Kache Dene First Nation
currently residing in the community of Lutsel K’e. Her grandparents are Madeline
Catholique and the late Jonas Catholique. Stephanie is a mother to five (5) children.
Stephanie has worked for the NWT Treaty #8 Tribal Corporation in the Akaitcho IMA
Implementation Office for seven years. Stephanie recently completed a two year term
serving on the Lutsel K’e/Kache Dene First Nation Council. Stephanie is an active
community volunteer and is one of the founding members of the Lutsel K’e Community
Garden. Stephanie enjoys practicing traditional cultural activities and learning the
Denesuline language.
Suzette Montreuil is a founding member of Alternatives North, a social justice coalition
that gave rise to the No Place for Poverty Coalition. She represents the Diocese of
Mackenzie-Fort Smith with both groups.
47
ABOUT LOCALIZEDECONOMIES.CA
SETTING THE BAR FOR REACHING OUT TO NWT COMMUNITIES
Perhaps the most pressing challenge that we faced in organizing this gathering was how to extend
participation to interested people in NWT communities. Anyone who has tried to organize a conference
in the north has encountered this problem and the traditional solution is to take an enormous stack of
money and divide it between various airlines and hotels. Sadly no such stack of money was available to
us in the lead up to the gathering so we looked for another solution.
Ecology North approached Paige Saunders of IserveU, a local non-profit that promotes electronic
democracy, to build a website that would host streaming video of the conference, allow viewers to
submit comments through the video feed chat box, and vote on motions submitted by participants in a
discussion forum. Paige was eager to help and gave us a substantial discount for developing the site as
the gathering provided an opportunity to showcase the e-democracy system that IserveU has built.
The main advantage afforded us by this approach was that we were able to direct interested NWT
residents to a single location to participate in discussions. As a result we were able to avoid the
administrative and organizational workload associated with organizing conference-calling hubs in
communities and we were able to extend participation beyond those willing to attend group discussions
at such hubs.
We designed the site to require minimal login and verification information so as not to discourage
visitors with low patience for computers. This made both participation and promotion easier.
The Login page with photography courtesy of Brian Kinzie.
The site went live on the 19th of May which was a little later than we had planned owing to delays with
DNS propagation, but we were able to use the extra time to test functions of the site.
48
As soon as the site went live we began conversations in the discussion forum around some of the
motions that presenters and guests had prepared. These motions were intended purely as items for
discussion but they served to show how the site could help visitors and conference guests to articulate
ideas in a form that could lead to action following the conference.
Here is an example of a proposal to charge vehicle registration fees based on fuel efficiency of
the vehicle that was discussed online in the forum. Above the comments you can see the
coloured bars that represent the proportion of votes in favour and against.
The homepage
of the
consisted
of theinlive
the program
of events,
the listabout
of motions,
Because
this idea had
notsite
been
tried before
thevideo
northfeed,
we were
only cautiously
optimistic
the
bios of presenters
level of engagement we would experience and
but happily
our expectations were exceeded in every respect.
49
Over the course of the weekend we had over two hundred people join the live feed and submit
comments. Based on our login data we can assume that these visits represented about 120 separate
users. We also know that some people logged in with small groups of others so the true total of
participants in the live feed and discussions is, in all likelihood, much higher.
On two occasions the volume of questions submitted through the chat box on the live stream was
sufficient to require the presenter to login to the chat rather than address the questions individually. We
also had a teacher from Whati log in to the livestream with their whole class.
The voting and discussion forum did not receive as many comments as we had hoped but it was clear
from the number and frequency of votes cast that there was steady traffic over the course of the event.
An example of a motion in the discussion and voting forum. This one was submitted by Doug
Whiteman of Norman Wells.
Next year we plan to start working with presenters early to build panel discussions around specific
questions which will also appear in the discussion forum in the site. The rationale for this approach is to
further reduce the separation between physical attendance at the conference and the online
experience. We will promote the website heavily, and try to get more online presenters from around
the NWT, and turn this into a more interactive gathering.
50