Chief and Council Spotlight — Strengthening Our Economic Foundation

To round out this series of Spotlight posts highlighting the work of Chief and Council to move priorities ahead on behalf of Citizens, we are sharing a set of posts around strategic areas of focus.

Strengthening CAFN’s Economic Future: Over this past spring and summer, Chief and Council continued laying a stronger economic foundation for Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Council assented to the development of a new Economic Development Strategy for CAFN, and has been working closely with its community and development corporations to put key pieces in place to support long‑term growth.

This includes the MOU signed between CAFN and Sha Shäw Community Corporation, as well as ongoing work with Dakwäkäda Capital Investments to resolve issues with CAFN’s trust and to develop an investment statement that will guide how the Nation grows and protects its financial resources. Council has also established a $3 million Economic Development Opportunities Fund to help CAFN respond to promising projects and partnerships in a more strategic way.

CAFN is also participating in the emerging Hydro 4 First Nations alliance along with Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN), and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC). This consortium grew out of political discussions initiated in December 2025 with CanNor President Jimi Onalik, and is rooted in a shared history of major hydro infrastructure being built within each Nation’s traditional territory. Together, the Hydro 4 First Nations are working to prioritize Yukon First Nations equity in new energy projects as a form of economic reconciliation, and to create sustainable, long‑term revenue streams consistent with Yukon First Nation Final Agreement economic development commitments.

Through this alliance, CAFN and its partners are interested in energy generation and distribution that can increase energy security, create economic opportunities, and generate economic wealth for First Nation communities. An MOU has been signed between the participating Nations, and there are ongoing discussions with Yukon and Canada, as well as technical work with the Yukon Development Corporation, to align energy generation interests, identify economic opportunities (including in energy distribution), diversify energy sources, and reduce reliance on the existing electrical grid.

While this economic and energy work is rooted in CAFN’s own direction, it is also connected to larger regional conversations. Through processes like the Yukon Forum and Yukon Days, CAFN participates in governance and implementation discussions on self‑government agreements and advocates with other Yukon First Nations around big‑picture issues such as the proposed new Yukon Health Authority, energy planning and development, and other long‑term priorities for the Yukon as a whole.

Much of this economic, energy, and governance work happens behind the scenes, but it is key to creating long‑term, sustainable economic opportunities that reflect CAFN values and ensure that the benefits of growth are felt in our communities now and for future generations.