Listening First: NEC’s Spring 2025 Community Engagement Trip in Yukon
- Northern Energy Capital
- May 9
- 3 min read
Northern Energy Capital
Published May 9, 2025
This spring, NEC team members Kailey Wright and Ruben den Uyl travelled across the Yukon for a 10-day trip in support of two exciting clean energy initiatives: the Tehcho Wind Project and the Selkirk RivGen Project. Their journey took them from Whitehorse to Pelly Crossing and Mayo, where they met with community leaders, hosted engagement sessions, and strengthened collaboration with local and regional partners.
Credit: Ruben den Uyl
A Trip Rooted in Community
Community engagement isn’t a checkbox—it’s a core part of how NEC operates. This trip was about listening, learning, and laying the groundwork for long-term relationships that will support community-led clean energy development.
Alongside partners including Selkirk Development Corporation (SDC), Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation (NNDDC), and Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), NEC supported sessions aimed at sharing early-stage project information and gathering community feedback on local energy priorities.
Pelly Crossing: Conversations Grounded in Values
In Pelly Crossing, home of the Selkirk First Nation, the team supported a session introducing the Community Energy Plan, being developed by the Selkirk Development Corporation. The goal was to facilitate discussion around energy priorities before introducing specific project proposals in a future session.
Key community values emerged clearly:
Preserve the land
Achieve long-term sustainability
Maintain traditions and culture
One community member shared:
"Everything we do today, is for the future."
These words encapsulated the spirit of the conversation—one centered on responsibility, legacy, and intergenerational impact.
Credit: Ruben den Uyl
Mayo: Introducing the Tehcho Wind Project
In Mayo, the team introduced the potential Tehcho Wind Project—a collaborative effort between SDC and NNDDC.
The event, held in the beautifully restored Ihdzí’ community hub, created space for open dialogue. Community members—both young and old—shared their thoughts, asked insightful questions about the technology, and voiced their concerns, particularly around wildlife impacts, and the importance of clear communication and transparency.
A powerful quote from one attendee:
"Climate change is felt very much here in the Yukon. We should and want to contribute to providing solutions to this, and renewable energy is the way to go."
Building Relationships—On and Off the Clock
Beyond the formal meetings, the team made time to build relationships in more informal settings. From catching the northern lights at Fish Lake, to sharing meals with partners, to a ski day with colleagues from GCR and Kluane First Nation, the trip created moments of connection that support long-term collaboration.
They also met with Yukon University’s Northern Energy Innovation team to plan upcoming engagement sessions for the Energy 101 course in Nunavut—another exciting example of NEC’s commitment to building local energy capacity across the North.
Credit: Ruben den Uyl
Reflections from the NEC Team
“This trip reinforced the importance of genuine listening and adapting to the community's needs. It’s not just about presenting projects; it’s about building relationships and understanding local values.”
As NEC continues to work in close partnership with SDC, NNDDC, and communities across the Yukon, this trip served as a strong reminder: the path to clean energy must be community-led, culturally grounded, and built on trust.
Note: All communications about the Tehcho Wind Project are shared in collaboration with NNDDC and SDC, with care and respect for community sensitivities and cultural context.
Join Us on Our Journey
Northern Energy Capital is dedicated to meeting our Net-Zero Challenge goals. Download our Comprehensive Net-Zero Plan to learn more about the actions we are taking to achieve our ambitious emission reduction targets by 2050. Have questions or want to collaborate? Get in touch with us at contact@northernenergycapital.com or 250-213-8185 to learn more about how we can help you achieve your energy goals.
About Northern Energy Capital (NEC)
Northern Energy Capital is a renewable energy development company dedicated to empowering northern and remote communities in their transition from fossil fuel consumption to clean energy asset ownership. Established in 2025, NEC is the development partner of choice for off-grid and remote communities that seek to achieve energy independence through locally owned and locally produced renewable energy.
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