Feature stories

Individuals and businesses making a difference in the lives of Northerners and their communities across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Here are their stories and how CanNor supported them in their success.

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Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project

Cheetah Resources Ltd.'s Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project, located 100 kilometres southeast of Yellowknife, is entering its production phase. Cheetah is the first Canadian producer of rare earth element oxides, which are used in technologies that are helping move Canada to a low carbon economy, such as the manufacturing of electric vehicles, renewable energy production and electronics.

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Region	Category	Stories
Northwest Territories	Resource development	Ore Sorter on site at the Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project Cheetah Resources Ltd.'s Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project, located 100 kilometres southeast of Yellowknife, is entering its production phase. Cheetah is the first Canadian producer of rare earth element oxides, which are used in technologies that are helping move Canada to a low carbon economy, such as the manufacturing of electric vehicles, renewable energy production and electronics. Region: Northwest Territories Category: Resource Development
Nunavut	Skills development	Emily Canfield teaching coding concepts at the Iqaluit Makerspace Pinnguaq Association TE(a)CH program - Nunavut The Pinnguaq Association, located in Iqaluit, Nunavut, has had remarkable success in developing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) skills through innovative technology, art and play. Founded in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, in 2012, the Pinnguaq Association supports participants and takes them from their first coding lesson to opportunities in employment and production of their own original ideas. Region: Nunavut Category: Skills development
Yukon	Community development/infrastructure, Tourism	Sky view of the Grey Mountain Trail (photo courtesy of the Government of Yukon) Grey Mountain Trail When BYTE – Empowering Youth Society set out to help and empower young Yukoners in 1998, they decided to do so by facilitating experiential and innovative workshops on topics important to youth. They organized events and other opportunities to provide youth with the necessary tools and skills to lead happy, healthy and meaningful lives. Region: Yukon Category: Community development/infrastructure, Tourism
Yukon	Agriculture/Agri-food, Business development, Entrepreneurship	Yukon Provisions Partners (photo courtesy of Sydney Olan, Yukon Chocolate Company) Yukon Chocolate Company The Yukon Chocolate Company is a family owned and operated company based in Whitehorse, Yukon. They are known for using high quality raw cocoa from around the world to create their products. Region(s): Yukon Category(s): Agriculture/Agri-food, Business development, Entrepreneurship
Yukon	Women Entrepreneurs	Joella Hogan, owner of Yukon Soaps Company. (Photo by Jenny Imbeau) Yukon Soaps Company The Yukon Soaps Company has been fostering authentic experiences and bringing life to the heart of Yukon for more than 20 years through the creation of beautiful, handcrafted and Indigenous artisan soaps, shampoo bars and essential oil blends. Region(s): Yukon Category(s): Women Entrepreneurs
Northwest Territories	Entrepreneurship	Makerspace YK's 'tool bus' project offered a tool lending library in Yellowknife; now they will have a permanent working space. (Photo courtesy of Makerspace YK) Makerspace YK building working space through S.T.E.A.M Makerspace YK is starting a three-year project to build a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) focused community space. This new space will support Yellowknife's small businesses, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists by providing an affordable commercial working space that offers the use of tools, equipment, and infrastructure on a membership basis. Region(s): Northwest Territories Category(s): Entrepreneurship
Nunavut	Arts and culture	Master printer Qavavau Manumie working at Kinngait Studios located in the Kenojuak Cultural Centre. (Photo courtesy of Kinngait Studios) Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop The Kinngait Studios housed at the Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop is the country's best-known Inuit artist studio, and the oldest fine art printmaking facility in Canada. The studio has been at the heart of Kinngait (Cape Dorset) for over half a century. Region(s): Nunavut Category(s): Arts and culture
Northwest Territories	Women Entrepreneurs	Entrepreneur Amy Maund out foraging near Yellowknife, NT Laughing Lichen Laughing Lichen's owner Amy Maund proudly owns and operates a northern-based wildcrafting business, located just outside of Yellowknife. Region(s): Northwest Territories Category(s): Women Entrepreneurs
		Economic Growth Follows Effective Regulatory Process in Canada's North Archived Canada's North is rich with natural resources and holds tremendous potential in resource development. This sector is a major economic driver in the country and fosters growth in other sectors, such as communications, energy and transportation infrastructure, and commercial services.
		Developing the Film Production Sector in Nunavut Archived The North – its people, its landscapes, and its communities – is increasingly being used to create Canadian and international films. In the past few years, several films have been shot in Iqaluit, Nunavut and production companies are looking for skilled local labour.
		Creating Mobile Arctic Laboratories Archived The Arctic Research Foundation, a private not-for-profit organization, accessed $1.75 million in CanNor funding to develop six mobile laboratories using refurbished sea containers in Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. These mobile labs allow scientists to conduct research directly in the Arctic in areas such as geoscience, archeology, fisheries, and marine science.
		Diversifying the NWT Forestry Sector through Biomass Archived The Government of the NWT's Department of Environment and Natural Resources led this project with the collaboration of Indigenous and Métis groups in the NWT. Together, they negotiated Forest Management Agreements and successfully implemented a long-term General Development Plan (GDP) to support job creation and business opportunities in the forest industry, particularly in Indigenous and Métis communities.
		Marketing Campaign Increases Visits to the Land of the Midnight Sun Archived The Government of Yukon's Tourism Branch (Tourism Yukon), with the support of CanNor funding, launched Yukon Now in 2014. Yukon Now is a tourism marketing campaign aimed at increasing both awareness of Yukon as a tourist destination, and international and domestic tourism to Yukon.
		Making Space for Yukon Entrepreneurial Spirit Archived Entrepreneurs face many challenges when trying to successfully launch a start-up, especially when their business model involves the development of new tools and products. In the North, with limited access to equipment and workspace, these barriers are even more difficult for individual proprietors and small and medium-sized enterprises to overcome.
		Growth of the Agriculture Sector in NWT Archived Head of the Lines Services (HOTLS), an Aboriginal business in Fort Simpson, NWT, is using CanNor funding to research and develop hydroponic technology with the intent to build a commercial greenhouse in the community. Using this technology, it is anticipated that plants will grow faster in optimum temperatures and insects and diseases will be eliminated. In addition, the labour to harvest the plants will be significantly reduced.
		Preparing Inuvialuit Businesses and Communities for Economic Diversification Opportunities Archived In 2014-15, the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) launched a series of Regional Opportunity Readiness Initiatives over five years to increase economic opportunities for Inuvialuit businesses and communities across multiple sectors.
		Improving access to the Labour Market in Nunavut, Yukon or Northwest Territories Archived Delivered by the three northern colleges, the Northern Adult Basic Education Program (NABEP) is improving access to basic skills such as literacy and numeracy so working age adults are better positioned to participate in the northern labour market. Starting in fiscal year 2011-12, NABEP provided $27 million over five years to the three territorial colleges: Yukon College, Aurora College, and Nunavut Arctic College. Read more about how we help in Nunavut, Yukon or Northwest Territories.