Building the future

YUKON FIRST NATIONS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (YFNCC) is the First Nations organization of business in the Yukon. Organized as a representative body of business organizations, it represents the interests of the private sector and is involved in promotion of socio economic development of Yukon through private sector led economic growth.
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PROMOTE

Promote the economic and social development of Yukon and interests of the business persons

DEVELOP

Make effective and significant contribution to the development of open market economy

BUSINESS

Recognizing the changes taking place in the global arena.

We provide a range of high quality services to help you grow your business, increase your contacts and obtain the right kind of support for your professional services.

Board & Management

Experts that help you grow your business

Tiffany Eckert-Maret

President

Delmar Washington

Vice President

Michelle Kolla

Secretary Treasurer

Andrijana (Jani) Djokic

Director

Blair Hogan

Director

Logan Freese

Director

Staff

Your friendly YFNCC Staff.

Steve Smith

Executive Director

Doris Anderson

Yukon First Nation Business Registry Manager

Events

Key events boots local economy and click to find out more!

ROUND UP 2018

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YUKON FIRST NATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PARTNERS

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Jessie Stephen | Director

Jessie Stephen was born and raised in the Yukon and is a proud member of the White River First Nation. With a degree in Nature-Based Tourism Management and a minor in Business from the University of Northern British Columbia she has collaborated with Yukon First Nations, Yukon Government, local Corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. Jessie has work experience in community development, Indigenous language revitalization, mental health & reconciliation, youth leadership, associate producer, marketing & events, and on the land cultural and healing camps. Since, 2019 Jessie has been the proud Co-Owner and Director of Operations of Gúnta Business an award-winning Indigenous Consulting firm with many events under her belt and over eight years of political work experience as a Constituency Assistant for Honourable Larry Bagnell, M.P., and a Ministerial Advisor for Honourable Minister Jeanie McLean of Tourism and Culture, Women's Directorate, and the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health & Safety Board; Jessie comes equipped with tons of resources to ensure a smoothly run and highly attended events and community engagement.

 

Tori Beemer | Operations & Outreach Officer

Born and raised in the Yukon, Tori brings a unique blend of artistic creativity and operational expertise to her role as the  Operations and Outreach Officer at the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in from Toronto Metropolitan University, Tori has built a diverse career across the non-profit and cultural sectors, specializing in event production, project management, and community engagement.

In her spare time, Tori remains active in the arts as a producer and designer, collaborating on local performances and creative projects. She is most proud of recently co-producing The Garden, an original multidisciplinary performance that premiered in October 2024 at the Yukon Arts Centre.

 

Steve Smith | Executive Director

Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome our new Executive Director, Steve Smith (Kaaxnox), former Chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation.

YFNCC looks forward to Steve's extensive experience in leadership in governance, economic development and community building. Steve’s knowledge of economic development in the Yukon and Yukon First Nations’ economic growth of the Self-Government framework meets with YFNCC’s desire to advocate for Yukon First Nation businesses and will be a valuable asset to YFNCC and Yukon First Nations.

Steve also brings his unique blend of formal education, traditional and cultural knowledge that has shaped his strong connection to his heritage and deep respect for his community’s traditions. This comes from teachings from his grandmother, Annie Ned and his parents, Elijah and Irene Smith. Steve is born and raised in the Yukon and is a member of the K’etlènmbet (Killer Whale) Clan.

YFNCC is honoured to have Steve join our team as we continue our mission to advocate, support and uplift Yukon First Nation businesses and communities. His leadership and vision will guide YFNCC toward new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and strengthening Yukon First Nation partnerships.

 

Karen Lepine | Projects & Events Manager

Karen Lepine is a born and raised Yukoner who is of Han & Tlingit ancestry and a member of the Carcross Tagish First Nation. Karen and her husband Nelson have two adult children Blake(Erin) and Kara(Glen) and four grandchildren Adanchilla, Carter, Clarke and Salix. Prior work experience has been Director of Finance for the Council of Yukon First Nations for 9.5 years, Skookum Jim Friendship Centre for 17 years and the Yukon Indian Arts & Crafts Co-op for 5 years. Currently volunteers as the Treasurer for the Dakhka Khwaan Dancers Society, Yukon First Nation Graduation Society, Trustee for the First Nation Languages Trust and The Nelson Project. Also has past involvement with Polarettes Gymnastics Club, Dreamcatcher Yukon Society and Yukon Indigenous Games Steering Committee ( now the Yukon Aboriginal Sports Circle) as Treasurer. Prior to C/TFN's land claim settlement Karen was a representative for the Taxation Files for C/TFN wand was appointed as one of the original Trustees for the Daanaa Jili (Cache) Trust since 2006. In her spare time she beads, sews traditional regalia and goes camping with the family.

 

Taylor Dieckmann | Membership & Operation Coordinator

Taylor is a born and raised Yukoner and is starting at the Yukon University in the Conservation and Environmental Science Program. After graduating high school Taylor, spent 5 months traveling south east Asia and a winter working in New Zealand.

 

Doris Anderson | Yukon First Nation Business Registry Manager

I am A’Anizhia-Gus’duteen (Doris Anderson), a citizen of Ta’an Kwach’an Council. I was born and raised in the Yukon, growing up at Lake Lebarge, Whitehorse and Takhina. I have been employed in the Administrative Field over the years from Reception to Executive Director; working for the Federal/Territorial/First Nations Governments throughout Canada. These various positions offered a variety of opportunities to see Canada from the Community level, and meet so many amazing Canadians, from the East to West Coast. My work ethic comes from growing up in a household with influential Yukon First Nation Leaders who broke a trail for a modern way of doing things, for the benefit of others without losing our traditional and cultural values, an amazing trail to exemplify. I will forever grateful for their endless contributions that was done with immeasurable grace, strength, bravery, and integrity; I want to do that. This is an exciting opportunity for me to be a part of Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce as the Business Registry Manager, and I look forward to increasing Yukon First Nations businesses/citizens in the business field.

 

Mellisa Murray | Executive Director

Mellisa Murray is a 2nd generation Chinese Canadian and a mother of two young boys. She has called Whitehorse home for her entire life, which is on the traditional Territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from York University in Toronto, ON. Mellisa has over 15 years of experience working with non-profit organizations as a Director, Chief Administrative Officer, Project Manager and Instructor, and is heavily involved in the local arts community. She was a member of the Yukon Arts Advisory Council 4 years and formally the Region Manager for the Arctic Inspiration Prize. Mellisa has taken courses in the Indigenous Governance program at Yukon University and applies everything she’s learned to everyday life, and continues to learn and grow. She is the Executive Director for the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and a Councillor for the City of Whitehorse. She hopes to make a positive change in her community and help advocate for Yukon First Nations.

 

Andrijana (Jani) Djokic | Director

Nacho Nyak Dun Development Corporation

Jani Djokic is the CEO for the Nacho Nyak Dun Development Corporation (NNDDC) and has been part of the team since 2017. The NNDDC team received the 2018 Arctic Indigneous Investment Conference Community Champion of the Year award, the 2019 Yukon Chamber of Mines Community Award, and is part of the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun's and Yukon First Nations Wildfire's winning teams for the Arctic Inspiration Prize.

Business isn't where Jani thought she would end up, however, being able to apply her unique background in International Indigenous Law, Political Science, and Community and Land Use Planning, she has found her passion in working for and with Indigenous communities in the realm of economic development. She has had the opportunity to study and work with Saami lawyers who leaders in drafting UNDRIP and ILO 169, to work in Guatemala with Mayan cacao producers reclaiming traditional economies, and is now honoured to be working alongside the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun on projects and investments within and outside their Traditional Territory. She continues to apply her unique skill set to help bridge business, law and policy, and grassroots initiatives to create self-sustaining business opportunities in mining and exploration, environmental remediation and restoration, energy, tourism, community infrastructure, and aviation, as well as being heavily involved in larger-scale initiatives such as the creation of Yukon Government's First Nations Procurement Policy.

 

Blair Hogan | Director

Blair Hogan is an award-winning Yukon entrepreneur and proud Teslin Tlingit citizen who has spent the past decade helping Northern communities turn vision into results. He co-founded Gúnta Business Consulting in 2012 and has grown it into a trusted Indigenous-owned firm specializing in:

  • Business planning and project management
  • Renewable-energy and biomass solutions
  • Community engagement and facilitation
  • Virtual / hybrid event production across the North

Blair’s forward-looking approach has earned Gúnta multiple honours, including the Yukon Innovation Prize (2021), Top Indigenous Business of the Year (2020 & 2025 YFNCC AIIC), and the 2024 Golden Bravo Award for producing the largest conference in Yukon.

Beyond Gúnta, Blair mentors emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, spearheads clean-energy initiatives, and champions technology that connects people to opportunity. Most recently, he joined the board of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, where he continues to advocate the advancement Indigenous prosperity throughout the territory and beyond.

 

Logan Freese | Director

Logan Freese is a born and raised Yukoner with a diverse financial and managerial background. In his current role as General manager for the Copper Niisuu Limited Partnership, he is responsible for the advancement, financial management and diversification of the business interests for CNLP on behalf of the White River First Nation. These business interests cover a broad scope of sectors including renewable energies, resource management, mineral exploration, manufacturing, aircraft leasing, expediting and transportation. Throughout his career, he has developed a depth of knowledge regarding the operation and financial management of companies ranging from fledgling and start up businesses to larger multinational corporations. Additionally he has a range of experiences in serving on a various Boards of Directors in multiple positions for both non-profit and for-profit entities. In his spare time, Logan is an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time with his family in exploring this amazing territory.

 

Michelle Kolla | Secretary Treasurer

Michelle Kolla is a lifelong Yukoner, Member of the Selkirk First Nation and great granddaughter of the late Ira and Eliza VanBibber. Michelle and her husband Rob raised their two sons Justin and Ryan Kolla living a northern life style that included spending time traveling throughout the Yukon. Together they own and operate Snap on Tools and Porter Creek Self Storage.

She has worked with non-profits for 15 years including the Skook um Jim Friendship Centre and Council of Yukon First Nations as their Executive Director. During her time with the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, the centre created an after-school tutoring program, established the Youth Emergency Shelter and the Youth Employment Centre.

In the past she has worked in procurement with the Federal and Territorial Governments working closely with the local business community and government departments. She is a past Board member of Yukon Workers Compensation Board, National Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Director/General Manager of Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon, Director of Television Northern Canada and a founding Director of APTN.

Michelle volunteered with local youth sports groups including Whitehorse Minor Hockey and coaching soccer. Currently she is a Director on the Selkirk First Nation Development Corporation, member of the Yukon Government Gas Tax Review Committee and has been recently acclaimed as the President of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. Michelle is an Alumni of the Governor General of Canada’s Leadership Conference.

 

Tiffany Eckert-Maret | President

Tiffany Eckert-Maret is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Da Daghay Development Corporation (DDDC). As the COO of the economic development company for her First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations, overseeing staff and managing the largest investment for DDDC. Tiffany is currently enrolled at Yukon University, working towards her Bachelor of Business Administration.

Tiffany spent her earlier years overlooking Lake Laberge with her cousins and under the watchful eye of her late grandmother, Irene Smith. In her later childhood, Tiffany was fortunate to travel around Canada with her family, as a military brat. Tiffany is married to Andre and has one daughter, Dakota.

 

Delmar Washington | Vice-President

Capital Helicopters

Delmar Washington is a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Born in Whitehorse and raised in Haines Junction, Delmar’s cultural heritage has given him first-hand knowledge of the traditional First Nation lifestyle.

Delmar has worked in road maintenance and construction as an equipment operator and long-haul trucker. He started flying helicopters in 1987 and in 1995 began his own company, Capital Helicopters (1995) Inc. The company continues to be 100% First Nation owned and currently operates four helicopters.

As owner and chief pilot of Capital Helicopters, Delmar has extensive experience working with First Nations, government and the private sector.