The Kwanlin Dün Economic Development Office is excited to announce that the Joint Venture agreement was recently finalized between Kwanlin Dün and Dominion Construction Inc., one of Western Canada's largest construction firms.

Through the Joint Venture, the two parties will pursue local construction projects and work together as construction managers, providing expertise from the design phase through to the final construction phase. Kwanlin Dün views this project as a great opportunity to generate profits.

"This Joint Venture is the first time a Yukon First Nation will participate in the management of major construction projects," says Chief Mike Smith, describing the agreement as a win-win-win situation for the Kwanlin Dün people, the Yukon and Dominion Construction. "We look at this as an opportunity to develop skills and create employment for KDFN members, as well as opportunities for First Nation businesses," explains Chief Mike Smith, adding, "It also provides Dominion Construction with the opportunity to do what they do best here in the Yukon."

In June '08, the Dominion-Kwanlin Dün Joint Venture was awarded the $2.69 million contract to provide Construction Management at-Risk (CM at-Risk) services for the Yukon Healing Centre, which will replace the aging Whitehorse Correctional Centre. This is the first contract to be awarded to The Dominion-Kwanlin Dün Joint Venture.

Dominion Construction will be the managing party for the Healing Centre project and will provide experienced project management personnel and systems to enable the Joint Venture, while Kwanlin Dün will provide personnel to fill as many of the support positions as possible. The opportunities for KDFN Citizens will include:

• Project Manager Training
• Apprenticeships
• Positions for employment, such as office staff, safety coordinators, assistant superintendent, project coordinator, etc.
• Acquisition of assets and equipment, as well as procurement and sub-contracting

Since completing work on the Athletes' Village for the 2007 Canada Winter Games, Dominion Construction, with its more than 400 employees, has been looking to build a long-term relationship with a Yukon First Nation. After responding to the Request for Expressions of Interest - issued by Kwanlin Dün in April '07 - Dominion Construction passed a technical evaluation and was the only firm to be interviewed by the Yukon Government.

Through the Joint Venture, Kwanlin Dün plans to successfully bid on the contracts for two other major Yukon Government projects, including the Whitehorse International Airport expansion and the Affordable Family Facility.