The Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS), presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Blair Hogan, is a long-form podcast featuring in-depth conversations with Indigenous leaders, development corporation executives, investors, and policymakers shaping economic ownership in the North. Episodes explore Indigenous capital, land claims implementation, infrastructure, energy, real estate, tourism, logistics, and financing—focused on systems, governance, and long-term asset strategy in northern and Arctic contexts.
Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS)
Claim This Podcastby Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce (YFNCC)
6 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇨🇦
Podcast Overview
The Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS), presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Blair Hogan, is a long-form podcast featuring in-depth conversations with Indigenous leaders, development corporation executives, investors, and policymakers shaping economic ownership in the North. Episodes explore Indigenous capital, land claims implementation, infrastructure, energy, real estate, tourism, logistics, and financing—focused on systems, governance, and long-term asset strategy in northern and Arctic contexts.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/15/2026
Reach the team behind Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS)
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
Recent Episodes
July 16, 2026
Stephen Mooney | Energy Security, Indigenous Ownership & Northern Innovation (AIIS Ep. 5)
<p>In this episode of the <strong>Arctic Indigenous Investment Series</strong>, host Blair Hogan sits down with Stephen Mooney for a wide-ranging conversation about northern innovation, energy security and the growing role of Indigenous ownership in building the Yukon’s future.</p><p>Stephen reflects on his career across technology, applied research, Cold Climate Innovation and First Nations investment. He shares lessons from evaluating new technologies for northern conditions, supporting entrepreneurs and helping move promising ideas from early-stage concepts into practical projects.</p><p>The conversation explores biomass, small hydro, geothermal, wind energy, small modular reactors, district heating and the challenges facing Yukon’s electricity system. Blair and Stephen also discuss how First Nations development corporations can work together to own long-life infrastructure and strategic assets in aviation, energy, telecommunications and other sectors.</p><p>Topics include:</p><ul><li><p>Validating technology for northern and cold-climate conditions</p></li><li><p>The importance of local project champions and informed risk-taking</p></li><li><p>Teslin’s biomass experience and community-scale energy systems</p></li><li><p>Yukon’s winter energy constraints and the need for greater resilience</p></li><li><p>Small hydro, geothermal, wind and small modular reactors</p></li><li><p>District heating, demand management and community energy ownership</p></li><li><p>The Yukon First Nations aerial leasing and medevac partnership</p></li><li><p>Opportunities for a First Nations power corporation</p></li><li><p>Telecommunications, fibre infrastructure and Arctic security</p></li><li><p>Housing, food and energy as the foundations of a strong northern economy</p></li></ul><p>The <strong>Arctic Indigenous Investment Series</strong> is presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. The series features long-form, unscripted conversations with the people actively shaping Indigenous economic development, investment and ownership across the North.</p><p>These conversations are exploratory and educational. AIIS is not a pitch, solicitation platform or deal room. The focus is on practical experience, lessons learned and the systems required to build lasting Indigenous and northern prosperity.</p>
May 7, 2026
Ben Ryan | Air North, Northern Access & Indigenous Tourism (AIIS Ep. 4)
<p>In this episode of the <strong>Arctic Indigenous Investment Series</strong>, host <strong>Blair Hogan</strong> sits down with <strong>Ben Ryan</strong>, Chief Commercial Officer of <strong>Air North, Yukon’s Airline</strong>, board member with <strong>Chieftain Energy</strong>, Chair of the <strong>Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon</strong>, and board member with <strong>Destination Canada</strong>.</p><p>The conversation explores the systems that shape northern economic development: air access, fuel logistics, tourism, infrastructure, local ownership, Indigenous partnership, and long-term community resilience.</p><p>Ben shares his path from growing up in Whitehorse and working throughout Air North, to studying at Carleton and Oxford, and returning home to help lead one of the Yukon’s most important companies. He reflects on Air North’s evolution, its partnership with Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the role of Yukon shareholders, and what it takes to prepare the airline for the next 50 years.</p><p>Blair and Ben also discuss Chieftain Energy, fuel supply chains, the cost of operating in the North, and how strategic partnerships can help build resilience. The episode then moves into Yukon tourism, Indigenous tourism, sport tourism, cultural experiences, youth opportunity, and the importance of building economic systems that remain rooted in community.</p><p>At its core, this episode is about access — to travel, markets, culture, investment, and opportunity — and how northern businesses can grow in a way that reflects place, partnership, and long-term benefit.</p><p>Presented by the <strong>Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce</strong>.</p>
April 3, 2026
Jani Djokic & Katie Johnson | Reconnection, Reciprocity, Food Sovereignty & Indigenous Economic Development (AIIS Ep. 3)
<p>In Episode 3 of the Arctic Indigenous Investment Series, host Blair Hogan sits down with Jani Djokic and Katie Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation about Indigenous economic development in the Yukon — and what it looks like when that work is rooted not only in business and investment, but in culture, community, land, youth, and long-term wellbeing. </p><p>Jani Djokic, CEO of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation, shares how her organization has been working to move beyond a conventional top-down corporate model toward a more circular and community-centred approach to development. She reflects on the boom-and-bust realities of resource economies, the limits of profit-first thinking, and the importance of building systems that help communities not just survive, but truly thrive. At the centre of that conversation is a philosophy that sees business as a tool for care, reciprocity, and nation-building — not as an end in itself. </p><p>Katie Johnson brings a complementary perspective shaped by decades of work in arts, culture, events, youth leadership, and community development. She reflects on the origins of the Adäka Cultural Festival, the power of creating visible and meaningful platforms for Yukon First Nations artists and communities, and the role that those spaces play in economic development, cultural pride, and long-term impact. Across the episode, Katie returns to a core theme in her work: creating spaces where people — especially young people — can be seen, heard, supported, and connected to who they are and where they come from. </p><p>A major thread throughout the conversation is <strong>Reconnection Vision</strong>, the Indigenous youth-led framework that both guests speak about with deep respect and urgency. The episode explores how this work challenges narrow models of development by asking bigger questions: What does it mean to lead in a good way? How do we make decisions that are grounded in relationship, belonging, language, culture, and land? And how can Indigenous youth help shape the future systems they are inheriting? </p><p>Blair, Jani, and Katie also discuss women’s leadership, matriarchal values, identity, and the importance of grounding economic systems in the lived realities of community. The conversation moves through entrepreneurship, startup barriers, side hustles, mentorship, Indigenous business support, and the need for more flexible and responsive structures that actually reflect how people build livelihoods in northern communities. Rather than assuming one-size-fits-all models, the episode highlights development approaches that emerge from local need, local interest, and local values. </p><p>The discussion also dives into food sovereignty and community-based economic ecosystems. Jani shares how Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation has been investing in food-related infrastructure and initiatives in Mayo, including a grocery store, farm, communal kitchen space, harvester programming, and other community-rooted systems designed to reduce barriers and create opportunity. These examples open up a larger conversation about resilience, reciprocity, and what it means to build economies that are both practical and human. </p><p>At its core, this episode is about more than business. It is about how Indigenous economic development can reflect Indigenous values — and how stronger futures are built through connection: to people, to place, to language, to purpose, and to each other. </p><p><strong>About Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS)</strong><br>AIIS is a long-form interview series presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, exploring Indigenous investment, ownership, and economic development across the North through in-depth conversations with leaders working at the intersection of business, government, and community. The series is educational and exploratory in nature and does not include confidential or transactional deal details.</p>
6 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS)
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Arctic Indigenous Investment Series (AIIS)?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.