Global perspective Human stories

Dana Tizya-Tramm

Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm is the elected chief of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation based in Old Crow, a fly-in community of around 300. Tizya-Tramm left home at 13, became involved with drugs and alcohol, first in Whitehorse and then in Vancouver. He eventually found success at work and stable housing, but returned to Old Crow in 2013. Old Crow flies in diesel for electricity but are now building what they believe will become the largest solar installation in the Arctic. It will supply a quarter of the community's needs, displacing nearly 200,000 litres of diesel fuel annually. Tizya-Tramm is involved in sharing strategies and advocacy efforts across Arctic communities, and wants to convey that if a remote community like Old Crow can go sustainable, city folks have no excuse. Dana inspires us to not be afraid to commit to a big idea, and urges us to consider how our consumption and actions have far reaching climate effects.