The Peel Watershed Planning Commission is responsible for developing and recommending a draft regional land use plan for the Peel watershed planning region. The Commission is composed of six public members nominated by the Na-cho Nyak Dun, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, as a joint Yukon Government/Vuntut Gwitchin nominee, a joint Yukon Government/ Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in nominee and two Yukon Government nominees.

Commission Members

Albert Genier, Chair
Albert is a member of the Na-cho Nyak Dun. He was born and raised in Mayo and is currently a Councilor for the Na-cho Nyak Dun. Albert has gained vast knowledge of the Peel watershed through on-the-land experience and having been employed by Yukon Government, Department of Highways and Public Works, where he spent several years working along the Dempster Highway. Albert sat on the Ddhaw Ghro Special Management Area Steering Committee and was the Na-cho Nyak Dun negotiator for benefits agreements. He recently completed a Certificate program in Community Economic Development at Simon Fraser University. Albert is a Canadian Ranger.

Marvin Frost
Marvin is the former Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin and was born and raised in Old Crow. In addition to serving on the Peel Commission, he is a long-serving member of the North Yukon Planning Commission. Marvin has volunteered with the fire fighting unit, search and rescue, Canadian Rangers and in other capacities in Old Crow for many years.

Ray Hayes
Ray Hayes is a retired public servant, having worked 22 years with Yukon Government and 12 years with the Government of Canada. While at YG, he worked in the Department of Finance about 14 years, including the following positions: Director of Taxation, ADM Financial Operations and Revenue Services. Ray Hayes has also served as President and CEO of Yukon Liquor Corporation, Deputy Minister of the Department of Government Services, Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Minister of Executive Council Office, and Trustee for the City of Dawson.

Peter J. Kaye
Peter has extensive on-the-land experience with particular knowledge of the Peel plateau region. He has been a trapper for over 25 years and has a trapping concession in the Turner Lakes region of the Peel watershed. He is a long-term member of the Tetlit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council in Fort McPherson, a Director on the Fur Institute of Canada and a former member of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council.

Dave Loeks
Dave holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Forestry Science from Yale University. He currently operates a management consulting company, specializing in the forestry, natural resources and tourism and is a director of the Klondike Chapter of the Canadian Institute of Forestry. For over 25 years Dave operated an ecotourism business and has accumulated vast experience guiding canoe and hiking trips in the Peel watershed. Dave served for two years on the Yukon Council for the Economy and the Environment and is the former President of both the Yukon Tourism Industry Association and of the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Association. In 1992 British Airways honoured Dave with an international award for excellence in sustainable development and ecotourism.

Steve Taylor
Born and raised in Dawson, Steve served as the Chief of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in for nine years. Steve was a land claims negotiator for Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and has participated in the development of the Klondike Valley Land Use Plan. He currently sits on the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Council and the Porcupine Caribou Management Board, and is a former member of the Yukon Salmon Committee.