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Ross River Dena Council says 'no' to proposed mining on its traditional territory

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 11:00

By Stuart Cardinal Bonell

Kudz Ze Kayah mine Map ( Stuart Cardinal Bonell/Chon-FM news)

The decision to approve the mine represents both a severe and unjustified infringement of its constitutionally protected Kaska Aboriginal Title and Rights

The Ross River Dena Council is expressing its disappointment in the approval of a proposed mine on its traditional territory.

In a media release, the First Nation said that Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Government of Yukon approved the proposed Kudz Ze Kayah mine without the free, prior, and informed consent of Ross River Dena Council as the exclusive title holder to the lands upon which the mine will sit.

According to the release, the decision to approve the mine represents both a severe and unjustified infringement of its constitutionally protected Kaska Aboriginal Title and Rights and a violation of Canada’s commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ross River Dena Council says in the release that it will take all necessary steps to defend its Aboriginal Title and Rights and to hold the Government of Canada accountable for its decision to approve the mine. The First Nation also calls on the Government of Canada to ensure that it upholds its commitments to reconciliation and UNDRIP.

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