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Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation rejoins CYFN as a full member

Thursday, 10 October 2024 15:54

By Stuart Bonell @BonellStuart

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief Pauline Frost and Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston announced VGFN's return as a full member of CYFN in Whitehorse (Photo: S Bonell)

The First Nation left CYFN in 2008 to focus on land claims and self-government agreements, and returned as an associate member in 2019.

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation is returning as a full member of the Council of Yukon First Nations.

At a press conference in Whitehorse on Wednesday, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief Pauline Frost and CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston announced return to full member status, giving the First Nation voting rights at the CYFN leadership table.

Speaking with media, Grand Chief Peter Johnston said that creating unity among Yukon First Nations is more than just cooperating across the territory.

“For me, building unity is about building a reason for us to come together,” said Johnston. “As I mentioned, when we look at a lot of the things we’re challenged with – not only as Yukoners, but as Yukon First Nations – we need everybody in the room to have these discussions; particularly at the political level.”

Chief Frost said that for her First Nation to have its voice separate from CYFN no longer works.

“Unity, and having a collective voice, is more powerful,” said Frost. “It’s powerful in that we present one voice of Indigenous Yukoners. One voice representing our interest.”

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation stepped away from CYFN in 2008 to focus on land claims and self-government agreements. In 2019, the First Nation rejoined CYFN as an associate member.

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