Yukon Leaders Cautiously Optimistic About INAC Split

Tuesday, 5 September 2017 13:51

Premier Sandy Silver says the "devils are in the details."

Leaders in the Yukon are taking a cautious approach to the federal government’s plans split the Indigenous Affairs department into two entities. In August, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the division, with Minister Carolyn Bennett now in charge of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister Jane Philpot heading Indigenous Services.

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston is concerned with the new direction, feeling more focus will be put on the treaty process, leaving Self-Governing First Nations here looking at less time with Minister Bennett. “Just reading the details, I hear there are already 100 different nations that are in the process of self-governance. So, we-being the shining example here in the territory, I don't know how much attention is going to be given to us. We are already at the high ground with regards to agreements.” “Over time, we'll have a better perspective on what the benefits are going to be for us here in the territory. I really don't feel more time is going to be given to us.”

Yet Johnston is hopeful the stronger relationship with Bennett will benefit Yukon First Nations, during this uncertainty. “We're fortunate enough that we have a good relationship with Minister Bennett. She's been to the Yukon a number of times and had that engagement with Yukon First Nations, however going forward I don't know whether her attention is going to be given more to those nations that are currently in the treaty process.”

Even Premier Sandy Silver (Klondike) is taking a wait and see approach to the two new departments. “The devils are in the details. I talked with the Grand Chief about this. We're both very cautiously optimistic about this. Going back 20 years ago, this was recommended. These decisions, this direction is not something that we are going to be taking lightly. We're happy to see it. I think when you take a look at Crown-Indigenous affairs as a stand-alone agency, or Ministry that does bode well for what we're promoting here in the Yukon. I think we're looking very much forward to consulting on the process to replace INAC with two distinct federal departments.”

What is going to be difficult for Trudeau is to abolish the Indian Act, something he’s pledged to do. “Its a big change and its an important change. Quite frankly, it's a necessary change. We heard from Indigenous Peoples, we heard from Canadians and we share both their frustration and impatience and their ambition for our country. Its time to renew the federal government's relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on the principal's of rights, recognition and self-determination.”

Johnston says this will be a tall but tough order. “It's going to be tough. You got 634 nations, each unique in their own situation. At the end of the day, I think the abolishment of the Indian Act is going to...It's what’s holding us back in a lot of ways. In the spirit of reconciliation, we need to get those process out of the way, and look towards self-determination.”

(Dan Jones Whitehorse September 5, 2017)