Bob Dickson Acclaimed As Kluane First Nation Chief

Thursday, 18 July 2019 14:59

Bob Dickson has been acclaimed to serve another term as Kluane First Nation Chief.

Bob Dickson has been acclaimed to serve another term as Kluane First Nation Chief. Building a school in Burwash Landing and building a new community water plant are some of the priorities he says he will have during his term.

Kluane First Nation Chief Bob Dicksons says he's pleased and honored to serve another term as chief. He was acclaimed after nominations closed July 8th.

Chief Dickson says many of his priorities in his next term are infrastructure focused.

"My priorities for the Kluane First Nation include building a school here in our traditional territory. We need a new administration building and we need to continue to work with the Yukon government to build a water plant. There are also other services the First Nation needs. That includes a health and wellness station and some sort of agreement with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for policing in this area.

Kluane First Nation students are currently being bused to the school in Destruction Bay, 17 kilometres away from Burwash Landing. The First Nation is currently being policed through the RCMP detachment at Haines Junction.

Chief Dickson says the school project for Burwash Landing has been a flashpoint topic for many years with many different governments.

"We've been asking for a school since 1917. That's 102 years since we've had that request for a school in our traditional territory here in Burwash Landing. We have a team setup to negotiate with the Yukon government around the parameters for the school size, the location of the school, and the grades that would consist in it.

Chief Dickson says negotiations around the school project are still stalled with the Yukon government.

"We still are waiting for the Yukon government to come back to the table with some options for us. The option we would like to see is for the Kluane First Nation to build the school and lease it back to the Yukon government."

Chief Dickson says election for the rest of the Kluane First Nation council will be held August 23rd. Five people are running.

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