39th Annual Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly: Day One

Tuesday, 25 June 2019 16:03

Council of Yukon First Nation Grand Chief was officially acclaimed to another three-year term today.

It was a busy day to mark the start of the 39th Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly taking place in Dawson City. Here are the takeaways from day one.

START (8:00 AM)

Yukon First Nation delegates, Elders and chiefs all officially convened at the 39th Annual Yukon First Nations General Assembly taking place in Dawson City today. Other representatives at the meetings included Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys.

To start off, First Nation representatives all joined at the assembled tents on the city's local baseball diamonds this morning for a breakfast where all the events are being held.

To commence the meeting, a prayer was given from Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nations member Elma Moses, who recalled the history of her family and travels to Mayo. Moses reflected back on her history with land claim meetings in Yukon and after presented a quilt to Grand Chief Peter Johnston.

Before introductions, First Nation chiefs also highlighted how these First Nation general assemblies started years before the official one back in 1980.

Delegations (10:00 AM)

Opening remarks from Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston started things off, highlighting how loan reimbursement regarding Yukon First Nations land claims was one prominent issue being worked on in his past term.

After, Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation Chief Roberta Joseph, Deputy Chief Champagne / Ashihik Rose Kushniruk, White River First Nations Chief Angela Demmet, Ta'an Kwach'an Council Chief Kristina Kane, Carcross / Tagish Deputy Chief Maria Benoit, Gwich'in Tribal Council Grand Chief Bobbie Jo Greenland Morgan, Kluane First Nation Chief Bobby Dickson, Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nations Deputy Chief Ed Schultz, members of the Nacho-Nyak Dun, Selkirk First Nation, Teslin Tlingit Council, and Assembly of First Nation regional Kluane Adamek all introduced their delegates at the assembly.

After delegation announcements, Deputy Chief Ed Shultz took a moment to address the assembly, highlighting how clean energy infrastructure needs to be established in First Nations communities to help with decolonization.

TOPICS AND RESOLUTIONS (11:30 AM)

Just before noon, minutes of last years assembly were approved. Shortly after, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief established a resolution to create a political and media strategy to help with loan forgiveness payments back to Yukon First Nations over the next years.

A resolution to re-open the General Assembly Inter-Tribal Watershed Council office in Whitehorse also went forward. Ross River Dene Council members say an interim board of directors have been established to help determine next steps of the project.

Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation Chief Roberta Joseph also commented on the resolution, highlighting how councils should investigate and provide more input on current and future land-use plans around critical conservation areas of the Yukon.

A resolution to work collaboratively with Council of Yukon First Nations representatives to help in the construction and design of a new business building also went forward. Grand Chief Peter Johnston says working with First Nation Development Corporations will make the project possible by 2021.

Little Salmon/Carmamcks First Nation Deputy Chief Ed Shultz commented on the resolution, saying he'd like to see more consultation with First Nation development corporations in the construction of the project.

Shortly after, Yukon First Nation leaders highlighted that the Yukon Placer Mining Act legislation wasn't meeting the final agreement needs of many communities.

Near the end of the resolutions, members of the Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nations highlighted their frustration around Yukon governments handling of the Mount Nansen remediation site, saying creek beds are being permanently destroyed by the Mount Nansen project. Consensus to hire local First Nations workers in the remediation project was also given.

Swearing-in Ceremonies (1:30 PM)

Council of Yukon First Nation Grand Chief Peter Johnston officially was acclaimed to another three-year term in his position in front of over 150 people to start off the afternoon. Two Yukon First Nation Song and dances also performed as a celebration to mark the occasion.

A beaded medallion was presented to Grand Chief Peter Johnston at the event today by almost 40 Council of Yukon First Nation staff. Most of the staff traveled up to Dawson for the general assembly.

James Allen was also sworn-in to the Council of Yukon First Nations Elder leadership role this afternoon. After being sworn-in, Allen requested an annual Elders meeting to be held in collaboration with other Yukon First Nations.

Finally, Morris Morrison was sworn-in as the Council of Yukon First Nations Youth leadership role today. Four people casted their ballot for the position.

Final Speeches

Near the end of the ceremonies, Yukon Premier Sandy silver made an announcement regarding how his government is working to improve reconciliation with Yukon First Nations. Implementing local independent power projects for First Nation communities, investigating next territorial steps from the The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and carbon pricing rebates back into First Nation communities and development corporations were some highlights of his speech.