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

Updates from the second day of the Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly that took place in Dawson City this week.

Audit

To start the talks today, a newly-outlined auditor's report showed increased budget funding for the Council of Yukon First Nation this year.

The Yukon Native Language Centre saw a budget increase year-over-year from $450,000 to $1.2 million. Officials highlight language-nest training in First Nation communities and development of First Nation language apps as some initiatives benefiting from increased funding.

White River First Nation Chief Angela Demit commented on the report, saying funds need to be utilized efficiently to help revitalize the Upper Tanana and Northern Tutchone languages.

Teslin Tlingit Council First Nations member Duane Gastant' Aucoin highlighted that First Nations funding is far below that of French funding in the territory, which is at approximately $16 million.

First Nation Chief Roberta Joseph says the audit shows non-insured health coverage continues to come up short for many First Nation communities in the territory.

Audit- continued

Discussions around the audio report continued into the late morning.

Audit officials say inconsistent year-over-year funding by the federal governments often makes it hard for First Nations to identify priority projects in their communities. Staff shortages were another issue raised during the audit report.

Selkirk First Nations members say more money needs to be spent on Elders helping First Nation members learn their native language.

Shortly after, the audited financial statements for the year ending March 31,2019 were  passed.

Strategic Objects

Council Of Yukon First Nation Chief Peter Johnston says implementing an Elder age and reviewing the membership structure are some things being changed as an organization.

Clarifying roles of bodies in organizations, development of titles based on legal review and an updated strategic communications plan sent to Yukon First Nation leaders every six weeks are some objectives Grand Chief Peter Johnston says the Council of Yukon First Nation has moving forward.

During his speech, Chief Johnston noted that loan-forgiveness for Yukon First Nations is a renewed focus to work on with the newly split Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs federal branch.

Later on,Chief Johnston noted improved procurement around First Nation housing, updating preventative measures to the Liquor Act and educating First Nation members about their rights in the criminal justice system are other strategic objectives the Council of Yukon First Nations has.

Chief Johnston says an established First Nations language trust will also help ensure council funding for Indigenous priorities in the territory. 

Towards the latter half of his speech, Chief Johnston said he remains committed to working with federal ministers to establish more  First Nation self-government agreements in the north. 

Looking at a northern climate change plan for all three territories was another important priority Chief Johnston noted to help combat a warming climate in the north.

As echoed earlier, Chief Johnston says digitizing First Nation languages and creating a Yukon First Nations curriculum framework are some First Nations revitalization efforts needed as more funding is utilized.

Feedback from Other Leaders

After Grand Chief Peter Johnston's speech, First Nation representatives had an opportunity to voice their thoughts on the organizations agenda.

Selkirk First Nation members said they would like to see more information released and reviewed on the Gladue Report by First Nation communities.

Members also suggested that Yukon government representatives need to reach out to First Nation communities to discuss local issues relevant to them.

First Nation representatives also discussed establishing an Indigenous territorial wellness centre to help those currently or who were previously  at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre and other territorial facilities.

Ta'an Kwach'an Council members said a previous bi-lateral climate strategy excluded them during conversations with the territorial and federal governments. Grand Chief says a new chapter with Yukon First Nations and governments will commit all governments to work together on climate change.

On another topic, White River First Nation says health care issues, housing shortages, and language issues were some challenges for them to implement  their agreements due to the small size of their community. Members invited other First Nations to their community to work on issues collaboratively.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report

Kwanlin Dun First Nation Chief Doris Bill provided a statement on the report today.

She says an advisory committee is still absorbing all of the recommendations on a territorial level. 

Chief Bill highlights Indigenous women's groups are key partners to implementing the changes. Educating First Nation members on the report, encouraging everyone to read the report, and working on implementing portions of the report at a time are realistic ways she says will help tackle the issue.

Taking into account the Gladue Report for all Indigenous justice cases is also important, Chief Bill highlights.

Yukon First Nation leaders also highlighted the important identity and role women play in  First Nation communities, particularly since all communities at the assembly table have matrilineal society forms of kinship.

After the speech, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys stated her governments commits to reviewing and implementing many of the report's recommendations. Denny's says an action plan has been implemented and more details on next steps by government will be made public shortly.

Teslin Tlingit Council Member Duane Gastant' Aucoin stated how clan members have a shared responsibility for one another, highlighting how issues and trauma often are often inherently passed down from generations.

Duane Gastant' Aucoin said when one of his family members were taken away to Lower Post, when they returned, they gave many of the symptoms they endeavoured during the outing to other family members. Addressing, sharing and repairing issues with one another are ways to help break the cycle, Aucoin notes.

Elder and Youth Meetings

After lunch, Grand Chief Peter Johnston highlighted the updated elections process for Council of Yukon First Nation Youth and Elder leadership positions this afternoon.

During the election briefings, Chief Johnston highlighted how many First Nation youth can help share important Indigenous issues with the  social media skills they hold.

Chief Johnston says fundraising efforts are being made to ensure youth and elder mandates will be fulfilled in the communities.

Meetings Response

White River First Nation members highlighted that mailing ballots for elections would've helped more people participate in the election process.

Chief Johnston highlighted that despite the absence of mailing ballots,  the elections were impactful and cost effective. 

Assembly of First Nation Chief Kluane Adamek said  investigating the regional  election process on a smaller scale  will help leaders conduct better representation for their First Nations on a national level. 

Trondëk Gwich'in representatives said its up to the communities to help with fundraising efforts for elections, and to not put all the responsibility with the Council of Yukon First Nations as an organization.

Education Issues

The Chiefs Committee on Education voiced their concern today regarding the Yukon governments handling of First Nations education.

Committee representatives, also referring to a recently conducted Yukon Education Auditor General's report, say the Yukon government haven't  been evaluating much of the outcomes educational programming is having on Yukon First Nation students.

A five-year regional education agreement, including the hiring of a First Nations education directorate, is proposed to be reached by the committee with the territorial and Yukon governments.

Committee representatives say $800,000 is being earmarked for the initiative by the committee to hire consultants and get the agreements off the ground.

AFN Annual Summit- Tomorrow (Thursday)

The Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Kluane Adamek highlighted the agenda for their annual summit tomorrow.

An opening prayer, a year-in review, updates on a strategic plan and national updates on federal Indigenous legislation are all on the table.