Settled FN's and YG to Examine Aboriginal Economic Opportunities

Friday, 26 May 2017 15:37

Procurement, construction, resource royalties and taxes on the table.

Settled Yukon First Nations Chiefs and the Yukon Government have completed their second Yukon Forum of 2017, still in the discussion phase of rebuilding their relationship.

The leaders all agree that the new format of increased meetings is laying the foundation for completing future work. A document was agreed upon by the leaders, with a press release saying, “The priorities include fiscal matters; cooperation on justice, education, health, and heritage initiatives; implementing the land claim and self-government agreements; and ensuring that Yukon’s legislation respects the agreements and considers First Nations’ priorities.”

The Chiefs got a commitment from the government to start the discussion on improving First Nations economic opportunities, with reviewing Chapter 22 of the Self Government agreements. Specifically, these talks could address procurement, the Yukon Asset Construction Agreements and resource revenue sharing.

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston says reviewing Chapter 22 is about expanding the wealth in First Nations communities. “Having the opportunity to benefit from that is probably one of the biggest things. Its just strengthening the opportunity to build that wealth.” “When we talk about wealth, it's not about being filthy rich, but being able to have the opportunities for our people to have safer communities, a healthier environment to grow up in.”

Premier Sandy Silver (Klondike) says in building that wealth within resource royalties, that situation is not where it should be. “Taking a look at where we're supposed to be and compared to where we actually are. Taking a look at resource royalties, taking a look at resource industry as a whole and getting back to where we are supposed to be with the final agreements. We're not where we're supposed to be right now. We need to make sure that First Nations are at the table in this pursuit.” Johnston says it's about money at the end of the day. “Unfortunately money does matter. The royalty resource sharing, I imagine will be part of the discussion going forward, especially when it comes to fiscal relations.”

Silver says he wants to avoid the courts on resource matters, calling First Nations resources rulers preferring them at the table. Johnston is pleased that government is open to dialogue on reviewing economic opportunities within the treaties, suggesting that taxation will also be look at. But he warns that the economic talks will be a tough road to hoe. “Its going to take some time to peel back the onion to find out where the core root of where our situations are, how we progress as First Nations here in the territory. That is going to take some creativity and hard talks.”

A timeline on when or how the review will take place is not yet known, as the leaders just agreed Friday to examine it.

(Dan Jones May 26, 2017)