The road to Yukon First Nations cultural sovereignty

The first treaty in Canada sets a precedent for First Nations rights

With First Nations-specific policy documents that reflect the First Nations lifestyle and aesthetic, the hope is that less disputes will need to proceed to court level for resolution. When meeting with other governmental bodies, First Nations groups will be treated as distinct governments in a respected way.

This makes Yukon’s governmental structure unique in Canada, thanks to well-developed First Nations government bodies. Four levels exist: the typical national, territorial and municipal – plus Indigenous. This structure is more reflective of the territory’s demographics

This video explains how First Nations land claims set the stage for self-government agreements in Yukon. Self-government agreements grant communities the same powers as provincial or territorial jurisdictions. Importantly, the Indian Act no longer applies to these communities as control over land usage was granted back to the long-standing occupants of the land. [Credit: Council of Yukon First Nations/Mapping the Way]

Highlights from Together Today for our Children Tomorrow (Mapping the Way)

“For Yukon Indian people to join in the social and economic life of Yukon, we must have specific rights to lands and natural resources that will be enough for both our present and future needs.”

Page 19. Our Cultural Identity
“We have had problems because many of our people have been made to feel they are not as smart as the Whiteman. There can be no equality when one feels he is not as good as someone else. When some of our people have more pride in themselves and in their own people – then they will have a better chance to look at the Whiteman as their equal.”

“Our only defence against assimilation is a strong unified Indian Identity…This Settlement will only work for our children if we are successful in helping them regain their lost pride. For that reason our cultural program will be our most important one.”

Appendix IV: The “Preliminary list of economic development proposals” includes many cultural and First Nations languages preservation initiatives: throughout the territory, a number of requests for economic development proposals are rooted in traditional cultural events: some are overt traditions-based activities like fur-buying, game-outfitting, developing “Indian Historic Sites” in Kluane National Park, and multiple requests for a fur tannery; others call upon the underlying community spirit, such as arts and crafts workshops, community freezers, a child care centre; yet others bridge the communities with the outside world, including commercial salmon fishing, the restoration of Skookum Jim’s house for tourists, and a riverboat to ferry visitors to Moosehide.

Report 66: Indigenous languages in House proceedings

On Nov. 29, 2018, the right to carry out proceedings in Indigenous languages was ratified in the House of Commons. This measure fulfilled Article 13(2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on establishing a framework for Indigenous Peoples so that they may understand political proceedings, as well as Call to Action 13 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report on granting Indigenous Peoples language rights.

Known as Report 66, it was first moved by the House Affairs Committee last June. Under this, Indigenous Members of Parliament would be free to speak in their Indigenous language, with interpretation provided for the general public.

The House Affairs Committee dictates how the House of Commons runs and is chaired by Larry Bagnell. It was an in-camera session, but Bagnell gave a synopsis of the discussion.