Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
INTERGOV FORUM TAKES PLACE IN OTTAWA - NOT YUKON - FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING
Yukon First Nations and Government of Yukon leaders met with two federal Ministers in Ottawa this week, making it the second year in a row, Yukon's Intergovernmental Forum has not taken place in the Yukon.
They met with Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
First Nation leaders would normally travel to Ottawa this month for "Yukon Days". Now, the two events appear to have been combined.
The three parties - the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), the Government of Yukon, and Canada - reported in a joint news release that they discussed "common priorities" such as land claims implementation, but provided no further details.
CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston and seven Chiefs attended, while First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Dawna Hope and Selkirk First Nation Chief Sharon Nelson attended 'virtually' online. In total, 11 of Yukon's 14 First Nations were represented at the 2024 Intergovernmental Forum.
The next Intergovernmental Forum takes place December 2025.
Photo: (Left to right: Deputy Minister Jusin Ferbey, YG Executive Council Office; Deputy Minister Valerie Gideon, CIRNAC; Minister John Streicker, YG; Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee, YG; Deputy Chief Michelle Telep, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council; Chief Ruth Massie, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council; Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai; Dän nätthe äda (Chief) Kh’úkhįá (Barb Joe), Champagne and Aishihik First Nations; Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree; Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston; Council of Yukon First Nations Elder Representative James Allen; Chief Pauline Frost, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation; Teslin Tlingit Council Executive Council member Duane Gastant’ Aucoin; Kwänathi inlį (Chief) Robert (Bob) Dickson, Kluane First Nation; Chief Sean (Uyenets’echᶖa) Smith, Kwanlin Dün First Nation; Hähké Darren Taylor, Tr’ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation