First 2019 Yukon Forum Held Yesterday in Whitehorse

Friday, 15 February 2019 12:20

Discussions around mining, economic development, and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework were all discussed at the meeting with Yukon First Nation leaders and the Territorial Government.

The First Yukon Forum of 2019 happened yesterday afternoon in Whitehorse on the 26th anniversary of the Umbrella Final Agreement.

Issues included mining, economic development, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and the next Intergovernmental Forum with the federal government.

Grand Chief Peter Johnston says it's important to discuss important issues together, particularly as a federal election looms.

"I think some of the benefits we have going forward, obviously with the federal election looming, the more that we can come together as counterparts and through different levels of government... and define the priorities that we'd like to bring forward from a solid one-voice perspective, the more benefits we're going to have."

Premier Sandy Silver says conversations around economic issues have to start from a government-to-government approach first to get mining and other development projects in the Territory right from the beginning.

"Small pieces have to be figured out, but that's the benefit of the Yukon Forum of understanding where we are collectively. We've made some real progress on a couple of small items within these recommendations which will then allow us to move forward out of a government-to-government discussion into s stakeholder conversation with the mining industries. You have to get it right from the beginning."

While the next intergovernmental forum, a meeting between Federal and Territorial Ministers and Yukon First Nations, hasn't been set as of yet, Silver says the topics discussed in the meeting on Thursday will be brought forward at the forum when it is scheduled.

The Yukon Forum occurs four times a year between the Yukon Government, Yukon First Nations and the Council of Yukon First Nations to discuss important Indigenous issues and priorities in the Territory.

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