Key Takeaways of CYFN Wrap Up and AFN Summit in Dawson City

CYFN - Council of Yukon First Nation General Assembly and the Assembly of First Nations Summit

Climate change talks were a prominent theme to start off day three of the 39th Annual Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly in Dawson City.

First Nation members highlighted how climate change is changing the migration patterns of many animals. More moose populations migrating to Old Crow was one example of climate change impacts noted by First Nation leaders.

In other climate discussions, Kluane First Nation Chief Dickson said a regular climate change conference should be held to investigate how to incorporate First Nation traditional ecological knowledge  around the impacts of climate change.

Gwich'in Tribal Council members say the First Nations climate change conference should be held by putting physical and territorial boundaries aside. Members also said more money needs to be put aside around climate change adaptation for local infrastructure projects in Old Crow. 

Elder James Allen expressed his own personal reflections to a warming climate, saying spruce beetle infestation and lack of snow is having a negative impact on trapping seasons for First Nations.

Gwichya Gwich'in members, including Elder John, said warming and lowering of water levels are negatively impacting fish populations in the territory. Many suggest more protections needs to occur around bodies of water in the Yukon.

Council Resolutions

Resolution 1

A resolution for the Council of Yukon First Nations to appoint a special committee to develop a youth mental wellness plan was passed.

The plan will revolve around life promotion, drug and alcohol prevention, suicide prevention, mental wellness initiatives among other factors for First Nations Youth.

Teslin Tlingit First Nation member Duane Gastant' Aucoin said including factors like overdoses and deaths into the suicide prevention plan might be impactful. 

Grief and support services are also planned to be provided for impacted Indigenous youth as part of the plan.

Resolution 2

A resolution  for the General Assembly to advocate with the Yukon government and enter into discussions with impacted Yukon First Nation to confirm their citizens may harvest bison's and elk for subsistence purposes has passed.

The resolution is in pursuant to section 16.4.2 of the Final Agreements.

Resolution 3

A resolution for the Council to  request more funding from the Yukon government for more First Nations language funding has passed. During the resolution,  leaders called on funding to be more comparable to that of French language investments in the territory.  The resolution will focus on increasing restoration, revitalization, preservation, protection and maintenance of First Nation languages as more funding is secured.

$14 million over three years has been given to support French language services in the Yukon in comparison to just $1.3 million   received by the Yukon Native Language Centre in 2019.

Resolution 4

A resolution to develop a comprehensive response to the Final Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has passed.

The resolution will address the root causes and impacts of family violence in Yukon and and will aim to be established collaboratively with the Yukon premier and Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate.

Resolution 5

A resolution for the Council to work with Yukon First Nations around collaboration and implementation of more  territorial housing initiatives has passed.

Resolution 6

A resolution committing Council to working on an election strategy with the Assembly of First Nations has passed.

Closing Remarks

Members of each First Nation voiced their gratitude to the Trondëk Gwich'in First Nation for letting them host the assembly on their traditional territory.

Kwanlin Dun First Nation Chief Doris Bill expressed her optimism that many of the things discussed at the assembly will be implemented.

Youth Leadership representative Morris Morrison said he's excited to be working with youth and bringing their voices on the table to the Council in the months to come.

Later on, Morrison presented a picture to the Trondëk Gwich'in First Nation members as a thank you gift for letting everyone host the assembly on their traditional territory.

-----

Assembly of First Nations Annual Summit

Assembly of First National Regional Chief Kluane Adamek  gave an opening speech at the organizations annual summit taking place in Dawson City today.

Priorities

To mark the speech, Chief Adakmek highlighted agreements, climate action and mental wellness as some roles she is carrying and working on for First Nations on a territorial and national level.

Shortly after, Chief Adamek highlighted the three strategic plans the Assembly will hold into 2021.

Ensuring  First Nations self-determination values are followed, ensuring First Nations are strategic within their Assembly of First Nation portfolios, and formalizing the Regional Office to operate as a distance political advocacy and policy organization all are were strategic priorities outlined in the summit.

AFN Charter Renewal - Regional Chief Marlene Poitras & Bonnie Leonard

Mikasso Cree First Nation Member Marlene Poitras highlighted how the Assembly of First Nation organization has helped further language revitalization, advance treaties and address health and wellness issues for First Nations on a national level.

AFN Charter Renewal legal adviser Bonnie Leonard noted the AFN Charter hasn't been updated since 2003.  She says defining who exactly is a member of the Assembly  as well as changing how resolutions in the organization are completed as  other amendments that will be looked at.

Drafting provisions around issuing of contracts of over $5000, signing of an oath when officials are elected, and guidelines around establishment of  a chiefs committee are all other recommendations  around the charter renewal.

Proportional voting, utilizing or parting from the Confederacy  of Nations, and investigating different revenue process apart from the federal government are other possible changes Leonard notes for the charter.

A new presentation of a final draft is hoping to be given for decision in early 2021. 

Feedback

Teslin Tlingit Member Duane Gastant' Aucoin suggested that Assembly First Nation officials look at how First Nations are represented on a national level who are split along colonial boundaries.

Leonard said partnering up First Nations who speak common languages could potentially address that issue.

CHON-FM will have more coverage of the summit on future newscasts.