LFN Election Postponed

Thursday, 21 May 2020 20:17

The Council of the Liard First Nation (LFN) announced it is postponing the LFN election due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

After three duly called meetings of the Liard First Nation Government as a Whole, the Council held a vote on May 20, 2020 in favour of postponement.

Chief Morgan said in a statement, "None of us has every lived through a once in a 100 years health pandemic before. We are already seeing spikes in jurisdictions that are opening early. It is important to be cautious and make the best decisions we can."

The Council has asked the Election Committee to provide a health and safety plan approved by public health officials.

"All LFN citizens have a part to play in preventing the spread of the virus, and we would be negligent to hold an election during this time," said Councillor Alfred Chief. "We want to be responsible and take measures to protect the safety, health, and well-being of LFN members and staff. This illness poses a real risk to our Elders -- and that's a risk to Kaska culture and language."

The current Council is bound to adhere to the Ministerial Order issued under the Yukon's Civil Emergency Measures Act on April 2, 2020. The order limits the number of people gathering to ten or less with strict physical distancing and travel restrictions.

The postponement is centred in Council's on-going fiduciary duty to protect, preserve, and advance the interests of the entire LFN membership.

The administrative offices of LFN have been closed since March 21, 2020, due to COVID-19 -- except for essential services. Since the outbreak Council has been meeting weekly via conference call.

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