A solidarity event at the Yukon courts draws supporters of the Kaska Nation appeal to the construction of Kudz Ze Kayah mine, and the Yukon NDP adds its voice in support of a public inquiry into the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold mine.
Yukoners gathered outside the Yukon courts to support the Kaska Nation’s appeal of the construction of Kudz Ze Kayah mine, yesterday.
Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and Wolf Clan citizen Lianne Charlie organized the solidarity event on September 12 and 13. She says that one of the important things she wanted to do was provide context to the complicated court case.
“So, we’re calling it a ‘teach-in,’” said Charlie to CHON-FM. “So, an opportunity for us to share and explain some of the political context, the legal context, the Kaska ethics and laws that are still present (having not been ceded to Canda or the crown).”
“[It’s] an opportunity to learn and provide a different narrative to the one that’s largely told by YG that’s championing modern treaty and land claims.”
Neither Liard First Nation nor Ross River Dena Council have signed modern treaties under the Umbrella Final Agreement.
In related news, the Yukon NDP has voiced its support for the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun’s demand for a public inquiry into the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold mine.
Following an open letter from the First Nation to the Government of Yukon earlier this week, the Yukon NDP echoed its concerns.
The open letter says that a public inquiry would include an investigation into how the Yukon government’s oversight and regulation of the site may have contributed to the incident. Yukon NDP leader Kate White says that work can’t start until the government gets moving.
“The government has to accept the demand from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and actually call a public inquiry,” said White to CHON-FM. “And then, once that process gets started, it goes off on its own. It just continues on, and it wouldn’t be directed by the government. It would have a panel that would do its own work.”
“I think that the more oversight, the more eyes looking at this, the more understanding that we have; the better off we’ll be. So, of course, Yukon NDP are echoing the call for a public inquiry into the Eagle mine disaster.”
The Yukon government announced the Independent Review Board in late August. According to Na-Cho Nyäk Dun’s open letter, the First Nation was ignored when it offered to co-govern the review.
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