Carcross/Tagish First Nation facts for kids
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| People | |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Carcross/Tagish First Nation Self-Government Agreement |
| Headquarters | Carcross |
| Territory | Yukon |
| Population (2019) | |
| On reserve | 110 |
| On other land | 103 |
| Off reserve | 486 |
| Total population | 699 |
| Government | |
| Chief | Lynda Dickson |
| Website | |
| ctfn.ca | |
The Carcross/Tagish First Nation (often called C/TFN or CTFN) is a group of Indigenous people living in the Yukon territory of Canada. Their traditional homes were in places like Carcross, Tagish, and Squanga. Today, many members also live in Whitehorse. The original languages spoken by the Carcross/Tagish people were Tagish and Tlingit.
Did you know that the first discovery of gold that started the famous Klondike Gold Rush was made by Tagish people? This event changed the history of the Yukon!
In 2006, the Carcross/Tagish First Nation signed a special agreement called a Self-Government Agreement. This means they have the power to make their own laws and manage their own affairs, much like a local government. They are one of 11 First Nations in the Yukon that have this important self-governing status.
Contents
How the Carcross/Tagish First Nation is Governed
The Carcross/Tagish First Nation uses a unique system of government based on different family groups called clans. There are six main clans that help run the First Nation's government.
Understanding the Clan System
The six clans are divided into two main groups, known as moieties:
- The Wolf Moiety includes the Daḵlʼaweidí and Yanyeidí clans.
- The Raven Moiety includes the Deisheetaan, G̱aanax̱teidí, Ishkahittaan, and Kooḵhittaan clans.
Each of these six clans chooses people to represent them. These representatives work together in different groups and councils. They help make decisions and shape the rules for the First Nation.
Important Councils and Teams
Some of the groups that help guide the government include:
- The Elders Council: This group provides wisdom and guidance from the community's elders.
- The General Council: This is a larger group that discusses important issues.
- The Executive Council: This group helps manage the daily operations of the government.
- The Land Use Team: They focus on how the land is used and protected.
- The Education Advisory Committee: This team helps guide decisions about schooling and learning.
- The Family Council: They support families within the community.
- The Housing Team: This group works on providing homes for members.
Mission and Goals of the Government
The Carcross/Tagish First Nation government has a clear mission. They are dedicated to protecting the environment, health, and education of their people. They also work hard to keep their culture and traditions alive for future generations. Another important goal is to manage their natural resources and strengthen their economy. This helps ensure a strong future for the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.
Famous People from Carcross/Tagish First Nation
The Carcross/Tagish First Nation is home to several important historical figures, especially those connected to the Klondike Gold Rush.
The discovery of gold that started the Klondike Gold Rush is often credited to an American named George Carmack. However, two key members of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, also played a huge role. They made their own gold claims right next to Carmack's discovery. They shared in the wealth from all four claims, which was reported to be over a million dollars – a massive amount of money back then!
