Yukon Land Claims facts for kids

The Yukon Land Claims are special agreements made in Yukon, Canada. These agreements are between the First Nations (the original people of the land) and the Canadian government. They are about who owns and controls the land.

First Nations believe they have rights to the land because their ancestors lived there for thousands of years. They used the land and its resources long before others arrived.

History of the Claims

Unlike many other parts of Canada, First Nations in Yukon did not sign treaties with the government until the 1990s. Back in 1902, Chief Jim Boss of the Ta'an Kwach'an asked the Canadian government for money. He wanted payment for lands and hunting areas lost because of the Klondike Gold Rush. But his letter was ignored.

The issue came up again much later, in the 1970s. In 1973, Chief Elijah Smith wrote an important paper called Together Today For Our Children Tomorrow. This paper started the modern talks.

Negotiations happened in the late 1970s and early 1980s. An agreement was reached, but it was later turned down. Talks started again in the late 1980s. This led to the "Umbrella Final Agreement" (UFA) in 1990.

The UFA is like a main plan or guide. It helps each of the fourteen Yukon First Nations make their own specific agreements. The UFA was signed in 1993. The first four First Nations signed their land claims in 1995. By 2016, eleven of the fourteen First Nations had signed agreements. Three First Nations (White River, Liard, and Ross River Dena Council) are not currently negotiating.

In Yukon, the First Nations wanted their agreements to include all their people. This was different from other Canadian land claims. They wanted to include everyone they considered part of their nation. This was true whether the government officially recognized them as "Status Indians" or not.

In 1973, two groups, the Yukon Indian Brotherhood and the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians, joined together. They formed the Council for Yukon Indians (CYI) to negotiate the land claim. These groups later officially merged in 1980 under the CYI name. In 1995, the CYI changed its name to the Council of Yukon First Nations.

Before the Agreement

Before Yukon First Nations gained their self-governance, the federal government controlled how they used their land. First Nations believed they owned all the land and resources in Yukon. This was based on their traditional use of the land.

However, a government department called Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) managed all affairs in Yukon. INAC was in charge of programs for law, land reserves, health, social services, and housing. Yukon First Nation bands helped carry out these programs. But they could not change them.

The Yukon Native Brotherhood

In 1968, Chief Elijah Smith started the Yukon Native Brotherhood. Twelve Yukon First Nation bands joined. This group was formed to speak up for the rights of Yukon First Nations. It was a big step towards the UFA and First Nations governing themselves.

Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow

In January 1973, Chief Elijah Smith wrote Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. Smith and other Yukon elders, including Roddy Blackjack, presented this paper to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It was their plan for Yukon First Nations to regain independence and self-governing power.

In the introduction, Smith wrote about the Yukon Native Brotherhood wanting a fair agreement. This agreement would be good for both Yukon First Nations and the Government of Canada.

The second part of the paper talked about the challenges faced by Indigenous people in Canada. These challenges came after European settlers arrived and changed their lives. Smith pointed out major events that changed the Indigenous way of life. These included the Fur Trade, the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, Residential Schools, and the building of the Alaska and Dawson highways.

In the third part, Smith looked at issues from the early 1970s. He wanted to challenge common ideas about Yukon Indigenous people at the time. He also shared the Indigenous perspective on non-Indigenous people. Smith recognized the differences between the cultures. He said that because of these differences, Indigenous people needed to manage their own societies. Smith showed how an agreement could help future generations.

In the fourth part, called "Tomorrow," Smith explained how Yukon First Nations would use their independence. He listed eight areas they would focus on:

Programs

Smith said that some Canadian Government programs did not help Indigenous people in Yukon. Sometimes, they even caused harm. To fix this, Yukon First Nations would remove some programs. They would also create new programs that better fit their needs.

Our Old People

The proposed agreement would help elderly people in Yukon. Many lived in senior homes run by non-Indigenous administrators. Smith suggested they should move back to their villages. Their own people could care for them, with money from the Settlement Fund. This would also let elders share their wisdom with younger generations. It would help keep Indigenous culture strong.

Our Cultural Identity

Smith also focused on the cultural importance of Yukon First Nations. He said that younger generations must learn about their heritage to keep it alive. In the past, young people were sometimes taught to be ashamed of their heritage. An agreement could change this. By reaching a settlement, Yukon society could focus on its culture without outside influence.

Community Development

Many Yukon communities were not well developed. Poor health, low income, bad housing, and unemployment were common problems. Smith suggested that with the agreement, communities could create their own local governments. This would help them develop and make progress.

Education

Smith explained that the education from the Canadian Government did not match the values of Yukon Indigenous people. The government's education focused on the economy and encouraged university studies. Smith believed that if Yukon First Nations could change the education system, they could create programs that fit their people. These programs could teach about the land, art, and crafts.

Economic Development

In Yukon, most businesses were controlled by non-Indigenous employers. Smith said that Indigenous people needed a chance to play a bigger role in the economy. He mentioned that the Yukon Native Brotherhood had suggested many economic development projects.

Communications

Smith noted that Indigenous people in Yukon should be able to create and share their own views. They should have their own radio, TV, and newspapers.

Research

Finally, Smith talked about research in Yukon. He said that Yukon First Nations would do their own research. This research must help their own communities, not just outside groups. Smith listed organizations needed to manage land, money, and programs in Yukon. He ended by saying, "The first five years of the implementation will tell if this Settlement will be able to do for our children what we plan it to do."

What the Agreements Include

Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA)

The Umbrella Final Agreement was the main plan for negotiating individual Yukon First Nation agreements. The UFA set aside a total amount of money as payment. It also returned about 8.5 percent of Yukon's land area to First Nations. Most of this land is fully owned by First Nation governments. Some existing reserves were also kept. The UFA also called for new groups and committees. These groups would give community ideas and make recommendations to the government.

The 11 First Nations who signed the agreement are:

• Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
• First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
• Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
• Selkirk First Nation
• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
• Ta’an Kwäch’än Council
• Kluane First Nation
• Kwanlin Dün First Nation
• Carcross/Tagish First Nation

Final (Land Claim) Agreements

The Final Agreements are modern treaties. They are protected by the Canadian constitution. They explain the rights of First Nations on their Settlement Land and within their Traditional Territory. These agreements cover many topics. These include heritage, fish and wildlife, resources like minerals, water management, forestry, taxes, money payments, and economic development. They also cover land owned and managed by the First Nation.

Self-Government Agreements

Each land claims agreement also comes with a Self-Government agreement. This gives First Nations the right to make their own laws in many areas. These agreements give First Nations the power to control their own affairs. They also explain how a First Nation can take responsibility for providing programs or services to its citizens.

Other parts of the Land Claims agreement include ending tax exemptions for Yukon First Nations people (starting January 1, 2001). They also include rules about hunting rights for other Indigenous peoples on each First Nation's traditional territory.