B.C. First Nation files second suit over claims in Yukon

The Taku River Tlingit First Nation based in Atlin, B.C. is doubling up on legal action over its land claims.

It’s filed a second lawsuit in Yukon Supreme Court asking the court to protect lands it has claimed in the territory. The lawsuit targets the federal government for failing to protect the First Nation’s claims in Yukon.

Those claims include all of the land about 100 kilometres southeast of Whitehorse around Little Atlin Lake, from Tagish to Jake's Corner.

The First Nation’s legal documents say that traditional territory was acknowledged by the federal government at least 30 years ago, but Ottawa has not followed through with promises to negotiate a treaty and control of the land was devolved to the Yukon Government in 2003.

First Nation lawyers insist Ottawa is obliged to protect those lands until the claims can be settled.

There's no mention of a Yukon government plan for a campground at the north end of Atlin Lake. A separate lawsuit was filed earlier this year against that plan.

Neither government has responded to either suit.