Carcross-Tagish FN signs deal with Yukon for developments

The Yukon government and the Carcross-Tagish First Nation have signed a deal that will see the two governments co-operate on a number of land development proposals.

The chief of the Carcross-Tagish First Nation says it's what land claims agreements are meant to be about.

"Governments working together, moving forward, I believe that's what self-government is about," said Danny Cresswell,
chief of the Carcross-Tagish First Nation. "What our land claims agreements were about was the future and how do we do joint developments, how do we make these agreements work for us and for the people in our traditional territories. This is a very big deal."

The most immediate result will be the sale next summer of wilderness lots not accessible by road.

More long-term plans include a high end resort on Bennett Lake, the development of a large parcel of First Nation land in Carcross and a public marina in the community.

Cresswell says the First Nation still has to decide whether to sell any of its land to non-members.