Combining CYFN, AFN leadership roles could exclude some First Nations, says one chief

The chief of at least one Yukon First Nation is concerned about the upcoming merger of two regional leadership roles, saying the move may "exclude" his First Nation from any national representation.

This fall, the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) grand chief will assume the responsibilities of the Assembly of First Nations Yukon regional chief, reducing the two roles into one, under CYFN.

However, not every First Nation in the Yukon is currently represented by CYFN. Kwanlin Dün First Nation, White River First Nation, Liard First Nation and Ross River Dena Council are not CYFN members. 

Dylan Loblaw, the chief of Ross River Dena Council, says his First Nation has never considered joining CYFN, a political advocacy group. He still does not feel it would be in their best interest.

"We never agreed to devolve any authority to an agency," Loblaw said. "CYFN isn't a part of my nation."

Loblaw does not support the merging of CYFN and AFN Yukon offices. 

"The AFN Yukon region has done a good job advocating and lobbying for First Nations' national interests here in the North," he said. "Seeing it [go to CYFN] is pretty unfortunate."

Loblaw is concerned about representation for the three nations in Yukon that have not signed modern treaties, which include White River First Nation, Liard First Nation and Ross River Dena Council.

"Status quo — they'll go and use the 11 nations that have signed under the Umbrella Final Agreement, and then the three [unsigned nations] will be left out again," he said. "It'll exclude us because we're not part of CYFN, so once again, you know, my nation will be left in the dark."

Loblaw plans to look into joining the AFN regions in British Columbia or Northwest Territories, which Ross River Dena Council has connections to as a Kaska nation.

CBC News contacted the other three Yukon First Nations that are not CYFN members — Kwanlin Dün, Liard and White River — about the leadership merger, but nobody was available for an interview.

Extending CYFN membership

Last month, at the CYFN general assembly, delegates proposed a constitutional amendment to extend membership to the four non-member First Nations.

Kluane Adamek, AFN's Yukon regional chief, said in an emailed statement that the goal was to ensure that all First Nations in the territory could vote for the CYFN grand chief, as they currently do for the AFN regional chief. 

However, the resolution was voted down.

Newly-elected CYFN Grand Chief Math'ieya Alatini says she feels that happened because there weren't representatives from all the non-member First Nations there to vote. 

"I'm understanding the uncomfortable situation that the nations had when they were looking at passing the resolution, and nations that it pertained to were not in the room," Alatini said.

Alatini says although the membership resolution didn't pass, the door is always open for non-members to join CYFN.

Nations can pass their own resolutions to join CYFN, which would be followed by a CYFN leadership meeting to accept the membership, Alatini said.

Alatini said that as CYFN grand chief, she'll aim to balance representation for all Yukon First Nations.

"We also have to be thinking of the three nations that do not have modern treaties," she said. "Because those nations are still governed under the Indian Act and when there are changes, we have to be cognizant of that distinct relationship."

Alatini said prior to the merging of the leadership roles this fall, she will discuss CYFN membership with the four non-members. If they decide to stay out of CYFN, she said she will meet with them to discuss other ways for them to be represented.

Although voting rights and working groups are reserved for members, non-members can still be present at CYFN leadership meetings.

"In that way, operationally, not a lot shifts," Alatini said. "It is of interest though, for nations to be speaking and being at the table and giving clear mandate and giving clear direction."

Integration of the CYFN and AFN Yukon Region offices will be complete by Oct. 1. While Alatini said the primary reason for the merger is to save money, she hopes the amalgamation will bring unity to Yukon First Nations.

"When we look at the 50-plus years of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow and the idea of working together for our children tomorrow, it really comes from that strength of one voice — and that is what CYFN is."