Indigenous issues not getting enough attention in this election, say some Yukon voters

The federal election is under two weeks away and several Yukoners say they've noticed that Indigenous issues are missing from the conversation.

"I don't think we as Native people are being seen or heard," said Susan Schinkel, a Carcross/Tagish First Nation citizen. 

In light of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods and his threats to annex Canada, Canadian sovereignty has been a major issue for many Yukoners in this federal election campaign. However, some voters say Indigenous issues seem to have meanwhile fallen by the wayside. 

"I have to say that the last [Canadian] administration really was promoting reconciliation with First Nations and I haven't seen a whole lot of progress on that," said Yukon resident, Cathy Cottrell. "And I haven't heard a whole lot about that in this election campaign."

Schinkel says drug addiction awareness matters to her during this federal election campaign.

"My concern is we're losing a whole generation of kids right now," Schinkel said. "I'm fighting to get my grandsons into treatment because one day I'll wake up and they won't be here, because of the epidemic of drugs in this town."

Environmental protection, access to water and critical minerals, mining contamination, residential school search efforts, and implementing land claim agreements are also among the issues that matter to Yukon First Nations, said Doris Bill, former chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. 

She says she wants to hear more from Yukon's federal candidates on these issues. 

Four candidates are running for the Yukon's lone seat in the House of Commons: Gabrielle Dupont for the Green Party, Brendan Hanley for the Liberals, Ryan Leef for the Conservatives, and Katherine McCallum for the NDP.  

Federal election important for First Nations without final agreements

Ann Maje Raider is a member of Liard First Nation and the executive director of the Liard Aboriginal Women's Society. Maje Raider wants to know more about the candidates' positions on Indigenous issues, particularly for the three Yukon First Nations that haven't signed their final agreements.

"It's a big concern if you have a government that doesn't support First Nations people and Indigenous rights," Maje Raider said.

With no final agreements, Liard First Nation, Ross River Dena Council and White River First Nation still rely heavily on federal funding. The Yukon's 11 other First Nations have signed final agreements with the federal and territorial governments.

Martina Volfova works for the Liard Aboriginal Women's Society. She says Yukon's MP needs to be ready to stand up for these communities. She's been working to revitalize the Kaska language and is concerned about talks to restructure the federal funding model for language revitalization. 

"The three nations that have not settled…they're really at the mercy of whatever, whatever is given," Volfova said. "And in the last seven to eight years, it's been just the same amount — $375,000 for a year — to try to revitalize language. That's really inadequate." 

She wants the territory's MP to make a long-term commitment to revitalizing language. 

"There's just a lot more money that needs to be invested if the government really cares if the language survives," Volfova said.

Yukon's four federal candidates will have a chance this week to address some the issues that matter to Yukon First Nations. 

The Council of Yukon First Nations is hosting an all-candidates forum on Wednesday at the Beringia Centre in Whitehorse, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.