Government of Yukon officials and Yukon First Nations return from Ottawa

Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations

Days from the 45th anniversary of the presentation of Together Today for our Children Tomorrow by a group of Yukon Chiefs to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau in Ottawa, a group of Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations delegates have wrapped up their Yukon Days meetings.

Premier Sandy Silver, Government of Yukon Ministers, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and other First Nations Chiefs met with federal ministers to discuss key issues of importance to Yukoners.

Key meetings included:

  • Minister Carolyn Bennett, Premier Sandy Silver, Minister Ranj Pillai, Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Chief Roberta Joseph discussed the split of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada into Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada with a focus on how that change will affect Yukon.
  • Minister Maryam Monsef, Minister Jeanie Dendys and Chief Doris Bill met about the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
  • Minister Jane Philpott, Premier Sandy Silver, Minister Pauline Frost, Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Chief Doris Bill spoke about child welfare.

More than ten other official meetings with various federal ministers were held on topics that ranged from health concerns of cannabis use, the opioid crisis, First Nation skill development, infrastructure funding for communities, Yukon River salmon, and the Porcupine caribou herd.

The wide variety of subjects allowed the delegation to offer federal ministers insights into Yukon challenges and the territory’s own solutions. The meetings will foster collaboration between all governments.

The significance of the coming anniversary was noted by Premier Silver and Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Johnston at the Yukon Days reception on Monday night.

It has been a priority for our government to work closely with First Nations governments, to foster stronger relations and collaborate on the priorities we share. Attending these meetings in Ottawa together showed the importance of speaking for Yukoners with a single voice. Our mutual determination to do what is right for Yukoners helps us find solutions and make real progress.

Premier Sandy Silver

Yukon First Nations are encouraged by the opportunities and joint efforts stemming from Yukon Days to present a unified voice. The discussions in Ottawa will continue to assist in building stronger relationships among all levels of governments.

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston

Quick facts 
  • Representing the Government of Yukon were Premier Sandy Silver, Minister Pillai, Minister Dendys, Minster Frost, Minister Streicker and Minister McPhee. Representing Yukon First Nations was CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston, Chief Bill, Deputy Chief Schultz, Chief Kane, Chief Joseph and Chief Charlie. A number of councillors from other First Nations also attended.

  • The federal Ministers that the Yukon contingent met with were: Minister of Natural Resources James Carr; Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hadju; Minister of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor; Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett; Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi; Minister of Status of Women Maryam Monsef; Minister of Small Business and Tourism Bardish Chagger; Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna; Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos; Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Singh Bains; Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott; Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly; Treasury Board President Scott Brison.

Media contact 

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Jennifer Ward
Executive Assistant, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext. 9224
executive.assistant@cyfn.net

News release #: 
18-021