This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government.
The Government of Yukon and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government are launching a joint public consultation on the Final Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan.
The Dawson Regional Planning Commission released the Final Recommended Plan to the Government of Yukon, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government and the public on March 31, 2026.
The consultation includes open houses in Dawson, Mayo, Old Crow and Whitehorse, as well as virtual sessions, an online survey, opportunities for written submissions and meetings with plan partners. Members of the public, particularly those in the Dawson Planning Region, are encouraged to participate and share their feedback until December 18.
The governments of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in will use this feedback as they work together through a Senior Liaison Committee on responses to the Final Recommended Plan. Under existing commitments, the two governments will work toward a shared decision on whether to accept, reject or modify the plan.
We are so pleased to begin this phase of the Dawson Regional Land Use planning process. It has been a slow process thus far, but we are confident that the finish line is in our sights and that this final phase will be completed with minimal delay. We look forward to working with the Government of Yukon on a timely response to the Final Recommended Plan and we encourage our Citizens to be active and vocal participants in this next stage. This plan will affect and benefit all Yukoners and so it is important they are active participants in a process that enables all plan partners to have their voices heard and their interest managed sustainably. The plan is also particularly important for residents of Dawson and our Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Citizens, who call this land their ancestral home. It is vital they are active participants to the process and that we hear from them directly before making a decision.
Regional land use planning represents an important opportunity to provide long-term certainty for communities, industry and future generations. We are pleased to be moving into this next stage of the Dawson Regional Land Use Plan alongside Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and look forward to hearing from Yukoners about how we can best balance environmental protection, cultural values and responsible economic development. This consultation is an important step toward getting the final plan right.
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Public consultation begins on October 26 and runs until December 18, 2026. Yukoners can complete the survey, submit written comments and learn how to make public submissions at Yukon.ca/dawson-regional-land-use-planning.
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The Dawson regional land use planning process follows Chapter 11 of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement, which incorporates the regional planning framework established in the Umbrella Final Agreement.
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The Government of Yukon will consult with Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun as affected First Nations of the plan. The Government of Yukon will also consult with White River First Nation on their asserted rights relevant to the Final Recommended Plan. Consultation will be focused on the Government of Yukon’s response, including any proposed modifications and potential effects on Aboriginal and treaty rights.
- The Dawson Regional Planning Commission is an independent body which the governments of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in agreed to establish.
- The Commission’s role is to develop and present a Draft Plan, Recommended Plan and, if needed, a Final Recommended Plan for the region to the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government.
- The Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 to resume the planning process for the Dawson region.
- Under the memorandum of understanding, the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government agreed to jointly conduct public consultation on the Final Recommended Plan.
- To date, regional land use plans are in place for North Yukon, adopted in 2009, and Peel Watershed, adopted in 2019.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Patti Flather
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-3123
[email protected]
Elaine Corden
Director of Communications, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
604-345-2140
[email protected]