This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government.
The Dawson Regional Planning Commission has reached an important milestone by releasing its Final Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan. This is a significant achievement towards the meaningful implementation of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement and a step towards sustainable development in the Dawson region.
The Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government thank the Dawson Regional Planning Commission members and staff for their hard work and dedication in completing the Final Recommended Plan. Both governments also wish to thank their own teams, affected Yukon First Nations, stakeholders and the public for their valuable contributions to the process over the past several years.
While today represents an important milestone, there is still more work ahead. It is now up to the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government to conduct joint public consultation with affected communities. Those communities’ contributions will help the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government determine whether to accept, reject or modify the plan. The consultation is a requirement under the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement.
The Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government will then work together through a Senior Liaison Committee to seek consensus on the Final Recommended Plan and their respective decisions to accept, reject or modify the plan. Both governments encourage all Yukoners to review the Final Recommended Plan and to stay engaged as they progress into the next phase of public consultation, the details of which will be announced soon.
I want to thank Commission Chair Debbie Nagano, current and past members and staff for the years of work they have invested in this important planning process. We are looking forward to working with Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in to continue advancing land planning in the Dawson region, as we seek consensus on a Final Plan to bring land use certainty and broad benefits for the people who live and work in the Dawson region.
Thanks to the hard work and collaborative approach of the Dawson Regional Planning Commission, I am pleased to see the release of the Final Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan. We are committed to continue working with the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government to review the plan and ensure that it benefits the residents of the Dawson region and the vast land, waters and fish and wildlife populations that this plan affects.
The Final Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan is the result of countless years of dedication and collaboration. Those who have contributed to this plan have done so with integrity and respect and an understanding that every decision made about our land will echo far into the future. Mähsi cho to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Citizens who are Commission members. I have no doubts that your contributions have been invaluable towards this significant milestone. I also want to thank all Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Citizens who have lent their voice and knowledge to the process and to the plan. This input is irreplaceable and we cannot achieve a meaningful land use plan under Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement without it. I encourage all Citizens to review the Final Recommended Plan and to work with us as we move into the next phase of the process. On behalf of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government, we look forward to working alongside the Government of Yukon towards a Final Plan for the Dawson Region that will uphold the objectives of Chapter 11 and ensure sustainable development of our lands for future generations.
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Under Chapter 11 of the Umbrella Final Agreement and Yukon First Nations Final Agreements, the Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada and signatory Yukon First Nations agreed to a process for regional land use planning in the Yukon.
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The Dawson Regional Planning Commission is an independent body which the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government agreed to establish. The Commission’s role is to develop and present a Recommended Land Use Plan and, if needed, a Final Recommended Plan for the region to the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government.
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The Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 that resumed the planning process for the Dawson region . As part of the memorandum of understanding, the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government agreed to jointly conduct consultation on the Final Recommended Plan with affected communities.
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Separately, the Government of Yukon will consult with White River First Nation, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun on potential impacts the Final Recommended Plan and any proposed modifications may have on their Indigenous and treaty rights.
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After consultation with affected communities and affected First Nations, the Government of Yukon and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government will seek to reach consensus on a decision to approve, reject or modify the plan.
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Consultation with affected communities and affected First Nations is a required step in regional land planning under Chapter 11 of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement signed with the governments of Canada and Yukon.
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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]
Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
[email protected]
Miriam Behman
Communications, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
[email protected]