Whitehorse:  Working together to improve relations with First Nation governments was top of the agenda at   Yukon Liberal Party Leader Sandy Silver’s meeting with Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau in Whitehorse today.

Whitehorse:  Unsettled land claims in the Yukon continue to cause uncertainly for First Nations and industry alike and the latest court battle involving the White River First Nation is only the latest example, says Klondike MLA Sandy Silver.  Silver has been encouraging the Government of Yukon to re-engage with unsettled Yukon First Nations since he was elected in 2011.

Question re:  Robert Service School educational outreach program

Mr. Silver:    I have a question for the Minister of Education. The minister received a letter from the Chief of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation regarding the educational outreach program that is in place at Robert Service School in Dawson. The program addresses concern for youth who are struggling with regular attendance. It is clear that the dedicated teacher and associated programming have engaged our youth in a supportive learning environment. This school year, the program was made possible through the initiative of the principal and special circumstances within the school. Next academic year, the program will only be possible with a special commitment from the Government of Yukon. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in is looking forward to the continuation of the educational outreach program and is encouraging the government to commit the teaching staff resources necessary for further development and success. Will the minister make this commitment?

Question re:    First Nations/government relations 

Mr. Silver:    Mr. Speaker, last fall the Premier cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Yukon Forum on very short notice. Chiefs from around the territory had already travelled into Whitehorse for the meeting, only to be informed that the Premier would not be meeting with them. This is an example of the government’s frayed relationship with Yukon First Nations.

This week, the government announced plans to meet more often with Yukon First Nation leaders. The Premier deemed this revelation worthy enough to issue a press release confirming that more meetings would be planned. The Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations does not, however, share the Premier’s excitement. She told local media, and I quote: “…it’s the government’s feeling that we shouldn’t have to sit down and rehash issues, but we should be able to celebrate at the Yukon Forum. If we’re going to celebrate anything, the legwork has to be done…”

Why is this government dictating when it will meet and what will be on the forum agenda?

Mr. Silver: Last fall the Premier cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Yukon Forum on very short notice. Chiefs from around the territory had already travelled to Whitehorse for a meeting, only to be informed that the Premier would not be able to meet with them. It is an example of this government’s frayed relationships with Yukon First Nation governments. One of the items on the agenda was a new resource royalty agreement. On October 29, 2012, the Premier announced that a new deal with the Yukon First Nations was in place, but he said he wouldn’t be making it public until it was signed at the Yukon Forum. It turns out that announcement was premature as the deal isn’t done after all.

The forum has now been postponed indefinitely. It has been almost five months since the proposed deal was announced, but it remains under wraps. As of this week, it sounds like it might not get signed at all.

Will the Premier release the terms of the new resource royalty agreement that was referred to in the October 29 news release?

Whitehorse:  If the Premier is serious about improving his relationship with Yukon First Nations perhaps he should look at today’s announcement from Golden Predator and the Kaska Nation, says Klondike MLA Sandy Silver.  The two parties signed an exploration agreement today with respect to activities within the traditional territory of the Kaska Nation.

Whitehorse:  During the recent fall sitting Klondike MLA Sandy Silver used his time to press the government on a number of issues that are important to Yukoners. He also held meetings with constituents, industry groups, youth interested in climate change and attended the annual Geoscience Forum.

Whitehorse:  Klondike MLA Sandy Silver used his private members’ motion time on Wednesday afternoon to call on the government to adopt the JJ Van Bibber memoir; I was born under a spruce tree, as part of the Yukon’s education curriculum.  After a friendly amendment the motion received the unanimous support of the assembly.

WHITEHORSE - Darius Elias, Liberal MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, and Kevin Barr, NDP MLA for Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes, today called for the establishment of an independent Aboriginal liaison position at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre.