Council for Yukon Indians
Organization profile published 1978
http://www.connexions.org/Groups/Subscribers/CxG2909.htm
http://www.cyfn.ca/
Year Published: 1978
Resource Type: Organization
Cx Number: CX569
Abstract:
Connexions has published numerous abstracts on the Council for Yukon Indians.
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This abstract was published in Connexions Digest in 1978:
The Council for Yukon Indians is the official negotiating agent in land claims for all people of Yukon Native Ancestry. It came into existence in 1973 after the trudeau government agreed to enter into negotiations based upon the acceptance of The Yukon Aboriginal Claim.
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This abstract, published in Connexions Digest in 1979, details the Council for Yukon Indians information kit:
In conjunction with the Native Northern Rights Campaign in March, the Council for Yukon Indians (CYI) prepared an information kit covering their history, goals and present position. The CYI was formed in 1973, representing "all people of Yukon Indian ancestry, regardless of their status under the Indian Act", to negotiate ancestral claims for Indian land and Indian rights in the Yukon.
The Indians of the Yukon are seeking self-determination in their traditional lands, the right to determine the institutions which will implement the settlement of the lands, and legislative control over activities on the land. They are demanding a change in federal negotiating stances. Until February 22, 1979 the Yukon Territorial Government sat at negotiations as an observer, but the Federal Government was the negotiator. In February, the CYI was presented with a Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement between the Commissioner of Yukon Territory and the Minister of Indian Affairs, Hugh Faulkner. This gives the Territorial Government signatory and legislative veto power over negotiations. This could lead to their becoming the main federal negotiators. The Territorial Government also desires provincial status, by which it can gain control over lands and resources, control now held by the Federal Government under the B.N.A. Act. The CYI resists this move until all land claims are settled. They fear the repetition of the British Columbia situation where the provincial government received control over all lands and resources and now refuses to recognize the legal claim of Indian people. Other documents in the kit elaborate on these positions and seek southern support for their struggle.
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This abstract was published in Connexions Digest in 1983:
The COUNCIL FOR YUKON INDIANS (CYI) was created in 1973, to negotiate a land claims settlement for Yukon Indian people. It is a policy, research and lobbying organization. CYI represents status and non-status Indians. Land claim beneficiaries are those who were at least one-quarter blood as of January 1941 (before the Alaska Highway), and their descendants. All 12 Yukon Indian bands are represented. Each band has an elected Band Council composed of a Chief and at least three councillors. Each band sends its Chief, three councillors and an elder to the CYI General Assembly which meets at least once a year. The Chiefs of the 12 bands meet monthly as the CYI Board of Directors. The five Executives of the Council are elected territorially every two years. They are the Chairman, Vice Chairman-Economic Development, Vice Chairamn-Finance and Administration, Vice Chairman-land Claims, and Vice Chairman-Social Programs.
Resources: "Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow," the original statement of the Yukon Indian claim, needs to be updated Kwandur, a newsletter of CYI events and policies, published once a month free. Contact Jean Van Bibber at the above address. An explanation of land claims to date is presently being produced. Booklets, cassette tapes and video are part of the land claim information program intended to give people in the 12 communities a chance to learn study the land claim agreement-in-principle. Council for Yukon Inidans, a concise information package, free. Requests for more information should be addressed to Jim Beebe.
