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Council for Yukon Indians Information KitPublisher: Council for Yukon Indians, Whitehorse, CanadaYear Published: 1979 Pages: 56pp Price: Free Resource Type: Article Cx Number: CX931 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. Abstract: 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. Subject Headings |