Yukon natives negotiate claims

The Council for Yukon Indians, Na-cho Ny’a’k Dun First Nation, the Yukon government and the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development recently completed negotiations on the principles for the first Yukon First Nation Agreement dealing with land claims.

The agreement covers 1,830 square miles of settlement land. Na-cho Ny’a’k Dun will own the mines and minerals under 930 square miles of that land. A fish and wildlife agreement has also been worked out.

“I am encouraged by this significant milestone for the Yukon claim and hope that the momentum generated by the Na-cho Ny’a’k Dun people will be carried ahead into negotiations with the Teslin Tlingit Council, the Vuntut Gwich’in in Old Crow, and Champagne and Aishihik in the next several weeks,” Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon said.