Clayton Thomas' wolf killing trial leans on Yukon First Nations history

Aboriginal trade in Yukon and the historicvalue of wolf pelts werein dispute Thursday in a Whitehorse courtroom, as a man fights wildlife charges for shooting wolves in the Mount Simasubdivision.

Clayton Thomas was charged under the Yukon Wildlife Acttwo years ago, after he shot two wolves in hisneighbourhood. He said the two wolves had been lingering around his propertyand he was worried for the safety of his family.

He has also argued in court that it was his right as an aboriginal Canadian to kill the wolves.

The territorial government saidit was illegal for Thomasto shoot the animals and said he was preparing to illegally sell the skins.

Thomas is a member of the TahltanFirst Nation, in northern B.C. He is represented at trial by a Tahltan oral historian, Kusta.

Kusta told court on Thursday that Thomas should not be on trial because Canada cannot enforce laws on citizens of other nations.

Kusta has also arguedthat it hasbeen customary for young Tahltan men to travel throughout northern B.C. and into Yukon without losing their right to hunt. Hesays it was normal for Tahltanpeopleto live off the land and occasionally sell furs for food or other items.

Ahistorian, testifyingfor the territorial government,disputed those claims.

Adrian Clarksaidthere's no evidence members of the Tahltan First Nation had much historic contact with First Nations people in the Whitehorse area. He also cited onehistorical sourcethat says wolf pelts were not historically sought after or traded.

Kustadisagreed andpointed out there are huge gaps in the histories written by people of European descent.He saidthe oral history is more accurate.

Both sides will make their final arguments in this phase of the trial next month.