Ross River Dena Council suing Yukon over wildlife management practices

The Yukon Government is in court today defending its wildlife management practices against theRoss River Dena Council, which isdemanding a say in how hunting licenses are issued in its traditional territory.

This follows a lawsuit the First Nationrecently won against the Yukon over consultation on mineral exploration in the region.The Dena Council's demand to be consulted on hunting licenses relies on this successful court ruling.

The First Nationclaims the government does nothing to accommodate Kaska rights when it permits non-residents to huntaround Ross River.

The Yukon government denies the charge, pointing to decades of wildlife management in the area. It blames the Dena Council for refusing to participate in discussions on wildlife issues.

Yukon hunters fear the Ross River demands could set a dangerous precedent.

Gord Zealand is the executive director of the Yukon Fish and Game Association, which has been granted intervener status in thetrial.

"If you have 15 different [First Nation]groups all with self-serving agendas, how do you come up with a plan then that accommodates the movement of wildlife and fish throughout the Yukon? How do you do that?"

Zealandand lawyers for Ross River and the Yukon Government have the next three days to make their case in frontof the Yukon Supreme Court.