Yukon First Nations will make their displeasure known at polls, says outgoing grand chief

The outgoing grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations believes the Yukon Party government will answer at the polls later this yearfor its antagonism towards First Nations.

Ruth Massie said the relationship with the Yukon government should be the most important one for First Nations.But she said under her six yeartenure as grand chief, getting the Yukon government to respect its First Nations' counterparts has proven to be very difficult.

"We haven't seen eye-to-eye on several topics, and we've had to go the distance to make our point including court," she said.

Massiepoints toBill S-6,which amended Yukon's Environmental and Socio Economic Assessment Act (YESAA).
The Yukon government was an enthusiastic supporter of the bill, and both former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former Indian Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt have said the Yukon asked for the four contentious provisions that prompted a court challenge.

Massie said thosechanges to YESAA were unacceptable to First Nations, and threatened the integrity of the land claims agreements.

She predicted First Nations voters will make their displeasure known at the ballot box in this year's territorial election.

"For First Nations, [the] Yukon government crossed that bridge and we've taken note."

Better relationship with federal government

In contrast to the antagonism with the Yukon government,Massiesaid the relationship with the Liberal federal government is so far "very, very positive."

"I really find this current government is really making an effort to address our needs."

In last fall's federal election, CYFNurged its membership to vote "strategically", which meant a vote for the Liberals.

Massie said she wouldn't be surprised to see the same sort of movement at the territorial level.

"Yukon First Nations are definitely paying attention. They'll look at the history of what has happened, and they'll look at their needs and their priorities going forward."

Massie noted that the biggest challenge facing the nextgrand chief, Peter Johnston, will be to get the current Yukon government to treat First Nations governments as equals.

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Johnston will be sworn in as grand chief at the CYFN general assembly at the end of June.

Massiesaid sheplans to retire from public life.