Vuntut Gwitchin severs political ties to Council of Yukon First Nations

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation says it's splitting from the Council of Yukon First Nations, citing discontent with the council's political direction.

At a community meeting Monday, the Old Crow-based First Nation announced its decision to sever its political affiliation with the council, a central organization representing 15 First Nations.

"It continues to centralize the authority of the Council of Yukon First Nations in the grand chief's office, and we just feel that we can't be part of an organization like that," Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Joe Linklater told CBC News, adding that promises of more openness and accountability have not materialized.

"Our concern is that the wrong message is being sent on behalf of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation by CYFN, and at this critical time we can't allow that to happen," he said.

The "critical time" Linklater referred to was the start of negotiations with the federal government. He said the First Nation would be more effective during those talks if it works on its own.

"We're heading into a negotiation for our financial transfer arrangement renewals," he said.

"According to our self-government agreements, this is the last chance we'll get to renegotiate our financial transfer arrangements with Canada."

Vuntut Gwitchin officials are sending a letter to CYFN Grand Chief Andy Carvill this week, announcing their decision.

While it is cutting political ties with the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Vuntut Gwitchin will continue to work with the council on administrative issues, Linklater said.

"On things like health commissions, where the health directors all meet together usually at CYFN, we will continue to send our officials to those types of meetings to work in collaboration with the other First Nation governments," he said.