Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #06-243
December 12, 2006
Governments Dealt With Common Interests At Yukon Forum
WHITEHORSE - At the recent Yukon Forum meeting, the Government of Yukon and First Nation governments dealt with issues of common interest, including approving projects under Northern Strategy Trust funding and endorsing an allocation formula for the money available through the Northern Housing Trust.
Premier Dennis Fentie and Grand Chief Andy Carvill reconfirmed their commitment to the process established by the Yukon Forum.
"This is another example of Yukon government and the Council for Yukon First Nations working collaboratively for the overall good of Yukon citizens," Fentie said.
"First Nations welcome the opportunity to work on a government-to-government basis with Premier Fentie at the Yukon Forum table. It was a very productive and positive meeting," Carvill said.
Yukon and First Nation governments continue their partnership on the Northern Strategy by approving the first round of projects under the Northern Strategy Trust. Seventeen projects valued at $9.34 million were approved. As a result of a framework approved by the Yukon Forum, First Nation governments and Yukon government departments are eligible to submit proposals for Northern Strategy funding. Another round of proposals will be invited in April 2007. The Yukon Forum has until 2008 to spend the $40 million fund.
The Yukon Forum members also agreed that Yukon’s $50 million share of the Northern Housing Trust would be allocated as follows: $32.5 million to Yukon First Nation governments and $17.5 million to Yukon. Yukon First Nations will determine how their portion will be allocated amongst themselves.
All parties are committed to addressing Yukon’s need for affordable housing and recognize that the Northern Housing Trust funds represent an opportunity for economic development, training and other collaborative arrangements. The Northern Housing Trust was created by the Government of Canada to support investments to increase the supply of affordable housing in the territories.
A joint Yukon government and Yukon First Nations working group on land dispositions was also struck at the Yukon Forum. This working group is tasked with exploring options and making recommendations regarding land applications that do not trigger the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Act, including applications made under the Big Game Outfitting Land Tenure Policy.
The Yukon Forum also approved the Correctional Redevelopment Strategic Plan, which sets out the direction for implementing the recommendations of the Corrections Action Plan. The Corrections Action Plan was approved at the April 3, 2006 Yukon Forum and is a product of the 15-month jointly-chaired Corrections Consultation.
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Attached: List of projects approved for Northern Strategy funding.
| Contact: | |
| Albert Petersen | David Steele |
| Cabinet Communications | Executive Director, |
| (867) 633-7961 | Council of Yukon First Nations |
| albert.petersen@gov.yk.ca | (867) 393-9225 |
| david.steele@cyfn.net |
BACKGROUNDER: 2006 APPROVED PROJECTS - NORTHERN STRATEGY TRUST
|
Project |
Amount |
Description |
| Northern Institute of Justice |
$284,000 |
To develop a Northern Institute of Justice that will provide Yukoners with training for careers in administrative justice. |
| Ice Patch Community Dimensions Project |
$193,438 |
To undertake community-based research related to ice patch discoveries, involving the six Yukon First Nations involved in the ice patch work. |
| Traditional Knowledge Policy Framework Implementation |
$347,985 |
To conduct community-based education and discussion forums to help Yukon First Nations implement policies on the management of Traditional Knowledge, pursuant to the Traditional Knowledge Policy Framework developed by the Yukon First Nation Heritage Group. |
| Vuntut Gwitchin Emergency Response/Search and Rescue |
$235,603 |
To build capacity in Old Crow and three other rural communities to provide emergency medical services. |
| Ta’an Kwach’an Range Road Clean-up |
$520,000 |
To clean up the Range Road dump and provide training and capacity building opportunities. |
| Yukon First Nation Regional Healing and Wellness Centre |
$136,500 |
To study the feasibility of a Yukon First Nations Regional Healing and Wellness Centre. |
| Mine Training Strategy |
$1,000,000 |
To provide training that leads to employment in the mining industry. |
| Knowledge of Yukon Key Wildlife Habitats |
$254,000 |
To enhance the existing Wildlife Key Area inventory by identifying gaps in the inventory and conducting wildlife surveys to fill those gaps. |
| Community-based Heavy Equipment Operation and Road Maintenance Training |
$1,875,500 |
To offer training to residents of Yukon communities in heavy equipment operating and related occupations. |
| First Nations Tourism Strategy and Associated Business Support Program |
$450,000 |
To develop a Yukon-wide tourism strategy and associated Business Support Program to develop tourism as part of First Nations' overall economic development strategies. |
| E-Commerce Yukon |
$100,000 |
To increase access to e-commerce opportunities and increase business export activity. |
| High Resolution Imagery - Base Mapping |
$117,000 |
To compile high-resolution base mapping for the entire Yukon to enable better land and resource management decision making. The Tr’ondëk Hwëchin traditional territory would be the first priority for base maps. |
| Telehealth Yukon |
$150,995 |
To expand existing telehealth services to First Nation communities. |
| Forestry Mainline Road Construction in Southwest Yukon |
$1,000,000 |
To construct forestry mainline roads in Champagne Aishihik traditional territory. |
| Marwell Tar Pit |
$1,995,000 |
To remediate the Marwell Tarpit. |
| Traditional Economy Development - Apprentice Hunting Guide Training Program |
$280,000 |
To teach the basics of big game guiding to qualified Yukon applicants. |
| Teslin Land Development |
$400,000 |
To cooperatively develop recreational and residential lots on both Teslin Tlingit Council settlement land and Yukon government Crown land, and to develop project management capacity within the Teslin Tlingit Council. |
| Total |
$9,340,021 |
NOTE: Visit http://www.eco.gov.yk.ca/igr/northern_strategy_trust.html for more information about the Northern Strategy Trust