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These Guiding Documents lay the foundation for the CAFN government. Structured to meet modern and legal standards, while remaining rooted in traditional and cultural values, the following documents guide the work of the CAFN.
Paul Birckel raises his arms to show the signed land claim agreements.
Dákwän Shadhäla yè Äshèyi Kwädän dá government yè, Dän shäw ghùle du n-däsäduye shį, Dän dèts’än shäw nàkutth’et du n-łäts’än nàkune ni, Kwädąy dän k’è, dákeyi shų dákeyi ye dákwänje shų ghàts’ukhį nū.
We, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations people and government, shall promote a healthy, unified and self-reliant people, while conserving and enhancing our environment and culture.
Ours has been a long journey to return to us our right to govern our People and our land. In the 1960s and 1970s our Elders and wise leaders called on the federal government to return our traditional ways. For twenty years we negotiated. In 1993 we reached a final Land Claims Agreement and Self-Government Agreement for our people.
Our Self-government Agreement makes it possible for us to create our supreme law, our Constitution. In July 2000 at the Klukshu Village General Assembly our people voted in favour of our Constitution.
Our Constitution is our most senior law. All other laws of the First Nations flow from this law. No other law of our First Nations can contradict or change the Constitution. Work of our First Nations Council to make new laws must be guided by our Constitution.
Our Constitution sets out our Rights as Champagne and Aishihik First Nations people, who can be a Citizen, and our rights and responsibilities are recognized here. Our Constitution protects us in many ways. It says we are to be treated openly and fairly by our Government.
Our Government is defined by our Constitution. The First Nations Council is found here. The Elders Senate and Youth Council and their powers are also in the Constitution. Our most important Citizens forum, the Champagne and Aishihik General Assembly is also recognized in our Constitution. Its most important role is to make changes to our Constitution so that it reflects the will and interests of all Citizens. Only at General Assembly can changes be made to the Constitution.
Other topics in the Constitution provide for accountability of the First Nations Council, and how to deal with challenges to the laws of the First Nations.
We are able to shape our world and how we relate to each other and our Government. We have
designed our Constitution to reflect our beliefs and interests. It is our responsibility to protect and enhance our Constitution so that it continues to be our supreme law.
In 1993, after more than 20 years of negotiations, CAFN’s rights to the Yukon portion of its traditional lands and resources were finally confirmed with the signing of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Final Agreement between CAFN, the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon.
Land claim negotiations concerning the portion of CAFN territory within BC are as yet incomplete, but in the interim, an innovative and precedent setting agreement between the BC government and CAFN has been reached which provides for joint management authority of the newly created Tatshenshini-Alsek Park.
The road to the Yukon Land Claim Agreement was a long and difficult one. Many Champagne and Aishihik members, beginning with the late Elijah Smith, provided creative leadership in initiating and negotiating an Umbrella Yukon Land Claim Agreement.
Elijah organized the Yukon Native Brotherhood and, in 1973, he presented Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, a position paper on the Yukon comprehensive claim, to then Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
CAFN was one of the first four Yukon First Nations to conclude their final agreements. CAFN’s Dave Joe was the Chief Negotiator for the Council for Yukon Indians (now the Council of Yukon First Nations) was instrumental in completing the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement. The late Harry Allen and Dorothy Wabisca, along with Chief Paul Birckel, were also key players in the successful negotiation of these groundbreaking agreements.
CAFN’s Land Claim Agreement provides for the ownership of some 2,427 square kilometers of land. It also continues to provide guaranteed access to fish and wildlife resources. Most importantly, the agreement establishes the CAFN government as co-managers of all natural and cultural resources in its traditional territory.
CAFN is now a full partner on the Kluane National Park Management Board, the Alsek Renewable Resources Council and has representation on numerous other regional and territorial boards that make recommendations on heritage, educational, environmental and economic issues.
In addition, the self-government agreement provides CAFN with the power to enact laws on a wide range of matters affecting the rights of its citizens. On September 17, 1998 the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations made history by passing three acts: the Income Tax Act, Fish and Wildlife Act, and the Traditional Pursuits Act. These acts became effective on January 1, 1999.
A variety of municipal services, (housing, roads, water and sewer) as well as social services (health, nutrition, employment and training) are fully administered by the First Nations’ government. The Department of Lands and Resources, which also includes Heritage and Economic Development, manages CAFN’s traditional lands and integrates education and training of its citizens.
CAFN has undergone radical change in the last 100 years. Not long ago, the Southern Tutchone people of this region lived as part of the land. Today, they are working on the establishment of their own government and CAFN is becoming the steward of its homeland as it builds a sustainable economy.
Certified true copies of all laws applying to CAFN settlement lands are maintained in the CAFN law registry. Copies are available to all Citizens. Digital copies of CAFN laws are also available, you can see it in the list here.
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Since 1995, 11 of Yukon’s First Nations have become self-governing, and account for more than half of self-governing First Nations in Canada. The Mapping the Way campaign celebrates and raises awareness about Yukon First Nation land claims and self-government.
