CAFN Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Signing Land Claims Agreements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 29, 2018
Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) – Today Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) marks the 25th anniversary of signing our Final and Self-Government Agreements with the governments of Canada and Yukon.
“For 25 years, the governments of Canada and Yukon have legally recognized and upheld our right to govern ourselves and have protected this right under the Constitution of Canada,” says Dän nätthe äda Kaaxnox (Chief Steve Smith). “Today we celebrate our continuing growth and evolution as a self-government and our return to doing things Dän K’e (Our Way, in our language and culture). We acknowledge our Elders and past leaders who worked for decades to advocate for our rights and forge these agreements.”
On May 29, 1993 Chief Paul Birckel signed the agreements on behalf of CAFN, along with Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Tom Siddon and Yukon Government Leader John Ostashek.
CAFN is marking this important day with celebrations at our offices in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) and Kwanlin (Whitehorse) today at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited for cake, photos and a short celebration.
“We also invite people to join us for a larger celebration this July during our annual General Assembly (GA),” says Chief Smith. “The 25th anniversary and our return to governing Dän K’e are the main themes for our GA.”
The CAFN General Assembly will be held July 20-22, 2018. Please watch for more details.
-30-
For more information:
Amy McKinnon
Communications Manager
(867) 634-4200 ext 237
[email protected]
CAFN.ca