Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation supports maintenance of the Vuntut Gwitchin Electoral District

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) is pleased to see the maintenance of the Vuntut Gwitchin electoral district in the Electoral District Boundaries Act tabled in the Yukon Legislative Assembly earlier this week.  

The Electoral District Boundaries Commission raised significant concerns for VGFN when it released its Interim  Report in May. The report included a recommendation to merge the Vuntut Gwitchin and Klondike electoral  districts. VGFN was pleased to learn in September that the Commission reversed its initial recommendation, and  recommended leaving Vuntut Gwitchin as its own electoral district.  

The Vuntut Gwitchin electoral district was created in 1978 and since then Vuntut Gwitchin electors and representative  members in the Yukon Legislature have made immense and lasting contributions to the political, social, economic and  cultural development of the territory, including the achievements of greater local autonomy and responsible self government for Yukoners and Yukon First Nations alike.  

Among other reasons given by the Commission in its October 9 Final Report, it affirms that “Vuntut Gwitchin people are  likely to be disenfranchised if their electoral district is combined with Klondike,” and that “Vuntut Gwitchin interests  and values especially as they relate to the land are very different from the land development interests of many in the  Klondike.” 

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation also acknowledges the Private Member’s Bill tabled by Yukon NDP MLA Kate  White last week. The Bill seeks to amend Yukon’s Elections Act by defining the Vuntut Gwitchin electoral district within  the Elections Act. We thank the NDP for advancing the conversation on representation in the territory. While the  Yukon NDP Bill would meet VGFN’s immediate interest in maintaining the Vuntut Gwitchin electoral district, we continue to have serious concerns with the Elections Act, which was developed without consultation with Yukon First  Nations.  

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation reiterates our call—and the call of the General Assembly of the Council of Yukon First Nations—for a comprehensive review of the Elections Act. It is time to revisit and transform elections in the Yukon in collaboration with Yukon First Nations.