WINTER 2019

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a

Kwanlin People of , How are you? WINTER RECREATION Youth Recreation has been bustling with activity all winter long, and even took two overnight trips to the Youth Achievement Centre’s Annie Lake Cabin in December. Here, Kaitlyn, Andrew and Brody are playing shinny on Emerald Lake. Get in on the fun!

WHAT’S INSIDE 2 Street Drugs are Deadly 4 Sixties Scoop Survivors Eligible for Compensation 6 Our Land is Precious. It's Time to Plan! 9 KDFN to Host 2019 Hand Games Tournament 10 Winter Clothes Drive 12 Skills for Life, Land and Work 15 New KDFN Building Update 16 Harvesting Red Cedar in Alaska 21 Southern Lakes Caribou Update 22 Events Calendar Message from the Chief As many of you may have heard, a recent at both the federal and territorial levels. Supreme Court decision involving Building partnerships is important, and it’s the Teslin Tlingit Council has ruled the something we take seriously. federal government must renegotiate with It is always our mission to keep citizens self-governing First Nations based on the informed. This newsletter is only one of citizenship they serve, including those many ways the Kwanlin Dün government citizens who are considered to be non- is working to engage the community in the status Indians. We know this has been a type of dialogue and information exchange long-standing issue for our citizens as well. that are so critical to our success. We have The decision is currently being reviewed to been having important meetings about land determine any implications the ruling may planning as part of the Community Lands have on Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Chief Doris Bill Plan consultation, and are hosting equally Photo: Alistair Maitland In my role as Chief, I continue to advocate important meetings about community on behalf of our stolen sisters and brothers economic development, citizenship and and, in recent months, I had the opportunity housing as well. Please attend when you can, to make an oral submission on behalf of and help shape the direction of our nation. Kwanlin Dün First Nation, before the National As we prepare for upcoming events and Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous community meetings it is important for Women and Girls, held in Calgary. citizens to keep contact information up-to- To support the priorities identified in date. If you haven’t done so recently, please the KDFN Strategic Plan, we remain in contact KDFN’s Citizenship Registrar at contact with other Yukon First Nations, 633-7800 to ensure we are able to reach attend intergovernmental discussions and you via mail and phone. We even collect hold individual meetings with Ministers email addresses for those who have them.

Street Drugs are Deadly

Naloxone kits are The reality today is that every time Identifying the signs of an overdose can available from: someone chooses to use street drugs in save the life of someone you love. Some Whitehorse, they put their life at risk. Street Whitehorse Health Centre overdose symptoms are: drugs laced with lethal doses of opioids Blood Ties Four Directions • Miosis (tiny pinpoint pupils) are becoming increasingly common and • Difficulty swallowing, feelings of choking KDFN Health Centre claiming the lives of our friends and families All Whitehorse pharmacies at an alarming rate. • Muscle weakness Outreach Van • Confusion and disorientation Mental Wellness and Fentanyl is very dangerous for drug users, • Dizziness and fainting Substance Abuse Services especially those who haven't used street • Lips and fingernails turning blue drugs before. When not used properly, • No response to painful stimuli Fentanyl can be deadly even in the smallest doses. The size of two grains of salt is • Extreme drowsiness, inability to stay awake enough to kill someone using this drug. • Sudden drop in blood pressure • Significant slowing of heart rate There is no way to ensure the safety of • Slowed breathing and respiratory distress anyone. We urge everyone to be aware • Loss of consciousness and vigilant. Share this information with your family and friends – and especially our Naloxone is a medication that can youth – about the tremendous risk in using counteract the effects of Fentanyl when any street drug. administered to someone overdosing.

2 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Photos courtesy Council of Yukon First Nations.

...continued These kits are available from: overdose signs, pick up Naloxone kits, and speak up to save the lives of your loved ones. • Whitehorse Health Centre • Other Community Health Centers If you choose to use street drugs: • Blood Ties Four Directions • Don’t use alone – be with people you trust • KDFN Health Center • Have a Naloxone kit and know how to • All pharmacies in Whitehorse use it • Outreach Van • Do not hesitate to call 911 if it seems • Mental Wellness and Substance Abuse like someone may have overdosed Services • Consider getting your street drugs When you pick up your free kit, a 20 to tested at Blood Ties Four Directions. 40-minute training session to learn how to use the kit is offered. The Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator offers public training on how to use the take-home naloxone kit every Wednesday at Sarah Steel Building (609 Steele Street) starting at 4:15 p.m. Naloxone may be ineffective if it is administered after the overdose has progressed beyond a certain point. You need to call 911 if you or someone else is overdosing or if Naloxone has been administered. Some people may be concerned about calling the ambulance because of the possibility of involving the RCMP. But consider the consequences: By not calling the paramedics, your family member or friend could die. Earlier this year, Chief Doris Bill participated in a march and made a video published on social media to bring awareness to this epidemic. We echo her cry and urge everyone to educate themselves of the

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 3 Sixties Scoop Survivors are Eligible for Compensation

More info: There is a class action lawsuit underway www.sixtiesscoop whereby Sixties Scoop survivors are suing settlement.info the Government of Canada. The courts or call toll free have approved a settlement that is being 1-844-287-4270 finalized. On February 4, an information session was held at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre in Whitehorse for people who wanted to learn more about it. If you didn’t attend this session, it is not too late to get involved or register. If you are a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, What was the Sixties Scoop? your legal rights are affected even if you do Between 1951 and 1991, Indigenous nothing. children were taken from their families To make a claim for money and placed with non-Indigenous parents where they were not raised in accordance You have to fill out a form. You do not with their cultural traditions or taught their need a lawyer, nor do you need to have traditional languages. all of your records on hand. There are lawyers and an administrator working What is the class action suit about? on behalf of the plaintiffs who can The plaintiffs (Sixties Scoop survivors) assist you for free. You must complete argued that Indian and Inuit children a Claim Form and send it to the Claims who were victims of the Sixties Scoop Administrator by August 30, 2019. lost their cultural identity and suffered A copy of the Claim Form is available at psychologically, emotionally, spiritually www.sixtiesscoopsettlement.info. and physically. They were also deprived You can no longer opt out of the of their status, their aboriginal and treaty settlement as the deadline of rights and monetary benefits related to the October 31, 2018 has passed. Indian Act. The courts have now approved a settlement between the survivors and For more information, go to: Canada that provides compensation for www.sixtiesscoopsettlement.info or loss of cultural identity for certain survivors call toll free: 1-844-287-4270 or email: of the Sixties Scoop. [email protected].

TAX BENEFITS

The Canada Revenue Agency has published a booklet to assist Indigenous Canadians during tax season.

For more information, contact Chris at BENEFITS AND CREDITS 633-7800 ext. 112 INFORMATION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

4 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a

Indian Day Schools Class Action

McLean v Canada is a class action lawsuit officials, students and other third parties). For more info visit indiandayschool.com against the Government of Canada for Families of these students suffered the the abuses suffered by students forced same types of damage as the families To register for the to attend “Indian Day Schools” across of Indian Residential School Survivors. class action, visit Canada after 1920. This is the first national In addition, Indian Day Schools inflicted gowlingwlg.com/ class action seeking compensation for systemic damage upon Indigenous culture dayschool former students and their families. and languages. or call toll-free: 1-844-539-3815. The McLean class action covers all On December 6, 2018, Minister of Crown- Email Vanessa students who attended Indian Day Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, Lessard at Schools that operated separate and apart along with the Representative Plaintiffs vanessa.lessard@ from Residential Schools. This includes announced that they had reached an gowlingwlg.com students who are First Nations, Metis or “agreement-in-principle” to settle the Inuit. The class action also covers families lawsuit. The agreement-in-principle of these students. includes individual compensation as well as $200 million for healing, wellness, An estimated 200,000 Indigenous children language, culture and legal fees. attended Indian Day Schools. Unlike Discussions are currently underway to Indian Residential Schools, students did finalize a full Settlement Agreement. not reside at Indian Day Schools. Indian Day Schools were administered and There is currently no deadline set to funded by the Department of Indian Affairs register your name so that you are in which Indigenous students across included. A registration deadline will be Canada were required to attend by law set when a final Settlement Agreement (Indian Act). In most cases, Indian Day is reached. Notification of a registration Schools were operated and maintained deadline will be widely published. You by the same religious organizations can register even if you already received administering Indian Residential Schools. a Common Experience Payment (CEP) or Students who attended Indian Day residential school compensation. Schools have reported suffering the same types of abuses experienced by students Garry McLean is the lead plaintiff in the who attended Indian Residential Schools class-action lawsuit and is represented by (severe physical, sexual, mental and Gowling WLG. psychological abuse by teaching staff,

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 5 Our Land is Precious. It’s Time to Plan!

Above: Members of Kwanlin Dün First Nation now has the and businesses. Council and KDFN ability to register settlement land at the Last year, KDFN made history by staff celebrate Yukon Land Titles Office. the registration of registering a small piece of commercial settlement land at This means it is possible to purchase land in the industrial area at the Land the Yukon Land a leasehold interest in settlement land, Titles Office. Additionally, the Chu Titles office. register it at the Yukon Land Titles Office, Níikwän Development Corporation began and have certainty of exclusive possession construction of a residential project on Photo: Alistair Maitland of that land for the duration of the another registered parcel at 606 Jarvis. lease. Leasehold interests may be bought “We have proven the system works,” says and sold, and eligible purchasers can Chief Doris Bill. “Work on four units at qualify for mortgages and other financing 606 Jarvis is nearly complete, and KDFN options. citizens will have the first option to purchase By moving forward this way, Kwanlin Dün leasehold interests in homes there”. First Nation will forever maintain ownership So why hasn’t additional land been made of its settlement land, and select parcels available? What’s the hold up? “The answer of land can be made available for KDFN is simple,” says Chief Bill. “Our land is citizens, as well as other Yukon residents

6 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a precious, and we need to do this the right Whitehorse’s Official Community Plan. From way.” there, Kwanlin Dün will be in position to Below: Chief Doris KDFN is developing a land use plan – the release land responsibly – and only in ways identified by citizens – as reflected in the Bill and Premier Community Lands Plan – with citizen Sandy Silver with the Community Lands Plan. input. Consultations, tours and workshops first settlement land started in December, and are ongoing. Kwanlin Dün First Nation Settlement land Certificate of Title in Once the KDFN Community Lands Plan is and Traditional Territory maps are available the Yukon finalized, ti will be used to inform the City of at: bit.ly/2raLDwV Photo: Alistair Maitland

This is a step in what has been a long process that allows for the interesting work to begin. Kwanlin Dün First Nation, through the Chu Níikwän Development Corporation, has built solid foundations for financing, we have built a legal framework, and we’ve tested these processes within the existing system. We are happy to announce that those who choose to live and work in our traditional territory will soon have more choices as to where they build their homes and businesses. – Excerpt from Chief Bill’s speech, Yukon Land Titles Office, November 2018

Elder Russel Burns visits Youth Recreation Partnered with the Youth Achievement Centre, Youth Recreation has taken two trips to YAC’s Annie Lake Cabin, spending two days and one night on the Land. Elder Russell Burns spent a few hours with us sharing stories about the area and about his trapline. We were lucky enough to see his collection of tools, most handmade from animals he has trapped or hunted.

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 7 Community Lands Plan Update

Consultation with Kwanlin Dün citizens on the KDFN Community Lands Plan is now underway. Community Lands are UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KDFN settlement lands inside and close COMMUNITY LANDS PLAN to Whitehorse city limits. KDFN is currently developing a plan for all Community Lands Heritage Workshop within the city. This plan will determine Thursday, February 7 from 7-9 p.m. how each parcel of KDFN settlement land Nakwat’a Ku Potlatch House can be used. Community Development Workshop An introductory meeting was held on Thursday, March 14 from 7-9 p.m. December 6 to present the project to Nakwat’a Ku Potlatch House KDFN citizens and provide an overview of the Community Lands. The presentation Community Meeting: included a virtual tour of KDFN Community Summary of Citizen Input Lands using Google Earth and aerial Thursday, March 28 from 7-9 p.m. photography. Nakwat’a Ku Potlatch House As part of the December 6 meeting, Van Tour of KDFN Community citizens were asked to draw a map of how Land Parcels they use the lands within the city. These Saturday, March 30 from 12:30 p.m. “cognitive maps” provide an insightful to 4 p.m. Meet at the Nakwat’a Ku look into the areas citizens use within Potlatch House. Whitehorse. The information provided by the citizens through their maps will be helpful to KDFN’s planning staff as they discussed the history and development Below: KDFN put together a plan for settlement land in potential of each of the parcels visited. citizens are providing Whitehorse. On January 24, close to 50 people important input to attended an interactive wildlife workshop, the draft Community On December 15, KDFN staff and and on February 7 there was a heritage Lands Plan. The plan citizens toured KDFN settlement lands will be finalized later in Whitehorse. Approximately a dozen workshop. Participants at that session this year. parcels were visited. Staff and citizens were able to view an intact atlatl (throwing dart) that was found last August at the Friday Creek Ice Patch. More workshops and tours concerning KDFN settlement land in the city will be organized in March (see above). The information presented at the introductory meeting on December 6 is now available on the KDFN website. Citizens interested in participating in a focus group or wanting an individual meeting with KDFN lands staff to discuss the Community Lands Plan are encouraged to call KDFN urban planning and policy advisor Geoff Cowie at 633- 7800 ext.119. The development of KDFN’s Community Lands is key to KDFN’s future, so please consider getting involved.

8 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a KDFN to Host 2019 Hand Games Tournament

The sound of drums and laughter echoed pleaser. Teams of young people also come through the room where crowds of smiling out to participate, including the ‘Pow Wow people gathered to watch and play. Young Brothers’. and old from across the territory gathered The Whitehorse team—made up of in Pelly Crossing last summer for the annual KDFN citizens including Councillor Dennis Hand Games Tournament. The games took Calbery—won the overall tournament. “The off like wildfire; the collective energy and high KDFN team was great!” says Jackie. Their level of participation was exciting to see. win means the KDFN community will be “Hand Games bring people together,” says hosting the summer 2019 tournament. Jackie Callahan. “It gets people out who you don't really get to see – family and friends.” Organizers have been working with KDFN Council to plan the 2019 Hand Games Games played include snow snake, stick Tournament, which will be held at the pull, pole push, hoop & pole, moose skin Jackson Lake Healing Camp over three days ball, finger pull and stick gamble. from August 9 to 11. If people can't wait till Kaska Elder Amos Dick, also known as August, a Mini Hand Games Tournament ‘Famous Amos’, is 96 years old and still will be held during Yukon Sourdough sits on his knees to stick gamble. He Rendezvous at the Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch makes everyone laugh and is a great crowd House on the weekend of February 22.

New Playground Complete The new playground in McIntyre is complete! There will be a community celebration when the weather warms up this spring. Thanks to the Yukon government’s Community Development Fund for making this project possible.

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 9 Winter Clothes Drive Warms Up People on the Inside and Outside

It’s difficult to stay warm in the winter if Justice Department. "The quality of the you have to wear jackets or snow pants clothes was just outstanding. People gave that are too small or worn out. Many their best." people can’t afford to buy new outerwear On January 17, at the Nàkwät’à Kų̀ for themselves or their family members. Potlatch House, warm winter clothes from Meanwhile, other people might be throwing the drive were distributed to anyone in away good used items because all the need. This initiative has been a great way second hand drop-offs are few or far away. to support the community and reuse. Plus That’s why the KDFN Justice Department it keeps everyone warm on both the inside decided to hold a Warm Winter Clothes and the outside. Drive last fall. Over four days in November of 2018, the community of Whitehorse pulled together their donations and support for those in need. Drop-off bins were “It was so heartwarming placed at locations of various community sponsors throughout the Yukon, including to see the support of the the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, the Whitehorse Fire Fighters Charitable Society, community. People came Raven Recycling, Northwestel, CBC and others. The donations just rolled in. together to contribute... “It was so heartwarming to see the support of the community. People came together to People gave their best.” contribute and be a part of supporting each other," says Hailey Birney of the KDFN – Hailey Birney

Right: KDFN staff and volunteers handed out free warm winter clothes to anyone in need on January 17.

10 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Talking about a Pink Moose

Lianne Charlie took a few minutes to Are these land claim treaties and clauses Above: One can read explain her pink moose art project. When – like the ‘cede, release, and surrender’ the Umbrella Final asked why she and more than 30 helpers clause – doing as good a job as they were Agreement on this constructed a giant hot pink bull moose, intended to do?” (You’ll find arrows piercing life-sized hot pink she replied, “It’s a conversation starter!” At into the hide of the moose right through the moose created by first glance, it’s just a fun, flashy sculpture pages of this controversial clause). Lianne Charlie. It is made of Styrofoam and papier mâché. on display as part “More than 30 people helped to put it of the To Talk with But upon closer examination, you’ll find together. The time we spent creating and Others exhibit at the pages of the Umbrella Final Agreement, piecing together pages from the Umbrella Yukon Arts Centre the blueprint of Yukon First Nations land Final Agreement opened up conversations, until February 23. claims, plastered all over its brilliant hide. and not just about the UFA, but about life Lianne is an instructor in the Indigenous as Indigenous people,” says Lianne. “We Governance Degree Program at Yukon realized that it's not much different for us College. She and four other artists now than it was all those years ago.” participated in the “To Talk With Others” art Lianne’s desire for the pink moose is to project. They were each given a copy of educate and create change. She says we the minutes from an August 1977 meeting need to have conversations about our land between former Prime Minister Pierre claims agreements so we can really know Elliott Trudeau and five Yukon First Nations and understand. “We cannot start healing leaders discussing a pipeline project, land until we start telling the truth about what claims and self-determination. Each artist happened,” she says. What better way to was asked to create a project to express continue the conversation, than in front of a their take on the meeting. Lianne decided beautiful Pink Moose. to create this stunning pink moose. The pink moose and other works from the "People ask me easy questions like, ‘Why “To Talk With Others” art exhibit opened at a moose? Or why pink?’ The answers Yukon Arts Centre Gallery on December 6 I give get people thinking about deeper and will be on display until February 23. questions,” says Lianne. "Questions like:

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 11 Skills for Life Land and Work: Another Successful Run

The Skills for Life, Land and Work program • Traditional Snowshoes Making is all about meeting a person where they • Visiting a Trapline for 5 days are at, and helping them navigate their • Essential Skills and Life Skills path. This 12-week program is coordinated • Relevant Workplace Shadowing by Justine Copestake, an adult educator at Kenädän Kų̀ House of Learning, and is This is the second year that the Skills for supported by the Yukon Government and Life, Land and Work Program has been KDFN. It encourages personal growth, offered and it continues to inspire, motivate development for the workplace, and and enhance the lives of its participants. acquiring essential life skills. “Seeing people connect to their culture and their land and heritage, learning from The most recent offering of the program Elders and listening to stories on the ran from September 12 to December 13 Land was so enjoyable and rewarding,” of 2018. Students took part in a wide says Justine, who believes strongly in the range of courses and skill-building activities positive benefits this program had on its including: participants. • Wilderness First Aid She says there were many healthy • Firearms Course connections made between the • Conflict Resolution participants with the wider community • Financial Literacy and with support groups like Pathways • Personality Dimension and Career to Empowerment and the Jackson Lake Focusing Wellness Team. “And the snowshoe making • Trappers Certification course with Joe Migwans was wonderful,” she adds.

Right: Students learned a lot during the Trappers Certification sessions in November.

12 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Get Ready For Kindergarten

A parent wants only the best advantages The Learning Together program was The Learning and the best start to learning for their initially run out of Dusk'a Head Start Together program: children. The Learning Together program, Family Learning Centre, but it is now run • Free drop-in held at Elijah Smith Elementary School, at Elijah Smith Elementary School. The provides toddlers this opportunity. This Learning Together program happens • For children 3-5 free drop-in program is designed for Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. years old children 3-5 years old and their parents or and every day is a wonderful experience • Monday to Friday caregivers. Babies are welcome, too. This to laugh, dance, play and learn together, 9 am to 11:30 am program is unique because both parent all the while preparing children for success at Elijah Smith and child share a playful experience while once they begin school. Elementary they learn together. Let this valuable program be a treat that The Learning Together program was you and your toddler look forward to each developed by Government of Yukon’s and every week. Department of Education. Led by qualified teachers, the program’s main goal is to facilitate a ‘play-based’ learning environment for growth and development. Learning Together introduces toddlers to skills such as drawing and colouring, paper cutting, crafting, listening in story time, following instructions, eating together with peers, and so much more. Activities are designed to prepare kids for a fun Kindergarten experience, preparing parents for this transition as well. The early years with our children are precious and fleeting. Each stage in a child’s development is a powerful moment of triumph for both parent and child.

Left: Elder Councillor William Carlick led the opening ceremony for a new ceremonial fire pit at Elijah Smith Elementary School

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 13 Toilet and Drain Clogging Up?

Top tips to keep our sewers clear heavy-duty plunger and make sure there’s a good seal around the hole. Everything you flush down the toilet or Push down slowly and gently and pour down the drain ends up in our sewer then pull it back up sharply. If the bowl system and can get stuck, causing a sewer empties of water, fill it back up with jugs back-up. This can result in a nasty clean- from the sink and keep plunging. up or toilets and sinks that don’t work properly. Here are a few tips that you can 2) Use a cable auger. This is just for follow to keep things running smoothly. sinks. Start by placing a bucket under the pipes under your sink. Remove the 1) Don’t flush things that can clog up “trap,” that short u-shaped piece of These include fats, oils, your pipes. pipe, either by hand or gently using a food scraps, paints, chemicals, cotton, pipe wrench. Drain water from the trap condoms, sanitary products, plastics into the bucket and remove the clog if it and toys. These things should go in the is in the trap. If the sink is still clogged, garbage or compost. remove the horizontal pipe that connects 2) Treat grease before you wash up. the trap to the stub pipe in the wall. Push Pour fats into a container to dispose the cable auger into the stub pipe until it of later and give pots and pans a wipe meets resistance. Pull out 18” of cable with a paper towel before washing. then crank the handle clockwise until the auger catches on something. Then 3) Use less detergent and don’t drain crank handle counter clockwise and see chemicals or medicines. This helps if it has pulled out the clog. Continue this protect our water supply. process until the clog is removed. Then When things get stuck reassemble pipes! 1) Use a plunger. If you’re plunging the 3) Use vinegar and baking soda. For sink, make sure there’s water in the clogged toilets, pour 2 cups of baking basin to create pressure. Plug the soda and 2 cups of vinegar. Let it fizz opposite basin if it’s a double sink. If then add a kettle of hot water. Let sit an you’re plunging the toilet, choose a hour or even overnight before flushing.

RCMP OFFICE MOVE

The community RCMP office in McIntyre is now located in the main Justice Department office at 7 O’Brien Drive. During KDFN business hours, you may contact the officer on duty by calling Justice Reception.

Justice reception For NON-emergencies For EMERGENCIES 633-7850 Constable Desmond Jackson 334-4131 911 Constable Michelle Faulkner 334-5427

14 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a New KDFN Building Update

This past fall, we hit the ground running produce detailed plans. Above: Artist in our efforts to design a new building. rendering of the Council met with the architects again in Council has selected a design that will new KDFN Building November to discuss building materials serve as a community hub and a base for and systems. The new building will be Kwanlin Dün First Nation government an open, modern design supported by operations. heavy wooden timbers. It will have a Beginning in September, KDFN awarded wood roof, an open concept, and it will the design contract for the new building be very efficient to minimize heating and to Manasc Isaac Architects of Edmonton, electricity costs. The roof system will Alberta. Within a few weeks, their team include a large number of solar panels to held a design festival here in Whitehorse generate power which will be used firstly to speak with Council, Elders, citizens, to power the building, with surplus power youth and staff, who then gave input into sold back to the utility company. the vision for our government’s new On February 12, the team met with building. An entire half-day was Council again to go over detailed design set aside for citizens interested in careers plans. The project is on schedule to be in architecture, engineering put out for bids for construction in April/ and construction, and to learn about May of this year. Construction will begin opportunities to work on this project. with site preparation near the current After a very busy week, the architects Administration Building. The new building then designed two different building will wrap around the current Admin concepts that were shared with citizens Building, which will eventually be moved at the Fall 2018 General Assembly in and repurposed to some extent. October. On October 29, Council voted The new KDFN community hub is for their preferred design concept and scheduled for completion in 2020. the architects went back to work to

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 15 Harvesting Red Cedar in Alaska Jacqueline Shorty gained more than just a where Red Cedar grows. It’s also home traditional skill when she travelled to Kake, to Shorty’s teacher, Marwilla Hughes, a Alaska in the spring of 2017 for a two-week master Tlingit cedar bark craftsperson. intensive cedar harvesting mentorship. It “Not only did I benefit as a beginner learner was a humbling and emotional experience of how to harvest cedar,” she says of her connecting her to her Kwan roots instructor, “I left humbled and in awe of the and her ancestral connection with the time, patience and dedication it takes to coastal Tlingit people. process cedar for weaving.” “To have been able to participate in cedar The first step, selecting a tree, took Shorty harvesting was such a blessing,” says and Hughes on a physically-demanding Shorty. “Traditional learning is incredible and hike into the forest. Then, they began so fulfilling.” reassuring conversations and prayers with Shorty travelled to Kake, a two-day the tree, asking its spirit for permission. ferry trip, because it’s the closest place “It is a very emotional process, deeply humbling,” says Shorty. After cutting down the tree, you begin a full-day’s work of pulling the bark off. “Marwilla is very agile “I felt like I was returning with her hands and makes it look easy. But I soon learned that it isn’t easy and that it to who I was meant to be, takes years of practice to become adept.” Thinning is the next step. It’s a process who we are in our roots...” using a small needle that Shorty says “was – Jacqueline Shorty incredibly difficult for me to do.” But with the encouragement of her teacher, she progressed and built confidence. Shorty then brought her strips back home to Whitehorse where they hung for a full year before they were used in a variety of projects. Looking back, over a year- and-a-half later, Shorty is hoping to return to Kake with a larger group from the community. Her trip was expensive and she thanks the Donations/First Nations Artwork and Crafts Committee for helping with costs. Her time in Kake was life- changing and she wants to share this with others. “I felt like I was returning to who I was meant to be, who we are in our roots and for the first time in a long time I felt that I was beginning to live the history of the Tagish Kwan. It allowed me to feel a quiet self-confidence, a sense of belonging that I had yearned for my whole life. Even as I write this, I feel that well of emotion come up inside me, reminding me that I need to remember who I am and where I come from in order to become a whole person.”

16 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Golden Lady of the Yukon

On January 10, 2019 Shaaw Tláa (a.k.a. Kate Carmack) was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, taking her rightful place alongside the other Klondike discoverers Skookum Jim Mason, , and Robert Henderson. The nomination was a collaborative effort between the Kwanlin Dün First Nation Youth Advisory Committee, the Youth of Today Society (YOTS) and the Yukon Chamber of Mines. In 2017, YOTS painted a mural of Kate Carmack, as part of its Festival of Murals project. The mural of Kate was appropriately placed on the side of the Yukon Chamber of Mines building, next to the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre. To portray Kate’s image, YOTS used a photo from an article about Kate Carmack that was written by Eileen Vance-Duchesne in 1999. While there are many stories of the Klondike Discovery, the Vance-Duchesne article was a story from Kwanlin Dün First Nation elders that Kate Carmack was the one to find the gold in Bonanza Creek in 1896. Zena McLean, a descendent of Kate Carmack, accepted the award on behalf of the family. On hand to witness the event were Chief Doris Bill and Councillor Jessie Dawson, Premier Sandy Silver and two of his ministers, AFN Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, Yukon Chamber of Mines past President Sue Craig and Executive Director Samson Hartland and members of Kwanlin Dün’s Youth proud to be a part of it.” Advisory Committee to Council and the Mural painted in Youth of Today Society. “What I am hoping will come out of this 2017 by the Youth is that Indigenous people and woman be of Today Society on “The event for me was incredible. We the side of the Yukon provided the opportunities to be heard,” actually got to see and experience Chamber of Mines says Cheyenne. “What we did here how our work, as young people, can building. started from an old magazine article, but initiate real and meaningful change in it brought our whole community together today’s world,” says Cheyenne Bradley, to shed light on a past wrong and aimed a member of the youth delegation. at reconciling the future” “Emotions were running high that night for sure and even though it took over Our Golden Lady Kate Carmack – Shaaw 120 years for Kate Carmack to get the Tláa – has now taken her rightful place in well-deserved recognition, we were Canadian history.

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 17 Complete the Citizenship Survey ... Win a Prize!

Hard copies of the The Kwanlin Dün First Nation Citizenship survey are available at Committee is developing a proposed the front desks of the Citizenship Act, which will define enrollment Health Centre and the criteria for everyone who applies to be a House of Learning. Kwanlin Dün First Nation Citizen. The survey is also available online at The committee wants to hear about what’s bit.ly/2sAWiSp important to citizens. Please take some time to complete the survey. You can also attend a meeting on either February 21 or 28 at 5:00 p.m. at the Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch House. Hard copies of the survey are available at the front desks of the Health Centre and the House of Learning. The survey is also available online at bit.ly/2sAWiSp. Please note that the survey is private: the CONTEST RULES Citizenship Committee will not see any surveys. Surveys will be kept confidential and You must submit your name to be then destroyed once the results are compiled. entered into the draw. Must be 18 years of age to complete the survey. If you have any questions or concerns, One survey per citizen. Complete please contact Amanda Calbery, KDFN the survey for your chance to win a Citizenship Registrar, by phone at $500 Air North gift card. Draw date is 867-633-7800 ext 131, or by email at March 1, 2019. [email protected].

Welcome Sign

As of January 18, the City of Whitehorse welcome signs are now adorned with the KDFN and TKC crests, and say, Shrō kwàthän nį į - “It is good to see you” in Southern Tutchone.

18 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Lands and Resources Operations

Staff members in the Operations section to conduct monitoring and inspections Above: Land of the Lands and Resources Department throughout the year. Steward Bruce are hard at work taking care of KDFN Wilson, Operations Occupational Health and Safety is a settlement land parcels. The Operations Manager Brandy critical component to this new program, section was started in 2018, with the Mayes & Senior so proper training is always on-going. primary goal to monitor and inspect all Land Steward Dave Sembsmoen KDFN settlement land parcels. Operations staff is also assisting with Fish and Wildlife initiatives. These This important work allows the Lands and initiatives are often in collaboration Resources Department to decide which with neighbouring First Nations as well parcels of land should be of top priority for as the appropriate Yukon and Federal remediation work. Operations crews also Government agencies. provide a visible presence on the land. Their work also helps to provide invaluable “Our Steward Obligation is to act with information about the scope of clean-up/ respect for all beings, human and non- remediation costs for future planning. human, and all elements of the natural and spiritual worlds,” says Brandy Inspections by Operations staff will Mayes, Operations Manager. “This also help determine if there are people responsibility is reflected in the spirit of residing on KDFN Settlement Lands and reciprocal giving. If respect is shown, identify any unauthorized uses that may the (collectively, the spirits of those be occurring. This information will feed who came before us; the ancestors; into our internal land registry system, our brethren – all creatures that live on which in turn will assist planners and land the earth with us) will also care for and managers in day-to-day decision making. support us in return. However, if respect The Lands and Resources Department is not shown, negative or even disastrous recently purchased new, reliable field consequences for our people may be equipment to enable the Operations staff expected.”

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 19 Education Survey Thank you to everyone that completed announcement about a consultation that the Education Survey on whether citizens will be held so that you can give your would like to see KDFN join other First opinion on whether or not KDFN should Nations in negotiations with Canada on work on creating their own school. a Yukon First Nation-controlled school The winner of the $500 gift card prize or schools (K to 12). Another community for the survey was Hank Henry. consultation on this question will be Congratulations! Contact Therese Lindsay held soon. Look out for an upcoming at 633-8422 ext. 502 to claim your prize

Community Safety Check-ins CSOs have begun to check in with Elders errands for the elder: CSOs have at home to see how they are doing. Even changed lightbulbs, made fires, and even if it is just a 5-10 minute drop in, it makes helped one elder with his furnace. At a difference – especially to those who may Christmas, Mike Carlisle took an elder not have family close by. on a little tour to see the Christmas lights Sometimes they have performed little while giving her a ride home.

Family Enhancement Team Established in McIntyre

In partnership with Kwanlin Dün First supervisor, two child protection workers, one Nation, the Government of Yukon has family enhancement worker, one child-in- established a family enhancement team in care worker, and one case aide. The team is the McIntyre subdivision in Whitehorse to working in close collaboration with Kwanlin foster reconciliation and improve outcomes Dün’s Director of Justice and family support for Kwanlin Dün families and children. liaison workers to provide on-site services and The new six-person team includes a support to all members of the community.

20 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a Southern Lakes Caribou Update

Population Estimates The Southern Lakes caribou planning team are busy updating population data for the , Laberge, and Ibex caribou herds. These populations are monitored every fall by helicopter surveys to track the calf numbers, but total population size has not been estimated since 2008. To make this estimate, they will be placing GPS collars on caribou. The collared caribou will be counted during the helicopter surveys of the following fall. The number of marked- compared-to-unmarked animals will be used to estimate a population size for each herd. The GPS collars will remain active for several years and will be used to determine herd ranges, map habitats and track movement and migration routes. from local, scientific, and Traditional Above: Photo Ground-based monitoring Knowledge. The focus of the program will courtesy Government be on the Carcross, Atlin, Ibex and Laberge of Yukon For the first time ever, the six Southern caribou herds. Lakes First Nations are collaborating to initiate a ground-based monitoring program “This work will enable First Nations to for caribou. Land guardians and monitors use traditional laws and collaborative from each First Nation received training this approaches to address current land and fall on winter monitoring of caribou. The wildlife management issues,” says Dave six First Nations have identified a number Sembsmoen, Senior Lands Steward of priority areas to monitor in this first with KDFN’s Department of Lands and pilot year of the ground-based monitoring Resources. “It’s a program that is rooted in program. These areas have been identified education and relationship building.”

Left: Sheilah Sutherland and her little fox Naynay pose for a photo outside the Fall General Assembly

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 21 Events Calendar

WHAT WHEN WHERE M = Mondays Citizenship Committee meetings February 21 & 28 Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch 5:00 p.m. TH House T = Tuesdays Citizen Housing Forum March 2 Potlatch House 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. W = Wednesdays Spring Break March 11 to March 22 Yukon schools closed TH = Thursdays Monday – Friday Community Lands Plan Community March 14 Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch F = Fridays Development Workshop 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. TH House

Spring/Summer post-secondary March 15 funding deadline F Community Lands Plan Summary March 28 Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch of Citizen input 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. TH House

Community Lands tour March 30 Meet in front of KDFN 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. Administration building

Fall post-secondary funding June 15 deadline

After School Sports & Activities Monday Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. M House Tutoring Club Monday to Thursday Kenädän Kų̀ House of 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Learning Homework Club Monday to Thursday Kenädän Kų̀ House of 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Learning Reading Club Monday to Thursday Kenädän Kų̀ House of 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Learning Dusk'a Family Luncheon Last Thursday of every month Dusk'a Learning Centre 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. TH Lunch and Learn First Wednesday of every month Meet at Natsékhi Kų̀ 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. W Health Centre Chronic Conditions Luncheon Every 3rd Wednesday Meet at Natsékhi Kų̀ W Health Centre Healthy Babies Healthy Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday Natsékhi Kų̀ Health Generations Lunch of the month from 12 to 2 W Centre Women's Support Circle Every 2nd Thursday Natsékhi Kų̀ Health 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. TH Centre Men's Support Circle Every 2nd Wednesday Natsékhi Kų̀ Health 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. W Centre Sewing Group Drop-in Thursdays (Jan 17 to March 28) Classroom at the Health 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. TH Centre Education, Apprenticeship or Daily by appointment Kenädän Kų̀ House of Employment Planning Learning

22 WINTER 2019 Kwanlin Dän Ch’a ABOUT CONTACT Amanda Calbery: 633-7800 ext. 131 or Opportunities for Citizens to contribute to a proposed Citizenship Act. [email protected] Discussion about KDFN rental housing now, and decisions about the future. Community Services: 633-7833 Lunch provided. Community Feast after.

School's out! See our website or Facebook page for youth activities Kaitlyn Charlie: 334-8728

Citizens are invited to help identify lands to be used for development. Geoff Cowie: 633-7800 ext. 119

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria Dawn Waugh: 633-8422 ext. 508 or [email protected]

Overview of Community Lands Plan input received to date Geoff Cowie: 633-7800 ext. 119

Tour a selection of KDFN's settlement land located within Whitehorse Geoff Cowie: 633-7800 ext. 119

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria Dawn Waugh: 633-8422 ext. 508 or [email protected]

Come hang out and have fun after school! Ages 9-17 Kaitlyn Charlie: 334-8728

House of Learning Reception: By appointment. One-on-one tutoring catered to individual learning styles 633-8422 Bring your homework and let's get cracking! House of Learning Reception: 633-8422 K-Grade 5. We are joined by the Family Literacy Centre on Tuesdays House of Learning Reception: 633-8422

Healthy lunch for the families of children who attend Dusk'a Dusk'a Reception: 393-3775

Everyone welcome. Different topics every month Clinic Nurses 668-7289 ext. 211

Healthy lunch for Elders who have chronic conditions. Main desk: 668-7289

Healthy lunch, cover a health topic around parenting and nutrition. Renee Roy 334-3128 or Kathryn For pre and post-natal families to 18 months old Laloge/Amy-Lynn McCann 335-4477

Learn self-care strategies, check-in, enjoy dinner and activities. Laura Sutherst: 334-7673

Learn self-care strategies, check-in, enjoy dinner and activities. Johnny Brass: 335-3695; 668-7289 ext.205

Lunch is provided - Come sew and socialize. Bring your own projects. Marion Fayant 668-7289 ext. 213

Do you want to go back to school but don't know where to start? Are you Come to Reception at the Kenädän Kų̀ looking for a job but the paperwork and resume process is hard? We are House of Learning to meet with one of here to help with education applications, employment or apprenticeship. us from the Case Management Team.

Kwanlin Dän Ch’a WINTER 2019 23 Youth Recreation is thrilled to hit the slopes with the Yukon Youth Outdoor Leadership Association thanks to our continued partnership. We've gone to Mt. Sima a few times already this season and look forward to more good times in the coming months. For more information, call Kaitlyn at 334-8728.

RETURN ADDRESS:

Kwanlin Dün First Nation 35 McIntyre Drive Phone: 867-633-7800 www.kwanlindun.com Whitehorse Yukon Canada Fax: 867-668-5057 Find us on Facebook! Y1A 5A5 [email protected]

DESTINATION Address: