Summer 2017 Dàkwäni Newsletter
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Dàkwäní WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING SHAKAT SUMMER 2017 WHAT’S INSIDE: Message from the Chief Chief and Council Update Youth Bison Hunt Land Use Planning News CAFN Class of 2017! Citizen Services Champagne Hall Upgrades The Dakwakada Dancers conclude the final performance of the 2017 festival on June 4 at Da Kų. Heritage News DA KŲ NÄN TS’ÉTTHÈT Education News OUR HOUSE IS WAKING UP THE LAND! The Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt festival of language,” said Dän Nätthe Ada drumming, song and dance held this Kaaxnox (Chief Steve Smith). “We June 2-4 at Da Kų Cultural Centre was truly are waking up our language, a vibrant, powerful celebration of our language and culture. people and culture, and revitalizing dän k’e (our ways).” “Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt means ‘Our House is Waking Up the Land’ in CAFN.ca Dákwanjè, our Southern Tutchone continued on page 2 DA KŲ NÄN TS’ÉTTHÈT continued from page 1 Hundreds of guests, performers, and community members gathered each day to participate in workshops, view the regalia fashion show, take part in the welcome ceremonies, and watch the spectacular performers. Many performances saw the audience on their feet, responding to the call of the drum beat. The 2017 festival featured Photography Nassiopoulos Angie performances by groups from the The Dakwakada Dancers celebrated their 25th anniversary during the festival. Anniversary Northwest Territories, Alaska and activities continue through 2017. the Yukon, including: the Dakwakada Dancers, Elijah Smith School Dancers, Leading up to the festival, CAFN also Baked Cafe, Dakwakada Development Yees Ku Oo (from Juneau), Nyla unveiled Da Kų Cultural Centre’s brand Corporation, Dana Naye Ventures, Carpentier Jingle & Powwow Dance, new exhibit, titled Shakāt – Dánän the Little Green Apple, Lucky Dragon, Tagish Nation Dancers, Chilkat Käy Ghàtts’ashät (Our Land Feeds Nancy Keen, Parkside Inn, Petro Top Dancers, Dághàalhan K’e, Dakhká Us), which was developed by Frances Spot, St. Elias Chamber of Commerce, Khwaán Senior Dancers, Dakhká Oles and Susan Knight with help Tim Ackerman, and 14 Acre Farm for Khwaán Junior Dancers, and the from Heather Hougen, Richard Smith their generous donations. Dettah Drummers from Yellowknife. and Sheila Greer. This exhibit, which Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt is a biannual features traditional harvesting tools The celebration of the Dakwakada dance festival hosted every two years and technologies, will remain up all Dancers 25th anniversary in 2017 by Champagne and Aishihik First summer and through 2017 at Da Kų in also kicked off during the festival, Nations at Da Kų Cultural Centre. The the changing exhibit room. with special performances and first Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt festival was presentation of some very meaningful The dance festival concluded with a held in June 2015 and the next is gifts to the dance group by Chief and barbecue hosted by Council to thank planned for 2019. Council. all the volunteers for their hard work For more photos and video of the through the weekend. Other dance festival highlights event, please visit Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt included performances by blues Shadhala Asheyi Dän (Champagne - Dance Festival on Facebook or pianist Murray Porter, and rappers and Aishihik First Nations) thanks #wakingtheland. Paddy Jim Jr. and Paul Boyle; an all the participants, performers, artist market; Southern Tutchone volunteers, leaders, cooks, crew, staff, The festival songwriting with Diyet; fun for kids and community supporters who featured a with the Yukon Circus Society; contributed to the 2017 Da Kų Nän woodpecker workshops to learn how to paint, Ts’étthèt dance festival. Kwänaschis! design make head-bands, dance wands, created medicine-bags, necklaces and other Many thanks to our funders: by CAFN’s items; lots of great food and much Government of Yukon, Heritage Frances Oles, to signify more. Admission was free. Canada, and Champagne and Aishihik “waking up First Nations. We also thank: Air the land”. North, Yukon’s Airline, Aspen Place, 2 SHAKAT SUMMER 2017 | Dàkwäní DÄN NÄTTHE ÄDA DÄKWÄL MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF Dànách’é to the Shadhäla, Äshèyi yè kwädän (Champagne and The Da Kų Nän Ts’etthet – Our House is Waking up the Aishihik First Nations people). Land – celebration at Da Kų Cultural Centre early this June was a tremendous celebration, with hundreds CONNECTING of people gathered daily June 2-4, 2017. Shäw nithän Dän K’e (Our Ways) to all the performers, organizers, volunteers and to everyone who participated. A special shout out to staff Construction of our brand new Language Hub adjacent and Council, who went above and beyond to ensure the to Da Kų Cultural Centre is underway, in keeping with event ran so successfully, especially Councillor Rose language as one of our government’s highest priorities. Kushniruk and Elder Councillor Carol Buzzell. We look Together with staff, we are working with our community forward to another great festival in 2019. to help shape the programming for our youngest learners. Please watch for more details as construction SELF-RELIANCE continues. Champagne Aishihik Community Corporation We are also investigating opportunities for adult (CACC) language immersion programs to continue training Council is happy to once again have a full Community new teachers to instruct our young learners. Together Corporation board, which includes Boyd Campbell, with Councillor Shadelle Chambers and a small group Paula Pawlovich, James Wilson, Dixie Smeeton and of Southern Tutchone language experts, I traveled to Trish George. We also welcome Luke Johnson, a visit the people of Kahnawake of Quebec to learn about Citizen of Kluane First Nation, who has joined the team their adult language revitalization program and consider as the CACC general manager. options for a revitalization program of our own. We were pleased to find many parallels between our communities which helped confirm our approach to this important work. Luke Johnson, Champagne Aishihik Community Corporation General Manager The language team heads off to visit an adult language immersion program in Quebec. continued on page 4 SHAKAT SUMMER 2017 | Dàkwäní 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF continued from page 3 Citizen Services The Yukon Forum upholds important government- to-government relationships established by our Work to create a new model for holistic delivery of agreements, and helps us achieve more of our Citizen Services to our people is progressing. Most strategic goals as First Nation governments and for recently we began work with a consultant to review the Territory as a whole. financial options to implement this new model within our current funding arrangements. We are excited General Assemblies to continue this important work to make sure CAFN The CAFN General Assembly is coming up soon at people are receiving comprehensive services and our newly expanded Shädhala Kų (Champagne Hall) support that truly considers the needs of the whole this July 21-23. The 2017 General Assembly will person, in keeping with our cultural practices and include consideration of one proposed amendment values. to our Constitution, to change the age of Youth Matatana Resort Council members to include ages 13-23 (currently includes ages 16-23). Work on phase 2 of the Matatana resort feasibility study continues in collaboration with Legacy Tourism We participated during the Southern Tutchone Tribal Group and a local advisory committee. The comittee Council Annual General Meeting at Duke Meadow in includes James Allen, Paul Birckel, Ron Chambers, Burwash Landing June 16-18. Meeting business took Chuck Hume, Lawrence Joe and Delmar Washington. place Saturday, June 17, in addition to other activities Please watch for details as work continues. throughout the weekend. BETTER GOVERNMENT The Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly is also planned for June 27-29 at the new Carcross/ Leadership Tagish First Nation Learning Centre. Members of This May 16-17, I attended the Council of Yukon First our CAFN Council will attend along with other CAFN Nations Leadership meeting in Whitehorse. Yukon Citizens. This year we look forward to the comeback First Nation chiefs meet regularly to discuss and of Indian Days celebration during the GA. work together on common priorities. In closing, congratulations to our class of 2017 Yukon Forum graduates. We are tremendously proud of you and your hard work to gain an education. You are the I participated at the recent May 26 Yukon Forum. future of CAFN and the future is bright! Together with Yukon First Nations chiefs and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver, we reviewed and confirmed Nänúchi’į sh’į (see you later). a list of specific shared priorities we will act on Sincerely, together over the next five years. The priorities include: fiscal matters; cooperation on justice, Kaaxnox, Dän Nätthe ada education health and heritage; implementing our Chief Steve Smith Final and Self-Government agreements; and ensuring Yukon legislation respects our agreements and priorities. NEXT CHIEF AND COUNCIL MEETING JULY 14 4 SHAKAT SUMMER 2017 | Dàkwäní DÄN NÄTTHE DÄTTH’I DEK’I CHIEF AND COUNCIL UPDATE The following is a summary of decisions made by Chief and Council during their February and March 2017 Chief and Council meetings. LANGUAGE HUB currently enrolled on the Shadhäla STRATEGIC METALS Äshèyi Dän Official List. AGREEMENT CAFN Chief and Council agree to follow through with the Strategic Chief and Council approved the Chief and Council agreed to signing Planning of the CAFN Language Shadhäla Äshèyi Dän Official List a Strategic Metals Exploration Hub and Daycare Project at Da Ku. as amended and presented on Agreement for seven properties. February 23, 2017. CHAMPAGNE HALL UPGRADE To request a copy of the full Chief Council approved the Enrollment and Council minutes, please Council approved an amendment Application Regulation for a new contact Doreen Williams, Executive to the funding for the Champagne application form required for Assistant to Council, at: Hall upgrades and expansion for enrollment under the new Act.