Dàkwäní WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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Dàkwäní WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING Friends and family from near and far gathered for the Kaalaxch’ (Kohklux) Potlatch October 18 and 19 at Da Kų Cultural Centre. YÚK’E - WINTER 2019/20 KOHKLUX MAP POTLATCH WHAT’S INSIDE: Celebrating the 150th “This special gathering is an opportunity for Dän (Southern • BY-ELECTION RESULTS Anniversary of the Chief Tutchone) and Tlingit to come Kaalaxch’ (Kohklux) Map together to celebrate 19th century • MÄT’ÀTÄNA RESORT trade between our ancestors” says Dän nätthe äda Kaaxnox (Chief Steve Champagne and Aishihik First Smith). “We’re excited to welcome Nations (CAFN) hosted the Kohklux • DÄN TÄN GÀ DĪJÄL our friends, neighbors and relatives Map Anniversary Potlatch this to celebrate our shared history and October 18-19, at Da Kų Cultural • DÄN TS’ÄNĀNÄN connections, as shown by the trading Centre in Dakwäkäda (Haines routes on the Kohklux maps.” Junction). This event celebrated the 150th anniversary of the drawing Highlights of the Potlatch included of the maps by Chief Kaalaxch’ screening of films related to Dän and (Kohklux) and his wives. Tlingit history on the Friday evening, CAFN.ca continued on page 2 KOHKLUX MAP POTLATCH continued from page 1 followed by a full day of storytelling, workshops, displays and sharing on Saturday. The event offered a rare opportunity to view one of the two original maps prepared by Chief Kohklux and his wives. Drawn in 1869 by the Tlingit Chief Kaalaxch’ (Kohklux), these rare maps are examples of early Indigenous map making in the North. The Kohklux maps are especially important to CAFN because they are the oldest maps of dákeyi (our traditional territory). During the event, we wanted to share the story behind the maps, as well as family and community stories related to the trade. One of the original maps (Above): Participants enjoyed came north from San Francisco and meals served in the Yukon and Parks Canada visitor was on site at Da Kų Cultural Centre information wing at Da Kų. throughout the potlatch. (Left): A popular copper bead making workshop was hosted Several Kwädą̄ y kwädǟn (our by Brenda Lee Asp. ancestors’ or long ago peoples’) tools (Botttom Left): Ron Chambers were also on site for viewing. shared stories about Southern Tutchone/Tlingit Participants travelled from all over trade. the Yukon and Alaska to attend. (Bottom Middle): Tom Buzzell Kwänischiss to all who joined us! We spoke about the history of the look forward to continuing to share two Kohklux maps. and connect with you. (Bottom Right): Lawrence Joe told about CAFN's work and For more details, please rediscovery of some of the visit https://cafn.ca/event/ trails and villages shown on the maps. kohklux-map-anniversary-gathering. 2 YÚK’E/WINTER 2 019/20 | Dàkwäní DÄN NÄTTHE ÄDA DÄKWÄL MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF Dànách’é ministers on specific requests THE NATION (through better for CAFN governance) Our Council vision for 2018 priorities. Council met in early November to through 2022 is: EACH OTHER continue strategic planning for the (through Dän Shäwthan ghàách’e, who speak for future, with a focus on how our connection and the nation, the land and water, and for growing government is organized. self-reliance) each other. We look forward to putting new structures in place that are more Connection We are Dän Shäwthan, responsible dän k’e and better meet the needs of for: We’re excited Citizens, staff and Council. to be hosting • The Nation (through better Our Council continues to work on a wide range governance); behalf of Citizens to implement Dän of Christmas • Each Other (through connection and K’e in all aspects of CAFN. Please Connects self reliance); and see more details on Dän Tän Gà Dījäl activities again (We all walk along the Dän K’e trail) in over the 2019-20 • The Land and the Water. this newsletter. holiday season, We are using the term Dän Shäwthän, including our Work is underway on next steps which means “good people”. That is extremely popular for resolutions passed by the 2019 what we are trying to do: walk as good Lift Your Spirits Nłäshējel (General Assembly). CAFN people by being caring, taking care days. Please stay Changes to our Elders benefits of each other, mindful of our rules, caring tuned at CAFN.ca program are moving forward based and speaking for our four-legged and and Champagne on the GA’s direction. Once in effect, winged creatures, and caring for the land and Aishihik First the new program will be open to water and air. Nations for full Citizens who live outside Canada, details! including our Alaskan brothers and sisters. Please see more details in Self-Reliance this newsletter. THE LAND and WATER The Mätʼàtäna Resort Steering Deputy Chief Rose Kushniruk and I Committee is continuing its work Our efforts continue to reach travelled to Ottawa the first week of to complete due diligence for this agreements with the government of December to participate in Yukon exciting potential project. We look Yukon and Yukon Energy Corporation Days and Assembly of First Nations forward to reporting to Citizens on the toward a better future for the Äshèyi meetings. It was a very full week of results of their work later this winter. region. Please stay tuned for more formal meetings, as well as one-on- Please see more details on Mätʼàtäna details as work progresses. one meetings with several federal in the article in this issue of Dàkwäní. continued on page 4 YÚK’E/WINTER 2 019/20 | Dàkwäní 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF continued from page 3 Congratulations! Shäw nithän – congratulations – to new Councillor Michael (Mickey) Beattie who swore his oath of office this November 1 and went to work the same day. I hold my hands up to all the candidates who put their names forward for this by-election. It is fantastic and rewarding to see so many Citizens with courage and vision who want to contribute on behalf of our people. Gunałchish, Dän nätthe äda Kaaxnox Vivian Smith, Sharon Shadow, Liza Jacobs and Dän nätthe äda Kaaxnox attended the Let Language Chief Steve Smith Live international conference on Indigenous language revitalization in Victoria, BC this June. Leaders at the Yukon Forum meeting in Teslin this September. 4 YÚK’E/WINTER 2 019/20 | Dàkwäní DÄN NÄTTHE DÄTTH’I DEK’I CHIEF AND COUNCIL UPDATE The following are summaries of decisions made by Chief and Council from September to November 2019 Boards and Committees Administration Act, newly elected Councillor Michael Beattie is Champagne and Aishihik First Natons authorized for and on behalf of CAFN Chief and Council appointed Lilly to execute and deliver all banking Smith to the Champagne and Aishihik documents and instruments. Language, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee for a term to By-Election Results May 31, 2022. A by-election was held for one Financial Transfer Agreement Councillor on October 28, 2019. Eight candidates participated in the by- CAFN Council approved the proposed election, including candidate forums Financial Transfer Agreement (FTA) in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) and for the period of April 1, 2019 to Kwanlin (Whitehorse). Michael Beattie March 31, 2024; and was elected. Further, Council authorized the Chief Full details on the by-election are to sign the FTA for April 1, 2019 to available at https://cafn.ca/2019-by- March 31, 2024 on behalf of CAFN. election/ Banking and Signing Authority Congratulations – shäw nithän – to all for Chief Financial Officer the candidates. The Council authorized Gayle Corry (Chief Financial Officer) to have access to banking information for all CAFN bank and guaranteed investment certificate/term deposit accounts and loans and to have access to the online banking information effective immediately. Budget Requests The CAFN Council approved the CAFN 2019-20 supplemental budget requests for the fiscal year April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. First Nations Bank of Canada Signing Authority The CAFN Council serving till 2022 is (left to right): Dän nätthe dätthʼi (Councillor) Michael Beattie, Dän nätthe äda Kaaxnox (Chief Steve Smith), Dän nätthe dätthʼi (Councillor) Barb Joe, Dän nätthe dätthʼi Champagne and Aishihik First (Councillor) Marie McLaren, Äshäw Dän nätthe äda (Elder Councillor) Mundy Joe, Dän nätthe dätthʼi Nations Council resolved that in (Councillor) Rose Kushniruk (Deputy Chief to Dec 31, 2019), and Shäna Dän nätthe äda (Youth Councillor) accordance with the Financial Jessica Mazur (not pictured). YÚK’E/WINTER 2 019/20 | Dàkwäní 5 Dän Tän Gà Dījäl We all walk along the dän k’e trail Dän K’e – Our way of knowing, A staff working group is tasked with • Privacy is managed and protected doing and being – is our path helping build and enhance this new • Improved communication with forward, restoring our ancestors’ approach. Citizens vision for the future. What does a one-window approach What will a one-window approach CAFN continues our ongoing work to mean for Citizens? mean for staff? build Dän K’e into everything we do. • You don’t have to run around to This is a journey we began decades • Shifting our thinking about how learn the system ago with our efforts to achieve land we serve Citizens claims and re-instate self-government of our people, lands and • Improving how we interactive processes. It is a journey we with Citizens in a positive way expect to continue for decades • Seamless service delivery to come, as we continue to between staff/departments reinvigorate Kwaday Kwandur with a holistic view of Citizens (our stories), Dákwänjē (language), and our Dän K’e • Staff continue working values. with Citizens until they are connected to the programs Since 2015, CAFN has and services they require continued to work to create more holistic systems for • One staff person advocates Citizen services that are on behalf of each Citizen to focused on each individual ensure they are connected and break down barriers to to the right programs and communication and effective services service.