Tlįkw Tākw Dčslģn Łingķt Council Dąt Nīk 2011/12
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Tlákw tâkw Dèslìn Łingít Council dàt nîk 2011/12 The Teslin Tlingit Council Annual Report 2011/12 yourvoiceyourgovernmentourfuture Teslin Tlingit Council Mission Statement The Teslin Tlingit Council is mandated to cooperatively continue to preserve and develop the social, economic, political and cultural well being of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation, to maintain our pride and independence based on trust and respect, and to conserve the wildlife habitat and traditional territory for the well being of our future generations Àxh shtughâ hà ditî yá hà gamáni Tlagû yexh áwé hà łatin yá hà tl’átgi káx’ Yèsu áwé yìysitîn hà yêjinêyi kha mâ sá yè tuwa.û kha mâ sá tułatin wé hà tl’átgi kha hà sha gûn yourvoiceyourgovernmentourfuture TTC Annual Report 2011/12 The Chief 02 eXeCuTIVE DIReCToR 05 heRitage 07 implementation 13 Lands & Resources 18 woRkforce development 24 CApital & infrastructuRe 27 heAlTh & soCiAl 29 finAnCe 31 1 yourvoiceyourgovernmentourfuture transparency and accountability achieved through the All Citizen’s Executive Meetings, frequent public consultations and focused meetings driven by specific Citizen defined needs. These forums have delivered healthy public debate, improved transparency, and often resulted in direct Citizen led change. It is imperative for the government to uphold these opportunities, Message CHIeF from the continuing to engage both - with Peter Johnston Teslin and Whitehorse Citizens alike. There have been occasions when Citizen The follow pages include annual reports from each attendance has been low, but those that do come of TTC’s Department’s on their activities over the are able to influence decisions that will impact their last fiscal year from April 1st, 2011 to March 31st, lives and we encourage continued and growing 2012. attendance moving forward. As way of an introduction, I am taking this Building on our strengths, the Governance opportunity to report with the Executive Council Strategic Plan offers viable and relevant guidance on the achievements from the past 4 year 2008-12 for further progress. It focuses the General term. Over this period we have made significant Council and Executive Council on their legislative progress as a Government and a community. This mandate, allowing the Government’s administrative introduction gives readers a boarder perspective arm to operate more efficiently, without undue on how our Government develops and changes are interference. The Executive Council looks forward delivered. to implementing the finished Governance Strategic Plan to sustain and grow both accountability Fundamental to progress and increased Citizen and effective stakeholders relations with; other engagement, is government accountability. governments, resource developers and Citizens. Throughout this term that has been a priority, During our mandate, TTC has hosted two very successful Inland Tlingit Celebrations, evoking great pride within our people and the Executive Council. Sponsored and organized by TTC, this extended celebration was also supported by the Taku River Tlingit and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, building strong relations and reinforcing cultural pride. Pivotal economic opportunities, via resource Economic Development development, have been pursued with continued Fast progress continues on Economic focus and determination, with Dave Keenan Development Initiatives 2 yourvoiceyourgovernmentourfuture hired to negotiate on our behalf. We have been successful in creating opportunities for Tlingit Contractors with these companies. For three years, resource development companies have funded Citizens to attend the Mining Roundup in Vancouver, leading to further opportunities for Citizens. During the four year mandate, we have completed the lengthy negotiation for the drawdown New Housing of Justice, ratifying the passing of the TTC TTC continue to increase our housing stock peacemaker Court and Justice Council Act and celebrating the achievement on two occasions. successful with all students from the first intake The first being the signing of the agreement in finding jobs. This training opportunity provided our February 2011, the second at the AGA in July 2011, Citizens with the skills to assist TTC in its mandate where a community feast and dance were hosted as overall stewards of the land, according to our in recognition of TTC being the first Self Governing Agreements. This began as a joint business/ First Nation in Canada to become responsible training opportunity that developed to enable us to for the delivery of Justice. We are now able to upgrade the Brooks Brook facility with a budget resolve or adjudicate disputes that arise from the of $250,000 at no cost to TTC. Thus improving the Constitution or Teslin Tlingit law and; adjudicate venue to a standard that means we have been able violations of Teslin Tlingit legislation and; resolve or to rent it to outside groups and promote the facility adjudicate any dispute arising between, within or as a top class retreat centre. among respective Teslin Tlingit Clans. As a result of the work done at the Brooks facility, The Celebration Feast night at the 2011 Annual TTC became aware of significant hydrocarbon General Assembly was a great success. Many contamination in the existing test monitor wells Citizens, residents and some tourists joined us for near the Great Hall. TTC put together a proposal an evening of food and dance. to do an assessment and remediation plan of the contamination, which was presented to the Federal A joint initiative between TTC and the Yukon Government for approval and funding. A budget of Mine Training Association (YMTA) called Caring $399,000 was approved initially, in anticipation of for the Land (CFLI) had two successful student receiving further funding to complete the cleanup intakes, many from Yukon First Nations, including operation at the site. The intention is to hire some Teslin. They were trained in environmental practices of the CFLI graduates to work on the contamination which equip them to become stewards of the project, thus providing further training and the land. Both intakes of this program were extremely ability to apply skills gained during the CFLI program. The Executive Council has acknowledged the housing shortage as a real issue in our community. This problem affects a number of significant areas including; the ability to hire new staff, Citizen’s freedom to move and live on Settlement Land, and the availability of affordable, safe housing. Two initiatives that focus on this issue are being worked Brooks Brook on currently. There have been seven homes built Extensive upgrading has gone into during this mandate, an additional home is under Brooks Brook over the past years. 3 yourvoiceyourgovernmentourfuture initiated in the BC Traditional Territory to strengthen our negotiation position impending engagement from the BC government regarding our outstanding land claims settlement. • Strong working relations between the Village of Teslin and TTC built through joint involvement in delivering recreational events and activities within the community. The Executive Cultural Celebrations Council and VOT *(written in full) meet regularly; Two Inland Tlingit Celebrations discuss common issues to find solutions for the attracted thousands to Teslin. good of the entire community. construction and close to completion. Four homes (two duplexes) • Three annual visits to the Vancouver BC and are planned for the Summer of 2012. In tandem Yukon Mining Round up have meant that TTC are with this, TTC is the only First Nation in the well placed to build prosperous relationships with Yukon to be working cooperatively with the resource companies interested in working in our Yukon Government to jointly develop subdivisions Traditional Territory. for lease. The Little Teslin Lake subdivision is a success with 19 lots, 16 which have been leased. • The Executive Council was instrumental in The negotiations for a joint subdivision on the providing support for the international initiative Sawmill Road and at Morley Bay are progressing for the protection of Yukon River Salmon Stocks. and we anticipate being able to lease land in these Recognizing that this traditional way of life is under locations in the near future. threat, we maintain active and strong support for this important initiative. This period has seen a packed agenda with significant development and progress across many • Land use planning has remained a priority, areas including: completing the Commission being a key focus for the Executive Council. Via extensive talks and • Working through the challenges associated negotiations, the Terms of Reference have been with updating the Citizenship Code has led drafted, boundaries agreed, and the Commission to completion of a draft document due for should be operational in 2012/13. presentation at the 2012 AGA. We feel is accurately addresses all of the issues and will create a In closing we would like to thank the Citizens for common definition of citizenship. this opportunity to represent you in the best way possible. It has been an exciting four years working • Successfully negotiated the Financial with this important political agenda. Transfer Agreement (FTA), confirming receipt of an additional $1.2 m for our operations. • With education remaining a key priority, the Education Strategy is progressing well along with increased awareness of the need to do more for students. Students of all ages and Citizens wishing to take courses will continue to be supported. Bringing Justice Home • Executive