rst Fi Na d t Liard First Nation Newsletter r i a o i n L K A S K A Issue 1 June 2020 Message from the Chief relationship within the business community. The debt owed to the federal government has been reduced, and reports and Council on funding provided are submitted on time. Dear Liard First Nation Members: We have expanded the staff employed by LFN and have a housing officer and an employment officer. A Housing In June of 2017, the current Council began its term, and the Committee was established to oversee and administer the last three years have been challenging and rewarding. housing allocations. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has presented LFN with unex- In the area of economic development, this Council has pected issues. In response to the risk posed by COVID-19 addressed the corporate financial trouble of the past and and the economic pressure, the LFN Council provided cleaned up the old mess. We established a new develop- financial relief and essential services to keep members ment corporation, First Kaska, which is on the right path healthy and safe. to creating job opportunities and wealth for LFN citizens. Much progress has been made during this time. This Council has rebuilt the relationship with the Govern- As of April 1, 2018, LFN has no longer been under ment of Yukon and negotiated agreements, such as the third-party management and the Council have been in Nahanni Range Road and the Robert Campbell Highway, charge. Since this change, all funds have been accounted that will provide jobs for members. for, and all members treated equally. Watson Lake Shuttle and Freight is 100 percent owned by One of the most significant accomplishments was Liard LFN, and is providing an essential service to LFN members First Nation’s successful participation in the Supreme Court and the community of Watson Lake. of Yukon’s decision ruling against all claims brought forth We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Kaska Dena Council (KDC) in their motion seeking a to participate in the recognition of Indigenous Rights and formal declaration as a holder of Kaska Aboriginal Rights Self-Determination (RIRSD) table with Canada. The RIRSD and Title in the SE Yukon. Table will discuss various issues, including being recognized This Council met almost every week to discuss the busi- as self-determining people by the federal government. ness of LFN and make decisions in the best interest of all Work has begun on developing an LFN Constitution that the members. It was the first in LFN’s history of Councils is a foundational document for a self-governing nation. to meet regularly, as well as to make the majority of deci- sions based on consensus. It also made it easier to move continued next page... forward in addressing the many issues the First Nation faced when this Council was elected, including seized Inside bank accounts. We have also adhered to the basic public Message from the Chief and Council . 1. administration principle that politicians should not mess with the money. Significant Achievements by the Numbers . .2 LFN’s outstanding comprehensive land claim negotiation loan debt forgiven by Canada . .3 First Kaska creating job opportunities for LFN members . .3 LFN and YT Gov’t agree to improve 57 km of Campbell Highway . .4 History of Liard First Nation Elections since 1992 . .4 Housing construction and renovations at LFN have put members to work . .5 FireSmart workers are LFN members . .5 Bus manager and driver is an asset to a growing business . .6 Join In LFN History – Contribute to LFN Constitution . .7 A unique and interesting look at Kaska history in northern BC . .8 Supreme Court decision provides certainty over who must be consulted . .9 Chief George Morgan Mining developments and remediation and forestry developments . .10 We have made a concerted effort to reach out to off-re- LFN signs Memorandum of serve members and to inform all members by launching an Understanding with Canada . .14 LFN Facebook Page and Website so we can update mem- Changes to the Post-Secondary Program will bers on the activities of the Council and opportunities benefit LFN members . 14. offered. LFN and Gov’t of YT reach agreement the first phase There are still financial issues that need work, but the Coun- of Nahanni Range Road improvements . .15 cil has made much progress in this area in the last three For further information . .16 years. Bills are paid on time, and we have re-established our 2 Council continues to implement procedures for Good Gov- The Council asks that all members practice the Six Steps ernance by practicing accountability, integrity, openness for Staying Safe, such as maintaining a safe space of and transparency while looking after our resources and two metres from each other when in public and limiting the environment in our traditional territories. gatherings to no more than ten persons unless they are in your family bubble. The Council believes we are on the right path, but of course, more needs to be done. We need to improve and deliver more programs and services for our members, particularly our Elders. We encourage members to glance through this newslet- ter and read some of the articles that provide more infor- mation on this Council’s achievements. Should you have questions, please contact a member of the Council. We George Morgan on behalf of Council look forward to hearing from you. 2017-2020 Significant Achievements by the Numbers All LFN members treated equally and the terms of Housing all funding agreements were met . • 7 - 3 bedroom homes constructed; Communication • 2 small homes renovated; • LFN Website and Facebook sites created . • 5 emergency cabins built; and COVID-19 Financial Support • 3 - 1 bedroom houses currently underway . • More than 550 members assisted . Housing Improvements Education • 11 homes renovated; • Students sponsored through Post-Secondary • Ramps and landings renovated; education (PSE) . • 40 fridge replacements; • 30 stove replacements; Employment • 18 furnace replacements; and • Continue to assist members with seeking employment opportunities; and continual • Doors and windows replaced . dialogue with potential employers; Language • Creating jobs through First Kaska initiatives; • Language revitalization; • 26 members employed as staff; • Digitization of audio recordings; and • 7 members involved with phases of house construction; • Development of Kaska language app . • 12 – 14 members in FireSmart; and Training • 4 members involved in Community • Housing maintainer – 2 programs 10 – 12 Clean-Up 2019 . students each; and Health • Environment – 25 students . • Jordan’s Principle Nutrition Program for children under 18 years started; and • First Nation Community Support Worker – Hospital Corporation . 2020 Going Forward - Tackling the Challenges Ahead With a Focused Three-Year Plan Education Health • Updating the Post-Secondary Manual to reflect • Developing weekly programs to assist members changes; in well-being . • Continuing support for members in academic endeavours and assistance with addi tional Staffing funding . • Fill vacant positions with qualified personnel and or LFN trainees . Employment • Assisting members in seeking employment Training opportunities . • Continuing to support members with training to be successful in the workplace . Governance • Policy Development in administration and finance . 3 LFN’s outstanding comprehensive land claim negotiation loan debt forgiven by Canada Liard First Nation’s outstanding comprehensive land claim “The write-off meant that a remission order, instead of the negotiation loan debt owed to Canada for $14,897,877 .24 forgiveness transaction, was required to allow LFN to clear has been cancelled . This amount is no longer a liability for the debt from its account and to be treated in the same Liard First Nation (LFN) should comprehensive land claim manner as all of the other Indigenous groups eligible to negotiations resume . The debt can be removed from LFN’s have their loan debt forgiven,” noted Ms . Poirier . financial statements . A remission order is a mechanism under s . 23(2 .1) of the In the 2019 budget, the federal government announced it Financial Administration Act for cancelling debts owing to would be forgiving loans to Indigenous groups who have Canada . The cancellation of a debt through a remission taken on debt to negotiate comprehensive claims and trea- order does not result in any amounts payable to the debtor . ties . The write off removed the loans as recoverable by Canada’s accounts . However, the debt remained on the The effective date of the remission order is February 3, 2020 . LFN account . According to Marie-Christine Poirier, Manag- Chief George Morgan says, “This is good news for Liard er of the Fiscal Branch with the Treaties and Aboriginal Gov- First Nation . When LFN returns to the negotiation table, we ernment Sector of Indigenous Services Canada, “Should will not be restricted by the old system . The LFN leadership Liard First Nation return to negotiations, Canada would seek commends the Trudeau Government for taking this step .” payment of the loan by the offset of the settlement amount payable under the Treaty .” First Kaska creating job opportunities for LFN members First Kaska GP Ltd, which is solely owned by Liard First Nation cording to Mr . Lamouelle, he expects First Kaska will receive (LFN), is creating job opportunities for members through proj- 15 to 20 percent of the work . ects such as the replacement of the existing Big Creek Bridge located on the Alaskan Highway about 62 kilometres northwest In the middle of May, First Kaska posted on the LFN Facebook of Watson Lake . and Website the potential job opportunities . Mr . Lamouelle said there had been numerous LFN members responding to The project will see a new reinforced concrete and steel gird- the call for resumes . er bridge built and realignment of the existing approaches, paving and guiderail installation .