Assembly of 34th Annual General Assembly WELCOME , | July 16-18, 2013 TO OUR YUKON

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | i Pauline Cove Beaufort Sea

Tuktoyaktuk

Old Crow

Inuvik

Fairbanks Fort McPherson

Circle Hot Springs

Gwich’in A r c t ic C ir c le Eagle U.S.A. Plains Delta Junction CANADA Eagle Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz Chicken Hän

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Dawson City Upper Yukon Tanana

Mayo Keno City Beaver Stewart Creek Crossing

Southern Pelly Tutchone Crossing

U.S.A. North West CANADA Carmacks

Destruction Faro Territories Bay

Tłingit Haines Ross Junction River

Whitehorse Kaska Yakutat Tłingit Teslin

Atlin, BC Haines Skagway Watson Paci c British Lake Ocean Columbia

Fort Liard ii | WELCOME TO OUR LAND Liard

River

U.S.A. CANADA Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Greetings 8 Schedule of Events 10 Part of the Land, Part of the Water 12 Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 14 Cultural Events 18 Acknowledgements

Cover Images Left: Elijah Smith (front right) with Yukon Chiefs and advisors Ostashek (r); back row: (l-r) Chiefs Dave Keenan, Paul Birckel, in Ottawa for presentation of Together Today for Our Children Robert Hager, Robert Bruce. photo. Tomorrow, 1973. Photo courtesy Judy Gingell. Right: Cherish Clarke and daughter at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Middle: Signing of Umbrella Final Agreement, 1993. Front row: Centre, Grand Opening. Photo courtesy Fritz Mueller Photography. Judy Gingell (c), INAC Minister Tom Siddon (l), John Artwork courtesy Mark Preston—Tenna-Tsa-Teh

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 1 GREETINGS

As the AFN Regional Chief I am very pleased to extend a warm Yukon welcome to this 34th Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations. This is a significant occasion for all Yukon First Nations, and for the territory overall, as we welcome more than 500 chiefs, delegates and media from across Canada. We plan to show you the best of our best—with authentic traditional and contemporary fun, food, arts and performances—making this a memorable experience for all of you in the land of the midnight sun!

Our people have always lived as “part of the land and part of the water” in this beautiful place. We adapted to the rugged terrain and the cold of winter, celebrated the bounty of summer and the quiet peace of open spaces. For countless

generations our families travelled together, sharing life’s joys and challenges as self Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz sufficient, skilled and independent people. More than a century ago the brought swift and vast changes, followed by the building of the and more industrial development after WW II. Through all this upheaval we maintained our identity as Yukon peoples—preserving our languages, our knowledge and our values. Today we see our young people surging forward with renewed passion for learning their traditional ways, guided by our Elders and supported by the strength of our communities.

This General Assembly coincides with the 40th anniversary of Together Today for

Photo: Government of Canada Our children Tomorrow, our 1973 statement of claims. Led by Elijah Smith, Yukon Former KDFN Chief Mike Smith holding Chiefs presented this document to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in Ottawa, the KDFN Final Agreement signed in beginning of our long journey to self government. We negotiated for twenty years Whitehorse in 2005. to establish our Umbrella Final Agreement in 1993. Today we celebrate that 20th anniversary with the first four self-governing nations—Champagne & Aishihik, Na-Cho Nyack Dun, Teslin Council, and Vuntut Gwitch’in. Altogether we are now eleven self governing Yukon First Nations.

Thank you for choosing the Yukon as your meeting place this year and for joining in our anniversary celebrations. We look forward to sharing this beautiful land we call home!

Mike Smith Yukon Regional Chief Assembly of First Nations

2 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND Welcome!

Kwanlin Dün First Nation is proud to be a co-host First Nation of the 34th Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations here in Whitehorse, Yukon.

In this year of important anniversaries for Yukon First Nation land claims and self-government, we are honoured to welcome First Nations leaders and delegates from across Canada to our traditional territory for this important event.

We look forward to meeting and learning from other First Nations, and to sharing our cultures, successes and warm Yukon hospitality.

Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Chief Rick O’Brien, KDFN Rick O’Brien Chief, Kwanlin Dün First Nation

Welcome Respected Chiefs and delegates to our traditional territory of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.

We are honored to co-host the AFN Annual General Assembly with our Neighbor, Kwanlin Dün First Nation. This event offers opportunities for us to share our culture and heritage of the Southern Tuchone. We are excited to showcase the accomplishments of Yukon First Nations on the 40th anniversary of the landmark document, “Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.” Enjoy your time in Yukon while we work together towards common goals for First Nations in Canada.

Kristina Kane Chief, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Chief Kristina Kane, TKC

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 3 Welcome Elders, Veterans, Chiefs, Delegates & Visitors:

On behalf of the Council of Yukon First Nations I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to beautiful Whitehorse, Yukon.

The Yukon is home to fourteen First Nations of which eleven are self-governing and we make up 24 percent of the current population. Whitehorse is the traditional Territory of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council as well as Kwanlin Dün First Nation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of our document Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography “Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow”. Our document initiated the Yukon Land claim process and it is also the 20th anniversary of the Umbrella Final Agreement which lead the way to eleven Yukon First Nation final land claim and self- government agreements.

Please take the time to enjoy the magic and the mystery Grand Chief Ruth Massie, CYFN the Yukon has to offer, as well as the warm hospitality and the endless daylight.

Mussi Cho

In Unity,

Ruth Massie Grand Chief, Council of Yukon First Nations Photo: Christian Kuntz

4 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND Welcome to the Yukon!

Forty years ago, Yukon First Nations went to Ottawa for the presentation of “Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow”, the foundation document of the Yukon First Nation Land Claims. Since that historic presentation, Yukon First Nations have led the way in Canada in the success of their governments.

I hope you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy our spectacular scenery and warm Yukon hospitality. I wish you the very best in your conference deliberations and safe travels home.

Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Warm Regards,

The Honourable Doug Phillips, The Honourable Doug Phillips of Yukon Commissioner of Yukon

A warm welcome to National Chief Shawn A-In-Chut Atleo and all the delegates at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Meeting.

As Yukon’s Member of Parliament, I am honoured that you have chosen our great Territory to host this important gathering. I encourage you to embrace all the Yukon and our First Nations people have to offer - the richness and depth of its tradition and culture, our world class artists and performers, northern delicacies, and Yukon’s magical landscape.

I wish you the best with your meetings.

Welcome and enjoy!

Photo: Christian Kuntz Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Ryan Leef, MP (Yukon) Ryan Leef, MP (Yukon)

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 5 On behalf of the Government of Yukon, I welcome First Nation Elders, Chiefs and others attending the 34th Assembly of First Nations’ Annual General Assembly.

It is fitting this assembly is in Yukon this year as we celebrate several Yukon First Nation milestones: the 40th anniversary of Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, as well as the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Umbrella Final Agreement and Yukon’s first four Final and Self-government agreements. To learn more visit mappingtheway.ca.

I wish you a successful assembly and a wonderful stay. Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Sincerely,

Darrell Pasloski, Darrell Pasloski, Premier of Yukon

Council and I would like to welcome you to the City of Whitehorse, located in the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än.

We are very pleased to welcome you on this the 40th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow, the Yukon First Nation statement of claim, which set the stage for a new positive relationship between First Nation and non-First Nation peoples and governments in the Yukon.

Mayor Dan Curtis

Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography

Dan Curtis Mayor, City of Whitehorse

6 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND Northern Vision Development LP is excited to welcome the 2013 AFN General Assembly to our home in Whitehorse, Yukon!

NVDLP is proud to be over 40% Yukon First Nations owned. Our collaborations with First Nation partners are an important part of our success and our growth in Yukon. We are delighted to be a Presenting Sponsor for the Yukon Regional Events for this prestigious event and hope all delegates enjoy every bit of their experience in Canada’s beautiful North.

Photo: Fritz Mueller Photography Richard S. Thompson, CEO NVDLP Richard S. Thompson, CEO, Northern Vision Development LP

Executive Producer’s Welcome

I have been honoured to work with the Host Committee to plan the Yukon Regional events for the 34th AFN Annual General Assembly, and with all the performers, artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations to create a wonderful program for this gathering of First Nations people from across the country. Our goal is to see our young people light up your hearts with the warmth of Yukon hospitality—in our way and in our . We know they will amaze you with all their talents and their passion in reaching for the stars. This is a wonderful time of growth—we are welcoming the world to our homeland with energy and confidence, building a bright future on the firm foundations of our traditions and self-governance. We sincerely hope you enjoy your time with us as much as we enjoyed preparing for your visit.

Shäwnithän—thank you to everyone who made this event so memorable!

Katie Johnson Bella Elite Events & Consulting

Katie Johnson, Bella Elite Events & Consulting

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 7 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Photo: Government of Yukon

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2013 WELCOME FEAST Kwanlin Dün 5:30pm – Co-hosted by Kwanlin Dün First Nation & Ta’an Kwächän Council Cultural Centre - 9:00pm for the AFN Executive/Tri- Councils Longhouse MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013 Mountain View 7:30am – 23RD ANNUAL AFN FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENT Golf Course – 250 2:30pm Skookum Drive The Coast High 5:00pm – Country Inn & AFN AGA PRE REGISTRATION FOR DELEGATES 7:00pm Convention Centre Ballroom B2 Kwanlin Dün First 5:00pm – LIGHTING OF THE SACRED FIRE Nation Cultural 6:00pm Ceremony – All Welcome Centre (outside Fire Pit) TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2013 Kwanlin Dün First 6:30am PIPE CEREMONY/SACRED FIRE Nation Cultural Centre (outside Fire Pit) AFN AGA OPENING CEREMONIES/MEETING The Coast High 8:00am – Special Commemorative Presentation on the 40th Anniversary of Together Today for Country Inn & 5:00pm Our Children Tomorrow & 20th Anniversary of the Umbrella Final Agreement Convention Centre Next to the Coast 9:00am – YUKON FIRST NATIONS REGIONAL TRADESHOW High Country Inn & 5:00pm Open to the Public Convention Centre INDIGENACTION FUN RUN/WALK Millennium Trail start 5:30pm – 5KM Friendship Walk/Run at F.H. Collins High 7:00pm Registration 5:30pm School Parking Lot Start time 6:00pm CULTURAL NIGHT AT HELEN’S FISH CAMP Hosted by Ta’an Kwächän Council Join us for an evening of cultural experiences and activities with the Ta’an Kwäch’än 6:00pm – people at their traditional fish camp. Come out and enjoy: stew and bannock, stick Helen’s Fish Camp - 10:00pm gambling, story telling, soap berry ice-cream, cultural demonstrations, drummers and other activities.

Shuttles depart at 6:00 pm from the Coast High Country Inn & selected hotels Register at the Information Booth Note: this schedule may be subject to some changes.

8 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 Kwanlin Dün First 6:30am PIPE CEREMONY/SACRED FIRE Nation Cultural Centre (outside Fire Pit) The Coast High 8:00am – AFN AGA MEETINGS Country Inn & 5:00pm Convention Centre Next to the Coast 9:00am – YUKON FIRST NATIONS REGIONAL TRADESHOW High Country Inn & 5:00pm Open to the Public Convention Centre YUKON FIRST NATIONS GALA & RECEPTION Presented by Northern Vision Development LP Reception starts at 6:30pm | Show starts at 8:00pm Shuttles provided for delegates leaving the Coast High Country Inn & Convention Centre and selected hotels at 6:00pm 6:30pm – Yukon Arts Centre 9:30pm When the Path Transforms Featuring the best of Northern artists sharing their stories, music & dance! Directed by internationally renowned director Alejandro Ronceria Gala Tickets: $50 per person | Available at Information Booth or online www.yukontickets.com THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013 Kwanlin Dün First 6:30am PIPE CEREMONY/SACRED FIRE Nation Cultural Centre (outside Fire Pit) The Coast High 8:00am – AFN AGA MEETINGS Country Inn & 5:00pm Convention Centre Next to the Coast 9:00am – YUKON FIRST NATIONS REGIONAL TRADESHOW High Country Inn & 5:00pm Open to the Public Convention Centre 5:30pm – COUNCIL OF YUKON FIRST NATIONS Yukon Inn 8:00pm WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION FOR AFN DELEGATES 4220, 4th Ave FREE POST-CONFERENCE TRIP TO HAINES JUNCTION 5:30pm – Haines Junction 10:00pm

Note: this schedule may be subject to some changes.

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 9 PART OF THE LAND, PART OF THE WATER

We are the Yukon’s First peoples, proud descendents of our Kwädày Kwädän (Long Ago Peoples). Our esteemed Teslin Elder, Virginia Smarch said our old people were “part of the land and part of the water.” They lived in harmony with this land for countless generations, immersed in its beauty, surviving on its resources, sustained by our culture, travelling and trading according to our own laws and lifeways. Today we gather up their wisdom and take it with us on journeys to new opportunities in the contemporary world.

Our homeland is north of the 60th and hides for clothing. Smaller animals latitude, between the Northwest such as beaver, otter, muskrat, gopher, Territories and Alaska. The Yukon is a and many others also provide food and vast land of many contrasts—from lush fur. Berries are abundant treasures— southern forests, to more arid central lingonberries (cranberry), blueberries, Alaska regions of boreal forest, and north cloud berries, salmon berries, raspberries into taiga on arctic coastal plains with and strawberries gathered in summer Yukon thousands of small lakes and muskeg. sunshine and carefully stored for healthy NWT Mountains stand tall, interspersed with meals. Salmon, trout, grayling, and long deep lakes, swift flowing clear whitefish provide rich protein and fat to rivers, and thousands of smaller lakes sustain people through long cold winters and streams. The Yukon is a sensual paradise—aromas Larger mammals such as moose, caribou, of sage, spruce and pine permeate and bear were and are sources of food valleys. The crunch of dry snow, crackling

United States

10 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND of ice, and sharp bite of cold announce “Midnight Sun.” Fall comes suddenly in winter’s arrival. Daytime skies are late August with golden leaves and frosty brilliant blue, with gorgeous sunrise nights. Snow falls in October and lasts and sunset hues of pink and lavender. until April. Winter temperatures can drop Night skies shine in the magical aurora to -50C or colder (record of -86F in the of northern lights and the brilliance of 1940s), but average from -10 to -20C. moon and stars seen through crystal Spring brings glorious reawakening clear atmosphere. The calls of wolf, in late March with longer daylight and coyote, squirrel, bluebird, raven and millions of migrating birds—swans, geese, eagle intermingle with soft breezes and ducks, cranes—headed north to nest. This sometimes howling winds. is a land fully enjoyed, much loved and cherished by the people who live here. Northern seasons are varied and extreme in nature—brief summers from June through August, with hot days under the

Photo: Mark Rutledge Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 11 TOGETHER TODAY FOR OUR CHILDREN TOMORROW Much has changed in the 150 years since newcomers began arriving in our land. The fur trade, Klondike Gold Rush, Alaska Highway, and other events brought rapid economic change, social upheaval and devastating epidemics. Governments established borders separating us from family and resources. Newcomers imposed education, religion, and policies to eliminate our traditions. Some changes were more difficult, altering our lives and lands forever. Photo: Yukon Archives. E.J. Hamacher fonds (Margaret and Rolf Hougen Collection), 2002/118 #174. E.J. Hamacher Archives. fonds (Margaret and Rolf Hougen Collection), 2002/118 Photo: Yukon Studio portrait of (l-r) Gold Commissioner George P. Mackenzie, Chief Jim Boss Despite many difficulties, our people the first Yukon land claim in 1902. In (Kishwoot), Skookum Jim (), Reverend played key roles in Yukon history. We the 1940s Kishwoot witnessed the W.G. Blackwell at Whitehorse, ca 1910. supplied furs, food, and family to sustain building of the Alaska Highway when the fur trade. Keish (Skookum Jim) First Nation guides scouted trails and helped discover the gold at Bonanza provided northern expertise. After World Creek starting the Klondike Gold Rush. War II roads replaced river transport. Our Chief Isaac of Dawson shared his children were sent to residential schools, knowledge with Klondike stampeders. separated for years from families and Kishwoot (Chief Jim Boss) recorded culture, losing touch with languages, skills,

For many years our children were sent away to school, separated from family and culture. Children at St. Paul’s Hostel, Chief Isaac at Discovery Day celebrations, , ca 1940s. Dawson City, 1924. Geddes fonds #9673 William CYA, Archives. Photo: Yukon Photo: Yukon Archives. Claude & Mary fonds #7283. Archives. Tidd Photo: Yukon

12 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND and values. We suffered discrimination, were excluded from government and “Our old ways and decisions made in our land, discouraged trails connect our past, from following our traditional harvesting and cultural practices. present, and future— Our leaders realized we had to establish giving us direction to new political organizations to gain a say in Yukon development and regain find new ways to work control over our lives. We established Photo: Government of Canada the Yukon Native Brotherhood and the with our neighbours. Traditional Chief Glen Grady holds up Ta’an Yukon Association of Non Status Indians in the Yukon and Kwäch’än Council Final Agreement at 2002 in the 1960s. We formed the Council for signing ceremony in Whitehorse, with (l-r) Yukon Indians, now called the Council TKC Chair John Burdek, INAC Minister worldwide...” Robert Nault and Premier Pat Duncan. of Yukon First Nations in the 1970s. We documented our traditional land use and stated our claims in a manifesto Our people have always worked together, undermine our people and interfere with called: Together Today for Our Children relying on the land and our culture, to our goals. We remain focused on going Tomorrow, presented by our celebrated adapt and to survive. Today we live in forward with the responsibilities of Self leader Elijah Smith and the Yukon settled communities, with modern homes, Government, with strong and balanced Chiefs to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau stores, schools, cars, cell phones and decision making in our lives and our lands, on Parliament Hill in 1973. computers. We still travel on the land and building sustainable communities with the water, gathering food, strengthening strong families to live in harmony with the For thirty years we negotiated with the our minds, and working to preserve the lands and waters our ancestors handed governments of Canada and the Yukon timeless beauty of the Yukon. We are down to us. to establish the Yukon Umbrella Final stronger than ever, reclaiming our lands, Agreement (UFA), now enshrined in renewing our languages and culture, Thank you for listening to our stories. the Canadian Constitution. Eleven of reviving our beliefs, and reaching out to We invite you to visit us any time—you will our fourteen First Nations reached the world with our values and knowledge. be most welcome. We’ll feed you good settlements plus Self Government Our drums are beating with new strength food from the land and the water, we’ll Agreements under the UFA. The Upper in unique combinations of past, present make you laugh and dance. Our old ways Liard, Council and White and future goals. and trails connect our past, present, and River First Nations continue discussions future—giving us direction to find new on their future. Our UFA is a milestone We acknowledge many challenges in ways to work with our neighbours in the achievement—for Yukon First Nations, today’s realities. Global climate change, Yukon and worldwide, spreading the Yukon people and Canadians—a positive pollution and economic factors are message to live wisely—together today for and peaceful reconciliation model for causing declines in animal and fish our children tomorrow. the world. populations. Social pressures sometimes

Grand Opening of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Photo: Yukon Archives. CYA, William Geddes fonds #9673 William CYA, Archives. Photo: Yukon

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 13 Lighting of the

Sacred Fire. Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz Photo: Government of Yukon

We invite all delegates to come and take part in this traditional practice that provides the opportunity to say special July 15, 2013 prayers or ask for blessings, and can be a time for meditation, healing or just to enjoy the spiritual uplift that a Sacred As part of the Assembly of First Nations AGA, the host Fire can provide. committee will be hosting a Sacred Fire, starting with a Lighting Ceremony at 5pm on Monday, July 15th at the WHAT: Sacred Fire WHERE: Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Fire Pit of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. WHEN: Lighting Ceremony The Sacred Fire will burn for 3 days, with a Fire Keeper 5pm - July 15th Fire burning - July 15th-18th available during that time to support guests in making Sacred Fire Extinguishing offerings. The Sacred Fire will be extinguished at 5pm on July 18 at 5pm. on Thursday July 18th, 2013.

14 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council would like to invite you to Helen’s

Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz Photo: Government of Yukon Fish Camp at Lake Laberge.

This free tour will take place on Tuesday July 16, 2013 with shuttle buses July 16, 2013 departing from the High Country Inn Convention Centre and selected hotels at 6:00pm.

Join us for an evening of cultural experiences and activities Ta’an Kwäch’än Council at the Ta’an Kwäch’än people’s traditional fish camp. Come 117 Industrial Road Whitehorse, Yukon out and enjoy: stew and bannock, stick gambling, story Y1A 2T8 telling, soap berry ice-cream, cultural demonstrations, Phone: 867-668-3613 Fax: 867-667-4295 drummers and other activities. [email protected]

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 15 AT THE YUKON ARTS CENTRE PRESENTING SPONSOR RECEPTION STARTS AT 6:30PM SHOW STARTS AT 8:00PM July 17, 2013

TICKETS: $50 per person When the Path Transforms

Available at AFN AGA Host Committee Features the best of northern artists celebrating & sharing Information Booth at the Coast High their stories, music and dance. Country Inn & Convention Centre or online www.yukontickets.com Directed by internationally renowned director Alejandro Ronceria. Shuttle buses leaving the Coast High Performances by Boyd Benjamin, Diyet, Daniel Tlen, Dakhká Khwáan Country Inn & Convention Centre and selected hotels starting at 6:00 pm. Dancers, Kevin Barr, Kaska Dena Drummers, Kwanlin Dün Dancers, Selkirk Spirit Dancers & Warren Strand.

16 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND July 18, 2013

Driving tour Whitehorse Please register at the AFN Information to Haines Junction. Booth in the lobby. Limited seating, register soon! Traditional Meal. Tour departs Whitehorse at 5:30pm Tour our amazing new and returns late.

Cultural Centre! Transportation and meal provided compliments of • Beadwork Exhibit • Our Story • Artifacts • Gift Shop • Artworks • Much More!

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 17 TENNA-TSA-TEH (Mark Preston)

The Wolf and the Raven/Crow have been Mark Preston (Tenna-Tsa-Teh) was born and remain to be important symbols for “When I think about in Dawson City, Yukon. He is of Tlingit and many First Nations people of the Yukon. Irish ancestry presently living in Vancouver, Of particular importance is the land and all what art is, it is more . that nature has to do with life in the North. than illustration or He learned about his Tlingit ancestry In this painting you see the close objects to be doted through family and school study. Initially, association with the land and nature. The Mark began studying art through Wolf and the moon are spiritual elements over. Art is the magic, European masters such as Leonardo da of the natural world we live in. The Raven, Vinci but later discovered other notable long associated with the spiritual world, the glue that binds masters: Bill Reid, Robert Davidson and sits perched on a tree as if speaking to the Roy Vickers. spirit of the Wolf. Far off in the sky you can us all together. It is see the eagle, ravens and the moon, also Mark has studied various mediums in symbols of spiritual significance. the language that paper, cloth, wood, metals, stone and most recently started working on glass. As an artist, I am allowed to see the transcends its forms.” He began studying silver carving with well wonder and the subtleties of nature in known master jeweler and carver Phil bold and colorful ways; it helps me to see Janze (Gitskan Nation) at Hazelton, B.C. the world in a way that most people only dream it to be.

18 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND THANK YOU! Thank you to all the performers, artists, presenters and Elders for celebrating & sharing their stories, music and dance throughout the week.

Andrameda Hunter Gary Johnson Old Crow Dancers

Boyd Benjamin Hazel Bunbury Rising Sun Singers

Bob Hamilton Judy Gingell Robert Van Lieshout

Dakhká Khwáan Dancers Kaska Dena Drummers Selkirk Spirit Dancers

Daniel Tlen Kevin Barr Sharon Shorty

David Bunbury Kwanlin Dün Dancers Shirley Adamson

Diyet Lorraine Netro Ta’an Kwäch’än Dancers

Duane Gastant’ Aucoin Nicole Smith Warren Strand

Ed Shultz Northern Cultural Expressions Society Photo: Fritz Mueller PhotographyPhoto: Fritz

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 19 On behalf of the Host Committee I want to thank all the people who worked so long and hard to make this AFN AGA a success. For over a year, members of the Host Committee have been meeting, scheming and dreaming a big Yukon welcome for AFN delegates and visitors! Many other individuals and organizations contributed to the planning and hosting of these activities as well. Good work team! ~ Mike Smith, Yukon Regional Chief, AFN

Host Committee Members Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Event Management Team Chief Kristina Kane Shawn O’Dell Katie Johnson, Executive Producer, Acting Chief Alicia Vance Emmie Fairclough Bella Elite Events & Consulting Deputy Chief Michelle Telep Scott Dickson Jessie Stephen, Tradeshow Coordinator Elders’ Councillor Judy Gingell Jill Delaney Luke DeCoste, Tradeshow/Sponsorship Elaine Shorty Samantha Dawson Antonia Lafferty, Production Assistant Tiffany Eckert-Maret Executive, Lands, Resources Linda Johnson, Editor/Writer Samantha Dawson & Heritage Staff Mark Rutledge, Outside the Cube/ Lael Lund Designer Kim-Mia Pronovost Firekeeper/Sacred Fire Val Chambers, Shadhala Food Services Heather O’Grady Phil Gatensby Gala Production Team Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Fundraising Committee Peter Johnston Alanis King, Script Writer Patti Balsillie Alejandro Ronceria, Artistic Director Liz Smith Media/Communications Committee Patrick Matheson, Lighting Designer KDCC Staff Lael Lund Roly Mitton, Sound Technician Kwanlin Dün First Nation Samantha Dawson Daniel Ashley, Stage Production Jeanie Dendys Jenna Young/AFN Communications Yukon Arts Centre Staff Darlene Smith Steve Hare, Solid Sound Advisors/Elders Viola Papequash Marsh Lake Tents & Events Eric Morris Johnny Brass Judy Gingell A special thank you to Lori Martin, Karen Jackson Lake Facility Staff Shirley Adamson Hunter, Larry Whiteduck, Adamek Teresa Ward from the Assembly of First Nations and a huge thank you to all the Volunteers who helped make this event a success!

20 | WELCOME TO OUR LAND THANK YOU!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

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ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS – 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 21 Wishing a Yukon Welcome to all Chiefs & Delegates who are attending this year’s Assembly of First Nations General Assembly in Whitehorse. From simple to complex, intimate to high profile events, Bella Elite Events & Consulting works for success.

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