Governments
Government of Yukon
The Board works primarily with the Department of Environment at the Government of Yukon and occasionally works with other departments such as Energy, Mines, and Resources.
The Department of Environment takes a leading role in regulating human impacts on fish and wildlife, enforcing legislation, providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities in territorial parks and campgrounds, and addressing the challenge of global climate change.
The Board makes recommendations to the Minister of Environment on all matters relating to fish and wildlife management, including legislation, policies, and programs. Within the department, we work closely with the Director of Fish and Wildlife Branch, who serves as the Board’s technical director.
The Board also works jointly with the Department of Environment during the Yukon Wildlife Act Regulation Change Process.
Contact
Box 2703 (V-3A), Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
Email: environmentyukon@yukon.ca
Phone: 867.667.5652
Fax: 867.393.7197
Yukon First Nations governments
There are 14 Yukon First Nations, representing eight language groups. There are also transboundary Nations from Northwest Territories and British Columbia that have traditional territory in Yukon. Yukon’s First Nations peoples represent roughly a quarter of the territory’s population.
Yukon First Nations’ role in Yukon governance
In Yukon, governance looks slightly different than elsewhere in the country. And that is mainly owing to the large portion of Yukon First Nations with signed Land Claims.
Land Claims are constitutionally protected agreements between Canada, Yukon, and the signatory First Nation.
Each claim is comprised of a Final Agreement and a Self-Governing Agreement. These agreements are modelled after the UFA. The land claim package ensures the First Nations’ right to be self-governing and self-determining on their Settlement Land is honoured.
Of the 14 Yukon First Nations, 11 have signed Land Claims agreements. Together, these Nations have Traditional Territories that encompass the whole territory. Honouring this means Yukon First Nations must be included as an essential part of the overall governance structure.
The Board works with all Yukon First Nations, with and without Land Claims agreements, to help conserve and manage the territory’s fish, wildlife, and habitat.
Yukon First Nations Contact Information
- Carcross/Tagish First Nation
- Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
- First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
- Kluane First Nation
- Kwanlin Dün First Nation
- Liard First Nation
- Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
- Ross River Dena Council
- Selkirk First Nation
- Ta’an Kwäch’än Council
- Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
- Teslin Tlingit Council
- Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
- White River First Nation
The Council of Yukon First Nations
Transboundary First Nations Contact Information
