The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has fully rejoined the Council of Yukon First Nations 16 years after it cut ties with the organization.
On Wednesday, the council – better known as CYFN – a non-profit that advocates for First Nations in the territory – passed a resolution unanimously endorsing the First Nation’s full member status.
“I’m really honored and pleased and excited,” said Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) Chief Pauline Frost at a press conference Wednesday. “We want to be at the table as equal representatives.”
VGFN left CYFN in 2008 due to political disagreements it had with the organization and its leadership. It later came back in 2019 as an associate member.
Frost said a citizen brought a motion forward at VGFN’s general assembly this past summer to rejoin CYFN.
“It was debated and discussed, and there was very I would say – there was no negativity, there was no further tensions,” she said.
“(It) was all about the positivity of what it would mean to rejoin CYFN and the strength it would bring in unity. And, I think the citizens see great value in Vuntut Gwitchin being a part of the Council of Yukon First Nations.”
As a full member, VGFN now has voting rights at CYFN’s leadership table.
“Up to this point, we have essentially been observers. We voice our opinions and our thoughts at the table, but we were never presented with an opportunity to vote on resolutions,” Frost said.
She noted CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston played a big part in bringing the First Nation and CYFN back together.
Johnston said having the First Nation return as a full member is one of the “highlights” of his career at CYFN.
“It’s more than just that word ‘unity.’ It’s about giving them a reason to come back,” he said. “One of my objectives was to not only create a reason for nations to come back, but also to have that ability to give them that voice.”
Johnston said the First Nation brings a unique perspective to CYFN due to its remote location. VGFN is located in Old Crow, 800 km north of Whitehorse, and is the only fly-in community in the territory.
Frost said VGFN’s remoteness presents “unique challenges,” such as healthcare outcomes, food security, and climate change.
“We’re seeing changes around our sustainability, and we need help. We need the help of our colleagues,” she said. “Being so far removed from the urban center, we do have to have a stronger voice at the table sometimes.
“And you know, that that is welcomed, and we want to see that continue on.”
