Introduction:

Comprehensive claims negotiations are intended to accommodate the interests of Aboriginal Peoples, governments and third parties.

Comprehensive claims settlements receive constitutional protection under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Background:

The Council for Yukon Indians' (CYI) claim, entitled "Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow", was accepted by the federal government for negotiation in 1973. An agreement-in-principle was reached in 1984 and ratified by both the federal and territorial governments, but was rejected by the CYI General Assembly.

In December 1986, a new federal policy on Comprehensive Claims was announced which addressed some of the key concerns of the Yukon First Nations. Negotiation of the Council for Yukon Indians comprehensive claims resumed in 1987 in accordance with the revised policy. A new agreement-in-principle was accepted by all parties in 1988.

Process:

The CYI claims negotiations have focused on the following key elements:

• An umbrella final agreement (UFA), which provides the framework for First Nation Final Agreement negotiations;
• Individual Yukon First Nation final agreements (YFNFAs), which incorporate provisions of the umbrella final agreement and address the specific circumstances of each Yukon First Nation;
• Self-government agreements;
• Implementation Plans for the Agreements.

The UFA has been approved by the CYI General Assembly. Yukon First Nation final agreements and self-government agreements have also been ratified by the Champagne and Aishihik, the Nacho Nyak Dun, Vuntut Gwitchin, Little Salmon/Carmacks, Selkirk and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nations as well as the Teslin Tlingit and the Ta'an Kwach'an Councils. The Yukon and federal governments have ratified all agreements.

Yukoners' Benefits:

• Certainty of ownership, and management of lands and resources over a large area of the Yukon;
• Self-government structures whereby the political aspirations of the beneficiaries represented by the eight Yukon First Nations will be realized;
• Indian people will have the resources to participate in, and benefit from, economic opportunities;
• Industry will be supported by the resolution of the land question and by the establishment of clear requirements for environmental protection and approval mechanisms.

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