DEFINITION:

The Umbrella Final Agreement is a framework within which each of the 14 Yukon First Nations will conclude a final claim settlement agreement. All UFA provisions are a part of each First Nation final agreement.

POPULATION:

Approximately 8,000 Yukon Indians.

FIRST NATIONS:

Carcross/Tagish; Champagne and Aishihik; Dawson; Kluane; Kwanlin Dun; Liard; Little Salmon/Carmacks; Nacho Nyak Dun; Ross River Dena; Selkirk; Ta'an Kwach'an Council; Teslin Tlingit Council; Vuntut Gwitchin; White River.

Highlights of the Umbrella Final Agreement

Land Title

A total of 41,439 square kilometres (16,000 square miles) of land including Category A land with surface and sub-surface rights and Category B land with surface rights only, but including rights to material such as sand and gravel.

Economy

• $242.6 million in cash compensation (1989 dollars) to be divided among the 14 First Nations and paid over 15 years, beginning after each final agreement is reached.
• Yukon First Nations will receive full rental revenues from surface leases and royalties from the development of non-renewable resources.
• Full ownership of mines and minerals on lands will enable Yukon First Nations to develop these resources.

Wildlife

Rights to harvest wildlife for subsistence purposes throughout traditional territory; preferential harvesting of some species; exclusive harvesting on Category A land; and approximately 70 per cent of the traplines allocated in traditional territory. Under the direction of the Fish and Wildlife Management Board, a $3 million joint government-Yukon First Nation trust will be established to restore and enhance wildlife populations and habitat in the Yukon.

Land and Resource Management

Guaranteed at least one third, and as much as two thirds, representation on land use planning bodies; one third membership on Yukon Water Board and 50 per cent representation on Development Assessment Board, Surface Rights Board, Territorial Fish and Wildlife Management Board and the Renewable Resources Council.

Heritage

Provisions promoting and preserving the culture and heritage of Yukon Indians. Provisions include ownership of Yukon Indian ethnographic resources, and guaranteed membership on heritage resources and geographical place names boards.

Vuntut National Park and Yukon Special Management Areas

The government of Canada, the Yukon Territorial Government and the Yukon First Nations have agreed to create a new national park, a special management area and a national wildlife area in the Yukon. These are provided for under the terms of the Yukon First Nation Final Agreements signed on May 29, 1993.

The new park, called Vuntut, is the third national park to be announced under Canada's Green Plan and brings the total of national parks and parks reserves across Canada to 36.

Vuntut National Park and the Old Crow Flats special management area will protect key ecological features of the region including: wetlands, pediments, wildlife and cultural resources.

The first National Wildlife Area in the Yukon will be established at Nisutlin River Delta under the Teslin Tlingit Council Final Agreement. Environment Canada will co-manage this waterfowl habitat with the Yukon government and the Teslin Tlingit First Nation. This land is a vital feeding, staging and nesting area for migratory birds and provides important habitat for other species, most notably moose.

Vuntut National Park will cover approximately 4,400 square kilometres of Old Crow Flats. A special management area, encompassing both the new park and the remainder of the flats, will also be established. Much of this special management area will be owned by the Vuntut Gwitchin people.

Old Crow Flats is an unusual landform, a vast plain of over 2000 shallow lakes and ponds. The wetlands of Old Crow Flats are highly productive for such a northerly latitude and are the Yukon's most important waterfowl habitat. The Ramsar Convention recognizes the area as wetlands and waterfowl habitat of international importance.

Old Crow Flats and surrounding pediments provide important fall, winter and spring habitat for one of the world's largest remaining herds of porcupine caribou. The range of the herd extends throughout northern Yukon and into Alaska. Grizzly bear, moose, muskrat, and several species of fish are also found on the flats.

Old Crow Flats is one of Canada's most important sources of vertebrate fossils. A wealth of fossil bones have been found in over 56 sites within the park area. Artifacts provide evidence of very early human habitation and ancient animal species such as giant beavers and mammoths.

The Vuntut Gwitchin people will maintain harvesting rights within the park and throughout the flats. They will have a key role in managing wildlife and heritage resources through the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Council and Renewable Resources Council.

As part of the land claim settlement legislation that will be tabled in Parliament soon, the National Parks Act will be formally amended to establish Vuntut National Park. At the same time, the reserve status of part of Kluane National Park Reserve will be changed to make it a full national park, as provided for in the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation Final Agreement.

In addition to Vuntut National park, agreements have been reached in 1992 to establish Aulavik National Park on Banks Island and to set aside land to create a national park on northern Baffin and Bylot islands.

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