As part of their ongoing commitment to improving collaboration on land use planning initiatives, the Government of Yukon and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have agreed to restart the Dawson Regional Land Use Planning process. The Commission will be re-established by the fall of 2018.
“Since we now have clarity from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding land use planning, we’re pleased to be moving forward and working with the Government of Yukon to implement this portion of our Final Agreement,” said Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph. “The Council looks forward to our Citizens being involved in creating a land use plan in our traditional territory.”
Yukoners interested in serving a three-year term on the Commission as a Yukon government representative may submit their applications to the Government of Yukon through the Boards and Committees Secretariat. The Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in will each nominate three people to be members of the six-person Commission.
“This government is committed to collaborating with First Nations governments on land use planning. This process is incredibly important in determining how we collectively manage the land, and ensure communities thrive,” said Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai. “The Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission is an important piece in that process and I encourage interested individuals and industry to participate to ensure their interests and concerns are taken into consideration.”
In late 2014, the Government of Yukon, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Vuntut Gwitchin Government mutually agreed to suspend the Dawson Land Use Planning process until the Peel Watershed court case was resolved.
The Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in are working together to establish terms of reference for the Commission.
Interested Yukoners can apply to represent the Government of Yukon on the Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission at this website and to represent the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in on the First Nation’s website.