Champagne and Aishihik First Nations enact law governing membership

Yukon's Champagne and Aishihik First Nations government is aiming to clarify its process and criteria for citizenship with its new Enrolment Act.

"Over the last 20 years we've adopted numerous acts regarding fish and wildlife, traditional activities protections... but we've never really looked at what it means to be a Champagne Aishihik First Nation person and citizen," said Steve Smith, Chief of the First Nations.

"The Enrolment Act overall is, I think, one of the first real pieces of legislation that starts to really entrench self-government, for Champagne Aishihik people in particular."

The act seeks to clarify the parameters for citizenship by defining who is considered a Champagne Aishihik citizen and who may become a CAFN member in the future. The criteria for membership is simple.

"If you are Champagne Aishihik, if you have a descendancy to Champagne Aishihik via a patriarchal or matriarchal lineage ... you can qualify to be Champagne Aishihik," he said.

The long-awaited Enrolment Act aims to create a more inclusive process, with fewer set-backs for those applying for membership. Smith says the new legislation draws largely on feedback from the community.

"We did extensive consultations, both with the General Assembly and our elders in particular. It was very important for us to actually go to our elders.

"They felt that we had to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. And so, they felt that it was important for us to not be so strict as to who can pass on their lineage," Smith said.

Current members of the First Nation will not be affected by the new law in any way.

"We've compiled all the lists, all the previous lists... so no one will have to announce that they're Champagne Aishihik," he said.

The act will come into effect Feb. 14. Smith said there is no review scheduled for the new Enrolment Act in the near future.