Council of Yukon First Nations grand chief resigns

The Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Andy Carvill has resigned but is not speaking publicly about his reasons for stepping down.

The announcement came Monday at a special meeting in Whitehorse.

Created in 1973 to negotiate the Yukon's land claims, the council has seen declining membership over the past decade, as most of the territory's First Nations now have signed land-claim and self-government agreements.

Teslin Tlingit Council Chief Peter Johnston said losing the grand chief should not have much effect on the operations of the organization while the search goes on for a replacement.

"The functions will still happen at that level. When it comes to the political, you know I think that's currently on hold until we come to some resolution," said Johnston. "We have set a timeline of 30 days. Hopefully . . . we'll come to some decision within that."

In the meantime, Johnston says it'll be up to chiefs to work the phones to find an interim grand chief, until elections can be held at the organization's annual general assembly in July.

The organization is going through a restructuring and Johnston says this may be a good opportunity to get a new face in there with new ideas.