Cultural centre not a Conservative accomplishment: Kwanlin Dün chief

The chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Yukon is not amused, saying says she "has a problem" with Conservative candidate Ryan Leef, claiming the construction of the First Nation's cultural centre as an accomplishment while he was MP. 

Leef has repeatedly stated — in debates, and on Facebook — that the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has invested in cultural centres and infrastructure since assuming office a decade ago.

Last week, Leef posted a video to Facebook touting investment in cultural centres in the territory while standing in front of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, in Whitehorse.

However, chief Doris Bill says the Kwanlin Dün cultural centre is not a Harper — or Leef — accomplishment.

"What they're not telling people is that the cultural centre was negotiated. It's a special provision in our self-government agreement," says Bill. "I have a problem with them using the cultural centre as a promotion.

"It doesn't matter which government is in power, they have a legal obligation to negotiate with our First Nation on the cultural centre."

The grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations agrees.

Ruth Massie says the final agreements took years to negotiate, and adds that if anyone deserves credit, it is former Liberal MP Larry Bagnell.

"At the time, our MP was a Liberal — and that was Larry" says Massie.

Both Bill and Massie say the Kwanlin Dün centre would have been built, regardless of which party was in power in Ottawa at the time of its opening in 2012.

CBC asked Leef to respond to Bill's and Massie's comments, but he declined.