Vuntut Gwitchin citizen calls proposal to merge electoral ridings in Old Crow and Dawson City 'an insult'

Although people who live in the Yukon consider themselves Yukoners, it doesn't mean everyone who lives in the territory is the same.

That's the point many people have tried to make when it comes to recent proposed changes to the territory's electoral boundaries.

In May, the Yukon Electoral District Boundaries Commission released its 2024 interim report, which proposes that the territory increase the number of ridings in Whitehorse from 11 to 13, due to the city's growing population, while merging rural ridings from eight down to six. 

One of the proposed changes, the merging of Old Crow's Vuntut Gwitchin riding and Dawson City's Klondike riding, has been the most controversial.

Paul Josie lives, and operates a wilderness tourism business, in Old Crow.

He said when he first heard the commission's proposal to have one MLA represent both communities he said he was taken back.

"I feel like it's an insult to Old Crow riding and our people to even present," Josie said. " We have a long history of strong speakers that come from Old Crow and talk on behalf of Old Crow. All the people we've had ... have spoken in the [Legislative Assembly] very powerfully on Old Crow's position."

Josie said the Vuntut Gwitchin's traditional territory spans over 55,000 kilometers. He said someone who represents Old Crow needs to not only know the land, but have a connection to it. 

"There's historical areas," Josie explained. "There's harvest areas that we know about, and that we have a strong connection to. Our say in these areas are very important."

Josie said having someone from the community represent them in the Legislative Assembly is similar to a badge of honour. It provides a sense of pride to the elected official, but also the entire community.

Josie said if the merge happens, it would change everything.

"It would be devastating in regards to just how on the back burner and in the shadows they put Old Crow in," Josie said. "As already an isolated community in the Yukon, Indigenous majority. That we're just put on the side. Basically just saying our voice isn't important. "

'We're doing the best we can'

The Yukon Electoral District Boundaries Commission has held 17 public hearings so far. Fifteen of those were in-person meetings, and two held virtually.

Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan chairs the commission. She said despite the number of people attending the meetings not being "huge," she said there's been no shortage of discussions around the proposed changes.

"Some people are in support of our interim report proposal," Duncan said. "Some people like some of it but don't like other parts of it. We had a full range of views."

Duncan said the final public hearing will be held virtually on August 13.

She said afterwards, the commission will take some time to review all of the feedback gathered over the past few months. The reason for this, Duncan said is to discuss everything that the commission heard to determine what will be recommended in its final report.

"We will release, at least the changes, if any, between the interim and the final report for people to comment," she said. "And then the final report will be delivered to the Speaker on October 9."

Duncan said for the most part the conversations between the commission and the public have been respectful. 

She said there is still a lot more work and discussions that have to happen between now and the final report but she suspects not everyone is going to be happy with the final decision.

"We're doing the best we can to listen and incorporate the concerns," Duncan said. " But we do have those perimeters that are legal and constitutional in nature that we have to consider, and then ultimately it will be up to the legislators to decide."