Yukon First Nations discuss council's future

Yukon chiefs are deliberating over the future of the Council of Yukon First Nations, which has served as the territory's central aboriginal organization for nearly four decades.

Council members are meeting this week in Whitehorse to review a task force report detailing five options for revamping the organization.

The Council of Yukon First Nations was formed in 1973, originally to negotiate Yukon land claims.

But most of the territory's First Nations have negotiated land-claim and self-government agreements, now taking on responsibilities that were once handled by the central council.

Task force chairman Lawrence Joe said Monday that members have a number of key areas to consider, including how to select a grand chief.

"What is the role and powers of the executive, and those of the administration? What is the membership? Who are the members? Who can be a member? Should amendments be made to the existing constitution?" Joe told delegates.

"And then, what is the role of the central organization: governmental, political advocacy or administrative?"

Task force member Daryn Leas said the panel tried to be inclusive in their deliberations.

"The way it's structured, the way it's intended, is an agreement for First Nation governments to commit to work together," Leas said.

A total of 14 First Nations currently belong to the council, including some aboriginal communities from northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.

Some of the member First Nations are still negotiating land claims. Assembly delegates will have two days to decide how the Council of Yukon First Nations will fit into the current political landscape.