Meaningful partnerships needed in mining, Yukon First Nations leaders say at 2025 AME Roundup

The annual AME Roundup mining and exploration conference in Vancouver attracts companies, investors, governments and vendors from across western Canada, Alaska and beyond, including hundreds of people from the Yukon.

CBC News spoke with some of the Yukon First Nation leaders who were in attendance this year about why they were at the conference and the conversations, topics and issues at the top of their minds. 

First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and Tr'ondëk Hwechin

In a joint interview, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) Chief Dawna Hope and Tr'ondëk Hwechin Hähkè Darren Taylor emphasized that mining and exploration need to be done better, and in true partnership with local First Nations. 

"We ultimately know that we need mining — we have cars, computers," Hope said. 

"However, we should respect those resources for their value and not just for a few to make millions upon millions and then walk away, leaving taxpayers with the cleanup bill and a toxic legacy for me to pass on to my generations." 

Taylor urged the Yukon and federal governments to get on with land use plans and the new minerals legislation, which, when in place, would establish clear standards and rules for everyone to follow. 

"That creates the certainty, it touches on reconciliation, it provides a comfort level to industry," he said. "I mean, let's be honest, shareholders and investors are getting impatient, so let's get this work done or they're just going to go to other jurisdictions." 

Taylor added that First Nations aren't just "stakeholders," but governments that deserve the same level of deference and respect as others, and a meaningful say in what happens to their land and people.

Hope, during the conference, gave a presentation on the mining policy her First Nation adopted last year — coincidentally, on the same day as the Eagle Gold heap leach failure.

Among other things, the policy states that companies interested in doing work on FNNND traditional territory must submit an application to the First Nation for assessment. It also states the First Nation will only consider a project if the proponent provides written agreement that work will only proceed if the First Nations consents to it. 

"We don't want to stop mining," Hope said.

"For the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, we just want to strive for healthy, inclusive communities and we know we can get there with partnerships while upholding our final agreements in the spirit and intent that they were approved and signed for Yukoners on a whole." 

Both Hope and Taylor said their meetings with industry at Roundup had been positive.

Ross River Dena Council

Representatives from the Ross River Dena Council (RRDC) were at Roundup to meet with and educate companies about its Tu-Lidlini Assessment Process (TAP). 

Similar to FNNND's policy, TAP requires companies interested in working in RRDC's traditional territory to submit project applications directly to the First Nation. The First Nation will then evaluate the project's potential impacts on things like the land, culture and wildlife and, with guidance from elders and the community, allow the project to proceed or reject it.

RRDC councillor Roberta Dick said other assessment approaches don't always adequately address Kaska concerns or truly take into account community consent, while TAP does. 

"It's basically designed to fill in the gaps," Dick said, adding that companies have been "mindful and respectful" and filling in applications.

The First Nations' assessments are not officially required under the Yukon government's own project assessment and approval framework. 

Teslin Tlingit Council

Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC) Chief Eric Morris, meanwhile, said he was trying to raise the profile of his First Nation in British Columbia. 

While TTC is headquartered in the Yukon, its traditional territory extends into the northern part of the province — an area that Morris said had attracted growing interest in its mineral potential. While that presents opportunity, Morris said the First Nation would like to be involved in conversations about any staking or development happening in the area. 

"It would be nice for [people] to come into our office, let us know who they are, what their intentions are, you know, share with us a bit of their history of where they're coming from, some of their experiences working with other First Nations," he said. 

"All of that lends to looking at building a meaningful relationship, which we're all about."