The Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Yukon government have officially signed off on changes moving the First Nation one step closer to being able to register settlement land without losing aboriginal title.
An amendment to the Kwanlin Dun First Nation self-government agreement was signed off by the First Nation in December and just recently given the green light by the Yukon government.
Once it’s approved by the Government of Canada, this amendment will allow the Kwanlin Dun First Nation to register leases on settlement land in the Yukon land titles office.
The changes, the first of their kind in Canada, are meant to help the First Nation grow.
Once the land is registered, it’s much easier to apply for mortgages or other types of financing, because banks want the security of knowing that the property they invest in is part of an established registry.
Previously, Yukon First Nations could only register their land if they agreed to give up aboriginal title and render it fee simple, like other privately owned land.
The previous Yukon Party government made the necessary changes to the Land Titles Act that came into effect last year.
Even after the federal government OK’s the amendment to the self-government agreement the First Nation still needs to develop its own land-leasing rules.
There’s no word on when the Government of Canada is expected to sign off.
Contact Ashley Joannou at ashleyj@yukon-news.com