Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower ruled that Ottawa does not have a binding, parent-like responsibility to sit down and negotiate a land claim settlement with the Dena Council.
This, after Canada’s promise to look after the interests of Yukon First Nations 142 years ago. It’s not enforceable in law, Justice Gower ruled Jan. 31.
What we need here in this sort of situation is a First Nation judge that is not brainwashed by the white government. A judge that is trained, in their eyes, but knows the real meaning of being a First Nation and how First Nations are being treated.
Most of our history is made of lies and twisted deals the government made with First Nations. Who gave them permission to come up the Yukon River and make a road through our land? And in doing so, at the same time, claiming all this land and making it theirs? Did they negotiate with First Nations at that time? Is there a bill of sale for Qwanlin, not Whitehorse? If so, where is it?
People used to live here years ago, like elsewhere. It’s a place where people hunt and fish and meet with other First Nation people. All these parking meters and tickets given out should be going to the First Nations’ governments. Everything said from the beginning of the first entry to this continent and by the government again is all twisted and lies, just to have control of this land. All of this was planned ahead of time to dominate the First Nations.
Our leaders, not educated in their ways, were all bought out by alcohol and money under the table. They were just given the peas and not the cone.
If they can twist their words around in their language, I know we can in ours. We are the caretakers of this land, but how do we First Nation people extinguish so much lying, greediness, selfishness, filth and garbage that was brought into our lives and land?
Arthur Joe
Whitehorse