Assembly of First Nations Supports Yukon First Nations in Rejecting
Territorial Government's Development Plans for Peel Watershed

WHITEHORSE, YK, Sept. 16 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn-A-in-chut Atleo, AFN Yukon Regional Chief Eric Morris and the Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Ruth Massie today expressed unequivocal support for First Nations in the Yukon who are seeking to prevent development along the Peel watershed.

"We strongly urge Yukon Government officials to reject the 2009 plan drafted by the Peel Watershed Planning Commission to have the Peel watershed developed for mineral staking and industrial development," National Chief Atleo stated. "Local First Nations peoples have used the Peel watershed and its associated resources since time immemorial, it is an important source of drinking water for local First Nation communities and it is a major fishery in the Yukon.  We encourage the territorial government to work with First Nations to jointly manage all Yukon watersheds and we invite the citizens of the Yukon and the North to join us in this request."

This statement of support by the National Chief and Yukon First Nations leadership comes after requests by local First Nations Chiefs for the Yukon Government to "respect the sensitivity of this place [and] recognize our ongoing aboriginal rights."

"We stand behind the Tr'ondek Hwech'in and Na Cho Nyak Dun First Nations as they seek to protect the integrity of the invaluable Peel watershed," AFN Regional Chief Morris said.

First Nations leaders have informed the Yukon Government that local First Nations are not opposed to development outside of the Peel watershed. Local First Nations, however, depend on the Peel watershed for sustenance and the well-being of their traditional culture. A moratorium on development in the region would allow First Nations to maintain their lifestyle based on a close connection to the land and environment.

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Ruth Massie stated: "We call on Premier Fentie to work with us and to respect our agreements by completing the land use process in a good way."

An independent poll commissioned by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Yukon Chapter) indicates that 91% of the Yukon population agree that development should not occur in the Peel watershed. The Yukon Government is currently in its last phase of public consultations on the project.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information:

Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
Cell: 613-292-0857 or [email protected]