Reconciliation means different things to different people, and Indigenous peoples’ daily realities vary significantly across Canada. Despite all the rhetoric from Ottawa, unfortunately we have seen very little meaningful action from Ottawa for far too long.
Little more than speaking points have emanated from Ottawa these past six years, and I do not believe that the vast majority of United Nations member states are in any position to lecture Canadians and Yukoners on the merits of modern Indigenous policy. While the rest of the country debates the legal ramifications of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in the Canadian context, Yukoners are assured by the vision of our ancestors; the previous generations of Yukon First Nations leaders who were trail-blazers in the field of self-determination and rights and title over their lands and waters.
I believe the Yukon is fortunate to be not only leading the country, but the entire world, with our modern-day, comprehensive Yukon First Nations Final and Self-Government Agreements. A great number of the principles in UNDRIP, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action are addressed in the Umbrella Final Agreement and the Yukon First Nations Final and Self-government Agreements; a further testament to the drafters’ vision. Yet there is still much work left to do.
I am committed to working with Yukon First Nations, in conjunction with all levels of government, to identify priorities and implement our Agreements.
I believe that in order to be truly prepared for our future, we need to learn from our past. That is why I fully support a full and transparent investigation into our former residential school sites. As a parent myself, I cannot fathom the anguish these families have suffered; firstly having their children taken away by Canada and then, never knowing the fate of their communities’ most precious legacy.
All records must be examined, surviving staff must be interviewed, and every reasonable effort must be made to answer the terrible questions far too many families have needlessly and excruciatingly pondered for far too long. I also support the repatriation of remains wherever possible, to provide the fallen with the respect they deserve, and their families with the closure they so seek.
On our path forward together, I am personally interested in economic reconciliation and pursuing initiatives that ensure Yukon First Nations peoples can provide for their families, communities and territory without depending on Yukon or Canada. I believe that true self-determination can only come with self-reliance. This commitment is reflected in my main policy priorities including addressing our territory’s housing shortage together, developing clean power projects, and training Yukoners to fill the skilled jobs of our future. This commitment also permeates my other interests, such as establishing a strong forestry industry in the territory and continuing to build upon our successful mineral exploration and development industry.
I am also fully committed to working with our territory’s three non-settled First Nations to pursue agreements with the federal government – as they so choose to provide economic opportunity, self-determination and certainty for their citizens and as a result, all Yukoners. Early engagement, true partnerships and mutual respect are essential to how the Yukon’s Member of Parliament should represent Yukoners and to ensuring our territory’s collective success. Success, which must include all Yukoners from every community and demographic.