The Yukon flag waves outside the Yukon Legislature. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Yukon First Nations are aiming to reshape Canada’s approach to Arctic defence with a new report that demands a stronger Indigenous role in national security.
The Yukon Assembly of First Nations and the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network have released a report aiming to elevate Indigenous leadership in a field long dominated by federal institutions.
The report, ‘Yukon First Nations Defence and Secutiy: Prioritizing Sovereignty, Prepardness, and Partnership’ was developed over three years and build on a conference in April that brought together over 100 leaders from Indigenous groups, government and military.
“This is not about consultation after the fact. It is about co-creation from the start,” said AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek in a statement. “Yukon First Nations are already leading in emergency preparedness, infrastructure, and economic development. This report calls on all partners to recognize and support that leadership.”
