Members of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Yukon Government gathered to officially open the new Kashgek building.
WHITHEORSE – Members of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Yukon Government gathered to officially open the new Kashgek building.
Construction started on the Kashgek building in 2020, on the 15th anniversary of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation’s self-governance. Then on October 14, 2022, the building opened its doors to the community. Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) Chief Doris Bill; Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; Yukon Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn; and members of Johnnie Smith’s family were all in attendance for the ceremony.
The building’s name stands for Johnnie Smith who served as the KDFN chief for 3 terms, from 1969 to 1988 and a part of the Yukon Chief delegation that presented the historic Together Today for our Children Tomorrow to then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The move laid the framework for the Yukon’s Final and Self-government agreements.
The Kashgek building was funded through a 19.3 million dollar investment from the Government of Canada, a 6.4 million dollar investment from the Yukon Government and a 3.2 million dollar investment from the KDFN.
Yukon MP Brendan Hanley helped describe the services the building offers.
“Today is really about celebrating the community’s vision and a vision that has come to life a vision for a space to reflect the land, the culture and the people of common done First Nation. And this community hub is (a) green energy efficient building, for gatherings for community meetings for ceremonies, and it offers of course many valuable services to citizens.”
Chief of KDFN Doris Bill says the building will support her nation moving forward in a good way.
“We built a space for the council to meet for staff to provide expanding programs and services to citizens and beneficiaries. And for us to honour our culture. The building was community designed by and for our people.”
