Our Journey

This is the

story of 

our journey

A summary of our journey

First Nations people have lived in the Yukon for thousands of years. This is the story of our journey towards the land claims and self-government agreements many have today.
Our journey begins here
First Nations people have lived in Yukon for thousands of years.
24,000 BP

First Nations people have lived in Yukon for thousands of years.

People migrated to North America across the Bering land bridge. There is archaeological evidence of people in the Blue Fish Caves near Old Crow from up to 24,000 years ago. Oral traditions and archaeological evidence document the ways of Indigenous ancestors on this land for thousands of years.
Skookum Jim discovers gold
1896

Skookum Jim discovers gold

"Skookum" Jim, a Tagish of the Dakhlawèdí clan and the Wolf moiety, found a nugget on Rabbit (Bonanza) Creek in August 1896 that began the Klondike Gold Rush and changed the history of the Yukon.
The Klondike Gold Rush
1897

The Klondike Gold Rush

The Klondike Gold Rush brought tens of thousands of gold seekers to the Yukon, creating social and cultural upheaval for the First Nations people.
Chief Jim Boss recognized the effect of settlers and petitioned the Government 

1900

Chief Jim Boss recognized the effect of settlers and petitioned the Government 


Chief Jim Boss of the Ta’an Kwäch’än laid the foundation for First Nations land claims almost 100 years before the first agreements were signed in the Yukon. In 1900 and 1902, Boss wrote to the Yukon Commissioner and the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs requesting compensation for his people.
The Yukon Native Brotherhood was formed
1968

The Yukon Native Brotherhood was formed

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great social change around the world. The Yukon Native Brotherhood was founded in the Yukon in 1968 when First Nations people throughout Canada were finding a common voice and working toward recognition of their rights.

First Nations leaders presented Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow
1973

First Nations leaders presented Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow

On February 14, 1973, Elijah Smith and Yukon First Nation leaders presented, Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, to then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. This ground-breaking document became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nation land claims.
Council of Yukon Indians was established to negotiate land claims
1973

Council of Yukon Indians was established to negotiate land claims

First Nations were unwavering in their vision that all Yukon First Nations people would benefit from a settlement. In 1973, the Yukon Native Brotherhood and the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians came together to form the Council for Yukon Indians to negotiate land claims.
Negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Council of Yukon Indians
1973-1993

Negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Council of Yukon Indians

Negotiating and settling these agreements involved decades of hard work, innovation and commitment by numerous leaders and visionaries. An earlier agreement was proposed and rejected by Yukon First Nations due to several concerns, including the absence of a self-government component.
The historic Umbrella Final Agreement is signed
1993

The historic Umbrella Final Agreement is signed

The UFA built on the principles introduced by Together Today for our Children Tomorrow. It was the framework for negotiating individual Yukon First Nation agreements. It defined the amount of land and financial compensation for each First Nation, and called for the creation of boards and committees to provide community input and recommendations to government.
Eleven First Nations negotiate and sign Final and Self-Government Agreements
1993-2005

Eleven First Nations negotiate and sign Final and Self-Government Agreements

These are modern treaties that define First Nations’ rights and address heritage, resources, wildlife, water, taxation, compensation, forestry and economic development. The Self-Government Agreements provide First Nations with the power to control their own affairs including law-making powers.