TOGETHER TODAY FOR OUR CHILDREN TOMORROW

"The only way we feel we can have a future is to settle our land claim ... that will return to us our lost pride, self-respect and economic independence. We are not here looking for a handout. We are here with a plan..."
Elijah Smith, Chief of the Yukon Native Brotherhood

Together Today for our Children Tomorrow was a ground-breaking document that became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nation land claims.

With Together Today For Our Children Tomorrow, the Yukon Native Brotherhood and First Nation leaders were seeking a settlement that was fair both for the Yukon First Nations and Canada.

Elijah Smith is well-known in Yukon for his legacy as a grandfather of the land claim and self-government movement. Smith was a respected leader who was instrumental in forming the Yukon Native Brotherhood, the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians and the Council of Yukon Indians which went on to lead land claim negotiations working with all Yukon First Nations.

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The Yukon Native Brotherhood (YNB) was founded in 1968 when First Nations were working toward recognition of their rights.
By 1973, the YNB had strong grassroots support to secure a land claims settlement for Yukon First Nations. Read More →

The Yukon First Nation delegation in front of the Parliament Buildings after presenting "Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow" to Prime Minister Trudeau.

 

Left to right, front to back: Peter Lucas; Judy Gingell; Dan Johnson; Johnny Smith; Ray Jackson; Irene Smith; Elijah Smith; Dave Joe; Percy Henry; George Billy; Sam Johnston; Willie Joe; Roy Sam; Jimmy Enoch; Charlie Abel; Reggie Vance; Clifford McLeod; Dixon Lutz; Danny Joe. Photo credit: Yukon Archives. Judy Gingell collection, 98/74, 1

On February 14, 1973 the Yukon Native Brotherhood, led by Elijah Smith, along with a delegation of Yukon First Nation leaders, presented Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, a ground-breaking document, to then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

This ground-breaking document was developed by the Yukon Native Brotherhood in close consultation with Yukon First Nation Elders and community members. It laid out the past and present state of Yukon First Nations. It also made recommendations for a better future, including land and cash settlements.
 
Prime Minister Trudeau accepted the statement on behalf of the Government of Canada. Together Today for our Children Tomorrow became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nation land claims.

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“There’s all the twelve chiefs from the Yukon, when that document was presented, Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow... on February 14. We laughed about it after a while – we gave Trudeau a nice Valentine’s present.”

Sam Johnston, TTC Elder, former Chief and former Member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. 

Listen to the podcast →

Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 

In 1973, Yukon First Nation leaders presented Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow to the Prime Minister Pierre of Canada. This document became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nation land claims.

“There’s all the twelve chiefs from the Yukon, when that document was presented, Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow... on February 14. We laughed about it after a while – we gave Trudeau a nice Valentine’s present.”

Sam Johnston, TTC Elder, former Chief and former Member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. 

Listen to the podcast →

Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 

In 1973, Yukon First Nation leaders presented Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow to the Prime Minister Pierre of Canada. This document became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nation land claims.

With 11 ground-breaking land claim and self-government agreements, the Yukon is a leader across Canada and around the world

Settling these agreements involved decades of hard work, innovation and commitment by leaders and visionaries and are mapping the way to a better future for all Yukoners.

Learn more about the journey that brought us to where we are and continues today.

OUR JOURNEY