Potlatch honours agreement

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Thirty years of progress was celebrated at the Rotary Peace Park in Whitehorse this year. Hosted by the Gathering of Traditions Potlatch Society, hundreds of visitors marked the anniversary of an historic meeting in Ottawa in 1973 that resulted in the first comprehensive land-claim negotiations in Canadian history. The celebration was held on June 21, National Aboriginal Day.

"As one of the delegates who went to Ottawa with Chief Elijah Smith and other Yukon First Nations leaders in 1973, I know that we have achieved politically great milestones that we must celebrate together," stated Judy Gingell, society director.

In February 1973, representatives of Yukon's First Nations met in Ottawa with then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau. A document entitled Together Today for our Children Tomorrow-A Statement of Grievances and an Approach to Settlement by the Yukon Indian People was presented to him. It outlined land claim proposals that were advanced as fair and just to both Aboriginal Yukoners and their white brothers.

Smith, the first chairman of the Council of Yukon Indians and the first president of the Yukon Native Brotherhood, wanted to negotiate rights with Ottawa. It was the first time that a group of Canadian people of Native ancestry had prepared and presented such a document.

On National Aboriginal Day, First Nations from all over the Yukon were saluted for their achievements through the potlatch. Storytellers, dancers and singers performed, and an arts and crafts show was ongoing. A traditional village was set up, complete with Elders who explained the tools and methods of living in not-so-ancient times.

In the years since the land claim document was presented, self-governance and land claims have been settled, giving back authority to Yukon First Nations.

"It rebuilds our government system, using our traditional knowledge and teachings. We can now take full responsibility for our own destination," Gingell said.

Gingell remembers the day the document was presented. "It was pretty nerve-wracking. We knew in advance that the meeting wouldn't have been set up if there wasn't a good chance of receiving a positive outcome, yet the suspense was obvious.

"Trudeau said it was time to settle the outstanding agreements with the First Nations in the Yukon Territory. He was very receptive and understanding."

Gingell was also present 20 years later when the legislation passed. "On that day, I found I was totally exhausted-too tired to celebrate. But what a satisfying feeling it was. I could hardly believe it had finally happened."