Modern Treaty representatives, academics at College for national implementation research symposium

WHITEHORSE – Academics, and Inuit and First Nation modern treaty representatives from across Canada will be in Whitehorse this week to discuss the common issues and challenges they face in the implementation of modern treaties.

Building a Modern Treaty Research Agenda is a two-day workshop hosted by Yukon College and the Ottawa-based Land Claims Agreements Coalition. It takes place at the College Thursday February 7 and Friday February 8. The workshop is funded by Yukon Economic Development and the Vuntut Gwichin Government.

Researchers from the Universities of Cornell, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Cape Breton, Toronto, Carleton, Minnesota, and Manitoba will be in attendance. Yukon Chiefs, the Council of Yukon First Nations and representatives of the Land Claims Agreements Coalition will participate in a series of round table discussions with these academics.

The two main objectives of the workshop are to develop a focused research agenda on modern treaty implementation, and to promote modern treaty implementation as a unique academic discipline.

Ranj Pillai at Yukon College is coordinating the event.

“With 11 self-governing First Nations, Yukon possesses the greatest concentration of modern treaty implementation expertise in North America,” said Pillai.

“What is unique about this event is that academics and researchers are here to listen and learn from that expertise. Yukon First Nations governments will be working with other modern treaty organizations from across Canada to shape this emerging research agenda for years to come.”

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Additional Info:

Visiting academics include:

• Ken Coates, co-leader of the Aboriginal Canada and the Natural Resource Economy project at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• Paul Nadasdy, Associate Professor Anthropology, Cornell University
• David Alderson, Program Development Scientist, University of Cape Breton

There will be a public reception to welcome delegates to the Yukon on Thursday evening at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Land Claims Agreements Coalition
Formed in 2003, the Coalition has membership from all modern treaty organizations in Canada, including the Council of Yukon First Nations, Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Vuntut Gwichin First Nation. Collectively our treaties affect nearly half of Canada’s land, waters and resources. Our mandate is to ensure that comprehensive land claims agreements and associated self-government agreements are respected, honoured and fully implemented in order to achieve their objectives.
www.landclaimscoalition.ca

For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Patti Black
Land Claims Agreements Coalition
488 Gladstone Ave
Ottawa ON, K1R 5N8
613-376-3313
black@consilium.ca