Council of Yukon First Nations, AFN to combine leadership roles into 1
Starting in October, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will no longer have a Yukon regional chief who's independent of CYFN. That person's duties and responsibilities will be taken up by the next CYFN grand chief.
The two organizations began discussing the idea since last year and both passed resolutions last month to make it happen.
The goal, according to a joint news release on Wednesday, is to "streamline governance, reduce duplication and strengthen national and political advocacy grounded in the shared priorities of all 14 Yukon First Nations."
Currently, Yukon is represented at the AFN — an Ottawa-based national advocacy group — by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, who has served in that role since 2018.
CYFN is a non-profit political organization based in the territory that represents and advocates for Yukon First Nations, with the grand chief serving as the main political spokesperson. Peter Johnston has held that role since 2016 and has said he won't be running for another term.
Under the new model, the CYFN grand chief will now represent Yukon First Nations at AFN executive meetings. However, that person "will not lead an AFN portfolio or sit on the AFN corporate board without a direct mandate from Yukon First Nations," reads Wednesday's news release.
"This approach reflects a made-in-Yukon solution — directed by all 14 Chiefs — that aligns with regional governance realities while maintaining a strategic national presence."
The next grand chief of CYFN will be elected this month. They would take on the new AFN-related responsibilities as of Oct. 1.
In a written statement, Johnston called the change "a significant step forward in unifying our effort and advancing the interests of all Yukon First Nations."
Adamek also touted the decision as a way to ensure Yukon First Nations have a stronger voice through "co-ordinated advocacy."
"This is about amplifying the collective voices of all Yukon First Nations in a way that reflects who we are: united, visionary and rooted in our values," she said.
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