Website: www.kwanlindun.com
Head of Government/Organization: Chief Doris Bill
Description: Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) is one of the largest First Nations in Yukon. Sharing portions of our Traditional Territory with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, we are also one of the territory’s only two urban-based First Nations. The Yukon’s capital city of Whitehorse occupies the heart of our Traditional Territory, and expands beyond city limits. As one of the largest landowners in Whitehorse, our lands are a source for countless opportunities and prosperity for generations to come. We share universal goals with other governments, communities and individuals: good education for our children, meaningful work, an improved quality of life, health and healing for those in need and contributing to make our community a better place.
Treaty/Land Claim Agreement: Kwanlin Dün First Nation Final Agreement and Self Government Agreement
Signatories to the Agreement: Canada, Yukon and Kwanlin Dün Chief and Councillors
Key Dates: Kwanlin Dün First Nation Final Agreement and Self-Government Agreement signed onFebruary 19th, 2005 with an Effective Date of April 1, 2005.
Brief description of the region covered by claim: Kwanlin Dün has a diverse population. About 75 percent of Yukon’s population lives within KDFN’s Traditional Territory.
The Final and Self-Government Agreements KDFN has negotiated with the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon contains many provisions that reflect the First Nation’s unique circumstances.
Kwanlin Dün’s land claim ensures our key heritage sites are protected. The Final Agreement also provides funding for Kwanlin Dün to share our history and cultural heritage with the community and visitors from around the world.
Also, special arrangements had to be made as KDFN has a long history and strong association with the Yukon River and Whitehorse waterfront
Total Land Area: Our Settlement Lands total 1,042.79 square kilometres (402.65 square miles). This is made up of many parcels including 47 parcels of Rural Settlement Lands outside the City of Whitehorse boundaries and 121 smaller parcels of Site Specific Lands, distributed throughout the Traditional Territory. Our negotiation of 34.85 square kilometres of Community Lands within and near the boundaries of the City of Whitehorse makes us the largest land owner in Whitehorse.
# of Beneficiaries: Kwanlin Dün First Nation encompasses approximately 1,035 members including 700 beneficiaries.
First Nations within the Land Claims Area: To some extent, all First Nation Traditional Territories in Yukon overlap with neighbouring First Nations. In the Southern Lakes area this overlap is extensive.
Kwanlin Dün has been working on resolving issues related to overlapping claims with other Yukon First Nations whose Traditional Territories overlap with that of Kwanlin Dün including: Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
Aboriginal Languages Spoken: Although Kwanlin Dün First Nation includes people from a number of different linguistic groups, traditionally Southern Tutchone and Tagish are spoken.