Council Connect

Safe water continues to be a high priority for the community of Pelly Crossing. We received updates and attended to contracts related to the upgrade and expansion of piped water to the Jon Ra Subdivision.

Under the direction of General Assembly Resolution 2023-#7 Opioid Emergency, Council started the process to remove a non-citizen, who was suspected of conducting illegal activity, from Settlement Land. The matter was referred to the Yukon Supreme Court and the individual was banned from Selkirk First Nation Settlement Lands for 18 months. This has set a precedent for the type of action Selkirk First Nation will take to protect its people and community.

Opioid Crisis

Yukon has reported an opioid crisis, including the community of Pelly Crossing. Some communities have declared a state of emergency and in March 2023, the SFN General Assembly passed a resolution relating to the opioid crisis in our community. It is going to take the community as a whole to address this. Council will be sending letters out to the community seeking their assistance and putting occupants of Selkirk homes on notice that illegal activity by Citizens or guests will not be tolerated and will lead to eviction. In the 2023/24 budget, Council set aside dollars to hire counselors and psychiatric services. The administration is now recruiting these services.

A General Assembly resolution was passed in 2022 calling for the appointment of a Wellness Committee of Citizens to work with and provide policy guidance, including evaluating any SFN Department that is providing programs and services that are intended to improve the lives of Citizens. A Terms of Reference for this committee is currently in first draft and recruitment for this committee will commence shortly after the TOR is finalized. Council looks forward to the assistance this committee will provide.

In May 2023, Minto Metals announced the closure of the Minto mine. Council, Mineral Resources Director and Legal Counsel immediately assembled to ensure that first, the environmental integrity of the site was being maintained. This required many meetings with the Yukon Government by the Mineral Resources Director and Legal Counsel. Minto Metals then went into receivership and Pricewaterhouse Coopers was appointed by the Court as the receiver. Throughout the whole process, Selkirk has been closely monitoring and engaging where necessary such as ensuring the receiver is granted permission to access settlement land for the purpose of this sale, that Yukon Government is granted access to settlement land for the purpose of care and maintenance, that environmental monitoring is continuing with Yukon Government, etc.
A creditor, who Minto Metals owed money, filed a petition to the BC Court asking for access to the concentrate as payment for what they were owed. Council immediately retained legal counsel and gave direction to file a petition to the BC Court objecting to the removal of concentrate before Selkirk was paid royalties owed on that concentrate. The BC Court ruled that Selkirk is owed the royalties and payment was received.
Minto Metals is currently going through a sale process. An opportunity arose with one of the interested parties for Selkirk to join in their bid. After much deliberation, Council determined that strategically it was best for Selkirk to position itself in a more meaningful way through joint ownership with a position on the board of directors. Council reported this at a community meeting and now waits to hear if the bid will be approved by the receiver.

Casino Mine requested a meeting with the new Council to provide an update on the project. The Casino project is currently under review by the Yukon Panel. Council retained a technical advisor to assist us through the Yukon Panel review process. This is the first project that has been referred to the Yukon Panel, due to the magnitude of the project.

Members of Council, Mining Department Staff and members of SFN’s mining technical team participated in a tour of the Faro Mine site. We continue to monitor the project with a focus on the environmental remediation processes currently in place.

Members of Council, Mining Department Staff and members of SFN’s mining technical team participated in a tour of the Faro Mine site. We continue to monitor the project with a focus on the environmental remediation processes currently in place.

Along with the Finance Committee and Selkirk’s Investment Advisors, Council attended quarterly meetings for the Investment Managers to report on how our investments have been doing. The quarterly meetings are a way to maintain proper oversight of our investments on a frequent and timely basis. Currently, the managers are taking a cautious approach due to the current market condition.

Council sits as Shareholders of the Selkirk Development Corporation and companies. Quarterly meetings are held to receive progress reports on the development and progress of SDC’s various business adventures, as well as presenting any future adventures. Council has attended two quarterly meetings thus far. Discussions focus on new business opportunities now that Minto Mine has closed and that revenue source has stopped.

This year marked Selkirk Development Corporation’s 30th Anniversary. We were happy to attend their celebration in Pelly Crossing with a presentation, dinner, and entertainment. Congratulations SDC!

Selkirk First Nation Council met with Premier Pillai and discussed ongoing matters with Highways, Nurse Station, the school, the economy, Casino Mine, Minto Mine, and Faro Mine.
Council met with Minister Nils Clarke and discussed the First Nation Procurement Policy, YG’s Five-year capital plan, Disaster preparedness, Climate adaptation, and energy efficiencies. We made inquiries on the Pelly Crossing Aerodrome improvements, specifically whether there will be runway lights installed to allow year-round medivacs and landings. We also discussed the McCabe Bridge upgrades as YG is considering a change to the corner at McCabe creek which would intrude onto settlement lands. Other topics of discussion included community recreation trails, fire break or fire smarting projects as an all-government priority, and discussed green power initiatives. Minister Clarke also discussed with us YG’s desire to have a discussion with Yukon First Nations around feasibility studies with the goal of increasing Salmon numbers

Chief Nelson, Councillor Cody Sims along with Governance staff attended two Yukon Forums. Topics discussed by Yukon Government and Yukon First Nations included, Yukon Residential schools and missing children project, substance use health emergency and Putting People First, opioid crisis and substance use issues, emergency preparedness, wildland fire and resiliency, successor legislation, the wetland policy, introduction into YG’s 125 medal, and Intergovernmental Forum and Yukon Days (forums to engage with the Government of Canada).

Community Meeting – Department Updates August 24th and continued on September 20th.

Council held two community meetings to allow all departments to provide updates.

Members of Council attended CYFN Leadership meetings and the Annual General Assembly. Topics discussed: Updates from Chiefs Committees, Yukon Government’s new Health Authority and the need to ensure healthy equity and quality services, Yukon Residential School and Missing Children ground penetrating research project, Substance Use Emergency, new Mineral Legislation, Lands Legislation, Fisheries, Energy, UFA Implementation, Amendment to YESSA regarding exemptions for renewals and amendments, Regional Income Assistance – the need to find a new organization to deliver the program in Whitehorse, CHON FM 40th anniversary, Family Preservation Wellness Centre (Women’s Shelter).

Council would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Ed Tristan Newsome (see his bio in the following section).

Councillor Ashley Edzerza and Youth Councillor Keyshawn Sawyer attended the National Gathering of Survivors. Presentations included: Honouring Indian Residential School Survivors through Film: Insights from Director Stephen Campanelli; Seven Sacred ways of Healing Trauma through Mind, Body and Spirit; Breaking the Traumatic Bond of Colonial Mindset; The Turtle Island Project Experiential Exercise; Try Differently Rather than Try Harder; Embracing Your Dark Side: An Introduction to the Shadow and other Parts of Self; Inside the Storm of Trauma to Hope and Reclaiming the Self; The Drug Crisis That Won’t Go Away!; Compassion, fatigue with a focus on burn out; Dr. Gabor Mate – Book Signing; Resilience and Reclamation: Inuit History and Identity in a Changing Colonial World; Community Resurgence: Empowering Residential School Survivors through Mutual Support and Indigenous Wisdom; Breaking the Traumatic Bond of Colonial Mindset; Reclaiming Healthy Sexualities; Thriving in a Colonial World: Navigating Life with Traditional Teaching and Culture; Embracing Your Dark Side: An Introduction to the Shadow and other Parts of Self; Indigenous Liberation Through the Revival of Kinship; Getting to Know the NCTR and How to Search for Records in the NCTR Archive; Reconciliation 2.0: “Breaking the Chains of Colonial Mindset”; Honouring Resolution Health Support Workers and Cultural Support Workers.

We continue to look to the future and have initiated a few community planning exercises. A call for proposals will be put out to hire a planner to work with the community for a Community Land Use Plan (including where to put future infrastructure builds), the design of a new Youth Centre, and the design of a new Administration Building.

Councillors Patrick McGinty and Keyshawn Sayer attended the Yukon Arts Gala where our citizen Kaylyn Baker won the Yukon Arts Gala prize with her stunning collection of wearable First Nation art and design.

Deputy Chief Ashley Edzerza took the lead and oversaw the distribution of three meals a day for Mayo evacuees residing in Pelly Crossing.

Various members of Council have attended multiple community events and functions throughout the last 6 months, including the Aunties Retreat, Northern Tutchone Youth gatherings, and SFN’s Youth Gathering.

Various members of Council have attended multiple community events and functions throughout the last 6 months, including the Aunties Retreat, Northern Tutchone Youth gatherings, and SFN’s Youth Gathering.

Council had a meeting with our MLA, Jeremy Harper, during which we discussed various topics related to the community’s ongoing projects and how he can support us.

Selkirk First Nation is pleased to introduce its new Executive Director, Tristan Newsome. With a strong background in leadership and a drive for personal and professional growth, Tristan brings a wealth of experience and determination to his role.
Tristan holds a degree in political science and is currently pursuing a master’s degree with the University of Alaska. His continued study reflects his drive to deepen his understanding of the complexities of government and decision making.
Prior to joining us, Tristan served over a decade in charitable organizations and governments including a role as a Senior Advisor with the Yukon Government, and Executive Director with Whitehorse based NGO.
As a testament to Tristan’s leadership skills and strategic vision. Tristan steered the NGO away from bankruptcy, transforming it into a thriving and financially secure entity. Today, this organization continues to provide essential services to a wide range of Yukoners.
Tristan’s professional interests lie in building organizational and staff capacity to help organizations achieve their goals. He is passionate about fostering team cohesion and accountability, recognizing that collective effort enhances organizational effectiveness.
On a personal note, Tristan’s family has joined him in Pelly Crossing. His wife Eva, who is Kwanlin Dun First Nation, and his son Russell have taken the brave step of embarking on this journey together. In August, Russell will be attending the daycare center, and Eva will begin working at the Health Care Center, further strengthening their personal connection to our community.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception he has received so far, Tristan shares, “I am incredibly grateful for the support and welcoming atmosphere I have encountered since joining Selkirk First Nation. Relocating your entire family and starting a new job can be daunting, but the kindness and support I have received have made this transition much smoother. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to SFN and the Pelly Community, and I look forward to meeting and connecting with everyone.”