Premier Pillai meets with Village of Haines Junction and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations leadership

Continuing with his commitment to engage bilaterally with municipal and First Nations leadership about the issues important to their communities, Premier Ranj Pillai met with the Mayor and councillors from the Village of Haines Junction and leadership from Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) during a recent trip to Haines Junction (Dakwäkäda).

The Premier and leadership from the Village of Haines Junction discussed opportunities for further collaboration between municipal and territorial governments on infrastructure, land development and housing, community-based recreation, environment, and health and social services. The Premier committed that the Government of Yukon will continue to work with the Village of Haines Junction meet the needs of local residents.

In a bilateral meeting with CAFN, the Premier, Chief Barb Joe and Council discussed ways their two governments can continue to work together to support the local community, including, infrastructure development, creating new opportunities for local recreation, and on the recently-launched Public Service Commission’s engagement process to learn more about barriers faced by Indigenous Yukoners in territorial government hiring practices. The Premier also congratulated Chief Joe on CAFN’s 30th Anniversary of signing land claims agreements, which was celebrated on May 29, 2023.

Since becoming Premier in January 2023, Premier Pillai has made it a priority to meet bilaterally with leadership from Yukon municipalities and First Nations about issues of importance to their citizens. This work will continue over the summer.