Voices of Vision: Yukon Aboriginal Self-Government

Robert Hager grew up following traditional pursuits such as hunting, fishing and trapping. As a citizen of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, Robert is proud of his First Nation's history of self-government. His passion for self-government was one of the key aspects of his long and fulfilling political career. Robert was Chief of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun for three decades, and in that time, Robert witnessed several milestones of Yukon First Nation self-government, including the signing of his First Nation's Final and Self-Government Agreements. Robert is now retired and lives in Mayo, Yukon, where he and his wife, Christine, recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Dave Joe is a citizen of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. He is a distinguished lawyer who was called to the bar in 1977 in the Yukon and in 1999 in British Columbia. Dave has worked as chief negotiator for the Council of Yukon First Nations and a number of Canadian First Nations. He still acts as legal advisor for Yukon, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories First Nations.

Sam Johnston is a well-respected Teslin Tlingit elder with an impressive political history. He served as Chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council for more than a decade, and was also a Member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. Through his role as Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, Sam holds the distinction of being the first Aboriginal Speaker in Canada. On top of his political laurels, Johnston is an accomplished archer, dog musher and Tlingit dancer. Among his long list of accolades are the Yukon Commissioner's Award and induction into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame.

Angie Joseph-Rear was active in the self-government process as a Chief, councillor and community member. Her work ensured the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in's land claims agreement reflected the values and aspirations of the Hän people. Angie was the Hän language teacher at Dawson City's Robert Service School for nearly a decade before becoming the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in's language coordinator. With the assistance of fluent speakers, Angie brings the Hän language alive for interested learners. Angie is a survivor of residential school and, along with her peers, has helped others deal with their residential school experience through the K'änächá group, a Dawson City-based group of former residential school students. Even with her busy schedule, Angie still finds time to enjoy the land that has sustained her culture for thousands of years.

Joe Linklater is a seasoned political leader and program manager with considerable experience in building and implementing public policy and First Nation self-governance. He held the position of Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation from 1998 to 2010. Joe has contributed to successful intergovernmental relations at the federal, provincial and inter-provincial levels and is well known for his significant expertise in establishing and overseeing economic development initiatives and trust structures. Joe is unwavering in his long-standing commitment to working for his community and has assisted in establishing a number of community volunteer groups. He continues to be an effective advocate of the ongoing political evolution and advancement of self-governance of First Nations, often in partnership with other self-governing First Nations and other orders of government. He holds a diploma in First Nation Management.

Lesley McCullough has extensive legal and policy experience in governance and Aboriginal rights. She has worked for the Government of Yukon since 1992. Before becoming acting Assistant Deputy Minister of Courts and Regulatory Services, she held a variety of positions at the Government of Yukon's Land Claims and Implementation Secretariat, including legal counsel to the Government of Yukon in the negotiation of the Umbrella Final Agreement and Yukon First Nation Final and Self-Government Agreements, and director of mandate and policy. Lesley is a graduate of F.H. Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon and has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Alberta and a law degree from Queen's University.

Doris McLean is an outspoken leader and advocate whose work has touched many aspects of Yukon life. Doris, whose Tagish name is Guna, has both Tlingit and Tagish ancestry and belongs to the Dakl'aweidi (killer whale) clan. Doris has worked tirelessly to help preserve the Tagish language and restore Aboriginal rights. Doris has been a dedicated volunteer with many groups including the RCMP Citizens on Patrol, the 2000 Arctic Winter Games and the Yukon International Storytelling Festival. Doris was Chief of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation from 1988 to 1992, and provided a strong voice on self-government. Doris served as the Yukon Legislative Assembly's first Canadian Aboriginal woman Sergeant-at-Arms. The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal is among her accolades.

Hal Mehaffey founded Mehaffey Consulting in 1992 after eight years as the Band Manager of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun in Mayo, Yukon. Hal specializes in the negotiation of land claim and Self-Government Agreements, implementation plans and financial transfer agreements. He represented the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun in their negotiations and, in 1995, the First Nation went on to become one of the first four in the Yukon to put its Final and Self-Government Agreement into effect. Since then, Hal has negotiated for other First Nations including the Selkirk First Nation, the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation and the Tlicho Government in the Northwest Territories.

Adeline Webber has worked tirelessly toward the recognition and acknowledgement of Aboriginal women's rights. Adeline, a Teslin Tlingit Council citizen whose Tlingit name is Kh'ayàdê, spent a considerable portion of her career working in the federal public service, including serving as the Yukon district director of the Public Service Commission of Canada. Now retired, Adeline remains an active volunteer in her community, including work with the Whitehorse Aboriginal Women's Circle, an organization she founded. Adeline provides a unique perspective into human resources and women's rights as they relate to self-government, land claims and implementation.

John Burdek has long been a familiar face at many levels of government in the Yukon. Burdek, who was born in Dawson City, attended Lethbridge Community College and spent many years with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He served as chairperson of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, the First Nation of which he is a member, leading its transition from an Indian Act band to a self-governing First Nation. His vast array of experience also includes work with Yukon College, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and his current role with the Government of Yukon’s Governance Liaison and Capacity Development Branch. Burdek was a signatory to both the Final and Self-Government Agreements of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council.