YFN Government House 

Hello all our relatives!

So what's happening with treaty???

The treaty is signed off by our Hawii and elected leaders as well as the Federal Government and Provincial Government. So, we are waiting to implement the treaty on April 1st 2011, and yes, we are aware that it is on April Fools day!

We are planning our own celebration at a later date so if you have any ideas on how we should do that contact our office. Should we celebrate with our own songs and dances? Should we have a bonfire with fireworks? Should we Feast? Let us know. 

What have we done? Are we ready?

Ha-ah! Yes!

We are ready to take responsibility of our own resources. The opportunity is right now to break the pattern of dependancy on the Department of Indian Affairs and build what is important to us, now.

"Pulling together in our own canoes" is the analogy that will replace the unhealthy analogy of "crabs in a bucket".

As YFN we will paddle together to obtain the future that we want rather than pulling someone down when they try to do good for themselves and the tribe. We definitely will have to paddle through some stormy waters but we are brave and resilient and will make it to beach!

The late George Watts facilitated a self government workshop during a NTC Community Core Services training session and answered a whole lot of questions with a single phrase that I will never forget, he simply said,

'We could sit around all day and talk about how to walk through the door,or, we could just walk through it ."  George Watts

Yuʔłuʔiłʔatḥ Constitution

Was completed a year ago before the treaty could be ratified it is the highest law of the land and outlines our individual rights and freedoms of the YFN and describes the structure and authority of our government.

It also outlines the amendment process and how we can make changes to the constitution. We will have to make some minor changes the constitution including:

• The proper spelling of  Yuʔłuʔiłʔatḥ from Yuu-tluth-aht
• The timing of financial reporting
• Renaming "Chief and Council"

These changes could only be proposed right now and would have to follow the process outlined in the constitution after April 1st 2011 for legal purposes. Stay tuned.

Yuʔłuʔiłʔatḥ Laws and Legislation

Part of getting ready for Self Governance is drafting our core laws that will get us through the first two years. The YFN working groups have worked through these DRAFT Laws to present to the community and to our members living away from home. Remember that our elelcted government will have the authority to draft and amend laws. These laws will be presented:

• Governance Act
• Lands Act
• Financial Administration Act
• Elections Ḥ Referendums Act
• Community Planning Act
• Membership and Citezenship Act
• Administrative Decisions Review Act
• Resource Management Act
• Environmental Protection Act
• Code of Conduct
• Conflict of Interest Guidelines
• Government Personell Act
• Real Property Taxation

YFN Treaty Implementation Team:

The YFN Treaty Implementation Team has worked closely with the Maanulth Legal team to ensure that our DRAFT YFN Legislation reflect YFN values and culture. The team has worked in working groups according to their knowledge and expertice such as governance, finance, membership etc.

Our laws will become law and be signed off at effective date to replace the Indian Act on April 1, 2011.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the treaty process or how we will function post treaty feel free to contact us at the office or come visit us at a community meeting.

We will be scheduling community meetings for our membership in:

• Hittatsoo
• Port Alberni
• Nanaimo
• Victoria

If you are in Hittatsoo feel free to come chat with Tyson or Christina with your thoughts, concerns and insights we will be very happy to have a tea or coffee or if you want to call toll free call:

1 888 926 2416

Choo

Tyson Touchie

YFN Treaty Implementation Manager