Yukon First Nations Self-Government Classroom Toolkit

Lesson 1: Contemporary successes for Yukon First Nations

Remember to scroll past the resource cards to view additional ideas on how to implement this lesson in your classroom.

 

Learning objective

Students explore contemporary successes of 11 Yukon First Nations in achieving self-determination and self-governance through negotiating modern treaty agreements and the contributions of role models.

 

Curriculum core competencies

  • Assess the significance of people, events, places, issues, or developments in the past and present.
  • Topic: Self-determination, self-governance, Final and Self-Government Agreements

Activities

Student project

Students can research a Special Management Area (SMA), territorial parks or other protected areas that were established under a First Nation’s Final and Self-Government Agreement. 

Students can create a short tourist profile for the area that highlights:

  • the cultural/traditional significance of the area for First Nations;
  • the importance of protecting an area or place;
  • how the Final and Self-Government Agreements are essential to an area’s sustainability; and
  • how areas are managed through shared use plans.
Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone Territorial Park
Yukon’s Tombstone Territorial Park protects a unique wilderness of rugged peaks, permafrost landforms, abundant wildlife and rich First Nation
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Kusawa Territorial Park
Kusawa Territorial Park
Kusawa Territorial Park is designated as a Special Management Area in two Land Claim Agreements and is part of three Traditional Territories: Carcross/Tagish, Champagne and Aishihik, and Kwanlin Dün First Nations.
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Vuntut National Park
Vuntut National Park
Vuntut National Park was established through the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement in 1995, to protect the traditional and current Gwich’in way of life, and the water, plants and animals essential to their culture.
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Discussion

Host a class discussion on the impacts of the Final and Self-Government Agreements on the protection and conservation of important ecological and biodiverse environments and of areas with important heritage or cultural significance.

Multimedia

Watch the following videos on the implementation of modern treaties. Students can summarize how modern treaties impact youth in the Yukon.

Treaty Talk | Sheena Johns
Treaty Talk | Sheena Johns
Listen in as Sheena explains some practical impacts of modern treaties on youth and how implementation can be interesting and exciting!
Watch
Treaty Talk | Robin Bradasch
Treaty Talk | Robin Bradasch
Robin explains what implementation is really about and shares how modern treaties impact youth in the Yukon.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Beverly Sembsmoen
Treaty Talk | Beverly Sembsmoen
Listen in as Bev tells us why youth should get involved with their treaties, and how they can get started. She also shares her desire for youth to learn from their Elders while they still can.
Watch

Classroom toolkit

Check out other lessons and use the quiz to test your students on Yukon First Nations Self-Government.
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