BIG project goals Explore how this grassroots organization operates “on the ground” between Yukon and Alaska/ Canada and USA. Explore any barriers created by borders and if so what are the constraints? Explore the nature of the relationship between the YRITWC and other governance bodies in the region. What can be learned from the cooperative efforts of the YRITWC that may be applicable to other regions? Photo: Village of Mayo, YT from the Stewart River. L. Collins

BIG project goals Explore how this grassroots organization operates “on the ground” between Yukon and Alaska/ Canada and USA. Science department currently only one working cross border with water quality and ALN monitoring watershed wide… More programming in Alaskan portion of watershed

BIG project goals Explore any barriers created by borders and if so what are the constraints? Unequal access to funding sources based on National sources Inconsistent funding and lack of stability Differing relationships with other governance bodies across borders

BIG project goals Explore the nature of the relationship between the YRITWC and other governance bodies in the region. In USA, federal “nation to nation” relationship with Tribes State does not operate in the same manner. In Canada there are “self-governing” First Nations Territorial government/FN interactions still evolving within this context. Federal/First Nations relationships? Where are they headed?

Chapter 14 of the Umbrella Final Agreement “Subject to the provisions of the Umbrella Final Agreement, a Yukon First Nation shall have the exclusive right to use Water which is on or flowing through its Settlement Land when such Water is on or flowing through its Settlement Land” “A Yukon First Nation has the right to have Water which is on or flowing through or adjacent to its Settlement Land remain substantially unaltered as to quality, quantity and rate of flow, including seasonal rate of flow” “Government shall make best efforts to negotiate Water management agreements with other jurisdictions which share drainage basins with the Yukon” (14.10.1) “Government shall Consult with affected Yukon First Nations with respect to the formulation of Government positions on the management of Water in a shared drainage basin within those Yukon First Nations’ Traditional Territories in negotiating an agreement pursuant to 14.10.1”.

The Yukon River Watershed Plan “The plan is constructed to reflect shared governance among the sovereigns, and to acknowledge and underscore the historic and contemporary role of the Indigenous nations in the governance of the Yukon River to protect the resource and sustain the life of all the people who will live along the river for generations to come, including support for the fish, wildlife and plants that are essential to their lives.” Shared governance among First Nations, Tribes, State, Territory… Self government of First Nations within their Territories ..this may be a test case on “government to government” management of resources in the Yukon. Photo: YRITWC Summit, Mayo, YT, August 2013 L Collins

The Yukon River Watershed Plan “..the Tribes and First Nations will enter into government to government discussions with other sovereign governments in the Yukon River basin, on both sides of the International border, to implement the water quality standards and other elements of this plan…” Government to government negotiations on both sides of International border…how will this play out?

BIG project goals What can be learned from the cooperative efforts of the YRITWC that may be applicable to other regions? Northern BC/Southeast Alaskan transboundary cooperation:   ”United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group” Reconnecting of historic relationships among Indigenous tribes/nations along the length of river systems across imposed borders