Teslin, Yukon - Joint Announcement of the Teslin Tlingit Council, Government of Yukon, and Government of Canada
Today, the Teslin Tlingit Council, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and the Government of Yukon are proud to announce the signing of the Corrections and Community Services Amendment to the Teslin Tlingit Council Administration of Justice Agreement Implementation Plan.
This agreement will support Teslin Tlingit Council in implementing their corrections and community service model that uses restorative measures rooted in Teslin Tlingit culture, values and way of life known as Haa Ḵusteeyí (Our Way).
The agreement will provide $5 million this fiscal year and $2.1 million annually, to support this work. It will focus on health and wellness to reconnect Teslin Tlingit citizens to their community, clans, elders and families. The focal point of Teslin Tlingit Council's corrections and community services model is the establishment of a land-based healing camp with the support of elders and trained counselors.
In February 2011, the governments of Teslin Tlingit Council, Yukon and Canada signed the Teslin Tlingit Council Administration of Justice Agreement and the associated Implementation Plan. This paved the way for Teslin Tlingit Council to enact their Justice Council Act, establish the Peacemaker Court later that year, and committed the parties to continue negotiating on matters of enforcement, corrections, and community services.
The amendment signed today furthers another amendment signed in 2021 which provided funding for Teslin Tlingit Council to enforce their written laws and Peacemaker Court orders.
With the corrections and community services component of the Implementation Plan now in place, Teslin Tlingit Council can fully exercise their self-government jurisdiction over justice matters, and move forward with implementing their vision for justice, peace and safety in their community.
