The History of Mining on Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Traditional Territory

The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (“FNNND”) has lived on and governed our lands since time immemorial. Through the teachings of Dooli law and the guidance of our ancestors, we have lived in deep reciprocal and spiritual relationships with the land, water, and animals.

Mineral extraction in our Traditional Territory began with the arrival of European settlers. The relationship between FNNND and Settlers has been informed for over a century by federal and territorial legislation that FNNND rarely had a voice in making. For the most part, the history of mining on FNNND's Traditional Territory has been governed by colonial policies that promoted the systemic oppression and confinement of First Nations people, while supporting the harmful and extractive practices of Settlers mining our lands. In signing our Final Agreement in 1993, FNNND entered into a solemn promise with Canada and the Yukon Government to share management over our lands and waters. This promise has not been lived up to. Yukon’s management of mining has not evolved to reflect the promise of our treaty.

As the FNNND continues to engage in mining relationships on our Traditional Territory, we will uphold our role as stewards of the land through the management of our natural resources. FNNND supports responsible, sustainable development in our Traditional Territory that ensures long-term benefits to FNNND and our community. We will not compromise the integrity of our lands and resources or undermine our culture, heritage and way of life.

This page seeks to empower our community with knowledge by exploring the history of mining on our Traditional Territory, and the ways in which FNNND people have been impacted by this industry.

‍

Historic Timeline

1867

The Dominion of Canada was established and the British transferred the relationship of International' & Aboriginal affairs to the Canadian Government.

1876

The Indian Act, and its precursor assimilation policies, becomes law.

1883

First Gold Rush on Duncan Creek.

1903

Village of Mayo established. Primarily functioned as a settlement for the transportation of mineral ore by Sternwheelers via the river system.

1911

Choutla Carcross Indian Residential School opens.

1915

Dän Ku/The Old Village is established through forced relocation and confinement of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun people, informed by The Indian Act and enforced by the Northwest Mounted Police.

1919

Large scale silver production begins at Keno Hill Mine.

1933

Majority of mine production moves from Keno Hill to Elsa.

1936

Major flooding occurs on the Stewart River. This led to abandonment of historic and Traditional trading site, "Lansing Post" (settler named)and the destruction of the church and schoolhouse at Dän Ku/The Old Village.

1941

Production ceases at Elsa Mine.

1946

Keno Hill Silver District Holdings are purchased by United Keno Hill Mines Ltd. Mining begins again at Elsa and Keno Hill.

1950

All season Klondike Highway opens between Whitehorse and Mayo. Road is now referred to as Highway 11 or the "Silver Trail".

1951

Hydroelectric dam built in Mayo to provide electricity to town and surrounding mines.

1958

Forced Relocation from Dän Ku to East End of Mayo. This relocation has had considerable consequences as it is affected by marshy ground and unstable permafrost.

1960

Passing of the Canadian Bill of Rights. This legislation granted First Nations people the right to vote, the right to be treated as equal citizens.

1968

The Yukon Native Brotherhood forms. This organization would begin the journey of self-governance in the Yukon and participate in conversations regarding Indigenous rights and action across Canada.

1969

Choutla Carcross Indian Residential School closes.

1973

Elijah Smith and Yukon First Nation leaders presented, Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, to then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau on February 14th. This ground-breaking do

1973

The Council of Yukon Indians is established in order to collectively negotiate land claims. Now known as the Council of Yukon First Nations.

1986

Hard-Rock Mining shut down at Keno Hill and Elsa mines,

1993

First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun signs Land Claims and Self Governance Agreements.

2003

Devolution Transfer Agreement between Government of Canada and Government of Yukon is signed.

2003

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) was established under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA), which came into effect May 13, 2003.

2004

Remediation Agreement for Keno Hill Silver District signed between Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and Government of Yukon.

2006

Vancouver-based, Alexco Resource Corporation, operating as Elsa Reclamation and Development Company, takes responsibility for closure planning of the United Hill Keno Mine site.

2010

White Gold deposit discovery sparks a "Modern Day Gold Rush" in the Yukon.

2019

DÄN HÚNÀY: our People's Story is published. A book on the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Elders' Memories and Opinions on Mining.

2019

Open Pit Operations Commence at Eagle Gold Project. Project is owned by, Toronto-based, Victoria Gold Corporation.

2021

The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation creates the for-profit business, Yukon Seed & Restoration, to participate in land remediation and restoration work and to partner in informing future

2022

Hecla Mining, based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA, acquires Alexco Resource Corporation and the Keno Hill Claims.

2024

Victoria Gold Corp owned Eagle Gold Mine experiences a failure of the Heap Leach on June 24th, resulting in an unknown amount of cyanide solutions escaping and entering Na-Cho Nyäk Dun lands an

Mineral Staking Systems in the Yukon

[data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { display: none; } @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { [data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { position: absolute; z-index: -100; display: inline-block; height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: cover; } }

Since 1993, placer and quartz mining claims have increased dramatically on FNNND's Traditional Territory. This section explores what these two type of mineral claims.

Quartz Mining

Quartz Mining is likely what comes to mind when you think of modern mining practices. Also called 'Hard Rock' or 'Lode' mining, quartz claims represent all minerals that are found within the bedrock. The standard claim size for quartz in Yukon is 1500 ft x 1500 ft, but multiple claims can be staked simultaneously minimizing the impact of this restriction. Common minerals for quartz claims in the Yukon include gold, silver, and copper, and deposits can be mined using either open-pit or underground techniques.

Placer Mining

In contrast, placer mining is concerned with the minerals found above the bedrock in 'pay gravels'. This type of mining, also called 'Alluvial', involves digging up and processing minerals, usually gold, found in the sensitive riparian zones of streams, creeks, and rivers. Placer claims have a standard size of 500 ft (along the stream) by 1000 ft to one side of the water body and are only able to be staked once per creek per operator every 60 days. These operations are generally done by smaller companies or individuals, making monitoring a challenge.

Use the slider above to show the comparison between 1993 and 2023

The Free Entry Staking System

Yukon has a “Free Entry Staking” system to acquiring mineral claims, which means that prospectors do not have to get permission from the Yukon Government or First Nation Governments to physically go out and 'stake a claim'. Anyone over the age of 18 (regardless of citizenship/residency), can stake a claim for mineral rights on behalf of themself or a business for a fee of only $10/claim. Most land in the territory is available for staking, with the following, limited exceptions:

• Lands immediately around a dwelling, church, or graveyard;

• First Nation Settlement A lands;

• Areas removed from staking by Order in Councils (OICs);

• Over top of another pre-existing, active claim or the same type;

• On agricultural land (quartz only), or within municipal boundaries (placer only).

The above animations showcase the extent and increase in placer and quartz staking in the FNNND Traditional Territory since our Final Agreement was signed in 1993. The impacts of such extensive mineral activity on our Traditional Territory are significant and can be felt in the way we interact with our lands and waters.

The continued use of the free-entry staking system in the Yukon violates the spirit and intent of our Final Agreement. The free-entry system also violates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which requires the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous communities prior to taking up our lands and resources. The free-entry system also paves the way for increased environmental degradation through mineral exploration and extraction.