Teslin Tlingit Council - Self Government

Signed in 1993, federal and territorial settlement legislation gave effect to the Teslin Tlingit Council Final and Self-Government Agreements in 1995.

	For the Teslin Tlingit Council constitutional and legislative agenda go to Agenda

Last updated November 3, 2003

Of the two main native language branches in the Yukon, Athahapaskan and Tlingit, Inland Tlingit speakers comprise the Teslin Tlingit Council Carcross/Tagish First Nation in the Southern Lakes District, and the Taku River Tlingit in Atlin, British Columbia. These three First Nations form the Dahk Ka Tribal Council, a bonding of the Tlingit people.

The Self-Government Agreement enables the Teslin Tlingit Council to establish the legal and political framework for its government-to-government relations with Canada and Yukon. To this end, the Teslin Tlingit Council is entitled to enact its own laws from a set of predefined terms set out in the agreement, including:

The use, management and good government of its Settlement Lands and the people living on these lands

The administration, operation and internal management of the Teslin Tlingit Council’s affairs, including the rights and benefits realized pursuant to its Final Agreement

The legislative powers that apply to Teslin Tlingit Council citizens wherever they may reside in the Yukon

As a result, the Teslin Tlingit Council will continue to assume increasing responsibility over areas administered by Canadian or Yukon government. This will be achieved through a process of negotiations to devolve responsibility for the design, administration and delivery of programs and services. Canada will provide the financial resources through Programs Service Transfer Agreements

Teslin Tlingit Council Final Agreement (PDF, 0.6 MB)
Teslin Tlingit Council Self-Government Agreement (PDF)

The Teslin Tlingit legislative branch is the 25-member General Council composed of five representatives appointed by each of the five Clans for four-year terms. The General Council is the forum where the members bring forward government business for discussion, debate and deliberation. The supremacy of the General Council means that this is the ultimate political decision-making body of the Teslin Tlingit government, with the power to pass and amend the Constitution, make and rule on law, and to respond to the voice of the people.

The Elders Council is composed of all Elders 58 years and older, presided over by the Clan leaders. The Elders Council gives advice and direction to all other Teslin Tlingit government branches and is responsible for safe-guarding, encouraging and instilling the heritage, culture, language and other traditions of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation.

Elder Council Members

Watson Smarch
Pearl Keenan
Martha Van Heel
Eliza Bosely
Florence Smarch
Harry Morris
Mary Joe
Liz Martychuk
Dorothy Thom
Harold Sidney
Lena Slang
Jimmy Johnston
Sophie Smarch
Lena Sidney
Katherine Henry
Doris Bahm
Don Henry Sr.
Grace Dewhurst
Pansy Allen
Matt Thom
Doug Smarch Sr.
Sadie Morris

Marjorie Smith
Sam Johnston
Pete Sidney
Johnny Bob
Kathleen Collosimo
Jane Smarch
Tom Dickson Sr.
Liz Smith
John Henry
Lucy Jackson
Edward Smith
Joe Jackson
Ken Bailey
Madeleine Jackson
Pat Casey
Evelyn Pye
Roy Smarch
Mary Johnston
Wilma Magill
Livingston Johnston
Jean Hogan

The authorities and responsibilities of the Justice Council, composed of the five Clan Leaders, are established by General Council in accordance with the traditional principles of Tlingit customary law and upon the advice of the Elders Council.

The Teslin Tlingit Council administration implements the political will and the laws of the General Council. The Council administration also implements policy and other top management decisions of the Executive Council, while assisting other Teslin Tlingit Council government branches in exercising their autonomy and respective political roles. While the jurisdiction of the governing bodies is political, the one exception is the Teslin Tlingit Council Management Board, or the administrative governing body, which provides an area of shared political and executive power, and of administrative expertise.

The Teslin Tlingit Council is representative of its Clans and citizens, and is responsible for the executive and legislative branches. To this effect, the Executive Council, who initiate policy and watch over the enforcement of the law, works in harmony with the General Council, who enact laws and chart the overall political course. To do this effectively, the Executive Council members have seats on the General Council to whom they are, at all times, responsible.

The Teslin Tlingit Council recognizes the fundamental importance of the separation between legislative and executive activities. In this capacity, the Executive Council provides the linkage between the General Council and senior, departmental management.

The Teslin Tlingit Council believes in ensuring accountability through disclosure, transparency and redress.

The six-member Executive Council is composed of one representative from each of the five Clans, appointed for four-year terms by the General Council, and one Elder appointed by and for a term at the pleasure of the Elders Council. The Executive Council is the top management team that heads up the Teslin Tlingit Council government.

Executive Council members:

Yanyedi - Peter Johnston
Ishkitan - Kristyne Geddes
Deshitan - Marion Sheldon
Kukhhitan - John Peters Jr.
Daklawedi - Erik Morris

The Teslin Tlingit Clan System of Government

The structure of the Teslin Tlingit Council incorporates traditional Tlingit Clan culture into contemporary organizational and management principles. The result reflects both the indigenous and the model of good government, independent but complementary governing bodies, the constitutionally entrenched integrity of government branches, and the separation of legislative from executive roles and tasks.

Under the Constitution of the Teslin Tlingit Council

Citizenship and organization of each Clan is determined by the customs inherited and observed by the Clan and acknowledged by the other Clans

Each Clan has a leader and Elders recognized as such by the Clan membership

The Teslin Tlingit Clans have emblems which are part of their tradition

The Teslin Tlingit Council Organizational Chart - Drawing