Signed in 1993, federal and territorial settlement legislation gave effect to the Teslin Tlingit Council Final and Self-Government Agreements in 1995.
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Last updated November 6, 2009

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

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 Teslin Tlingit Elders Council

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

Carl Smarch
Sarah Wolfe
Bessie Cooley
Rita Grant
Leon Jules
Carol Geddes
Vicky Bob
Pearl Keenan
Martha Van Heel
Eliza Bosely
Florence Smarch
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

Marion Horne
Ned Jules
Walter Geddes
Annie Grunsky
Anne Turner
Carol Degelder
Matt Thom
Doug Smarch Sr.
Marjorie Smith
Sam Johnston
Johnny Bob
Kathleen Collosimo
Jane Smarch
Tom Dickson Sr.
John Henry
Joe Jackson
Ken Bailey
Madeleine Jackson
Pat Casey
Evelyn Pye
Mary Johnston
Wilma Magill
Livingston Johnston
Jean Hogan

The Teslin Tlingit Justice Council

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 Justice Council is currently in the process of being implemented.
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 Teslin Tlingit Executive Branch
The nine-member Executive Council is composed of a Chief Executive Officer , a Deputy Chief, a Youth Councillor and one representative from each of the five Clans, all of whom are appointed for four-year terms by the General Council. One Executive Elder is 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:

Chief Executive Officer - Peter Johnston (Yanyèdí)
Deputy Chief - John Peters Jr. (Kùkhhittàn)
Executive Elder - John Peters Sr. (Dakhl’awèdí)
Councillor - Isabelle Dewhurst (Dakhl’awèdí)
Councillor - Kristyne Geddes (Ishkìtàn)
Councillor - Alex Oakley (Dèshitàn)
Councillor - Duane Gastant Accoin (Yanyèdí)
Councillor - Sandy Smarch (Kùkhhittàn)
Youth Councillor - Position Vacant

 
 
Kùkhhittàn - Raven Children Ishkìtàn - Frog Yanyèdi - Wolf Dèshitàn - Beaver Dakhl'awèdí - Eagle
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


The Teslin Tlingit Council Organizational Chart - Drawing
 
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