Deslin Neek - Teslin Tlingit Council

Deslin Neek 

The Voice of the Teslin Tlingit Council | Issue 10- Mar/APR 2011 

Brooks Brook gets a big face lift 

Brooks Brook has had a makeover. TTC was recently 

selected to host the Yukon Mining Training Association’s 

(YMTA) pioneering training program called ‘Caring for 

the Land Initiative’ (CFLI). One of the most immediate 

benefits has been impact of the external funding that has 

been made available to upgrade the facilities at Brooks 

Brook. CFLI will run for 14-weeks and a second intake is 

planned for the fall. One of the primary aims of CFLI is to 

provide participants with a camp life experience as part 

of preparations for employment in the mining industry. 

This requirement, coupled with the availability of funds, 

- page 8 for more 

The future of housing 

in Teslin 

A few years ago, the Executive 

Council of TTC became quite 

concerned with the number 

and size of spot land applications 

being approved by Yukon 

Government. Joining forces 

with the Yukon Government offered 

TTC the best chance to put 

a stop to these applications by 

offering some small rural residential 

developments that were 

properly planned. We created a 

joint committee and have spent 

the last few years studying various 

sites for country and rural 

residential development as well 


Wolf Presentation 

“Due to an overwhelming 

interest the Teslin RRC will 

host a follow up meeting to 

the one held in February to 

discuss wolf management 

in the region” - said the 

poster issued by the Teslin 

Renewable Resources 

Council or TRRC. Indeed 

the ‘overwhelming 

interest’ was demonstrated 

by the very well attended 

event held in mid-April 

at the Teslin RecPlex. 

Guest speaker John Elliot, 

a well versed biologist 


upgrades to Brook’s, brook 

-from Capital & 

Infrastructure 

page 8 - 9 

Trappers workshops 

- from lands and resources 

page 3 

TTC Housing Polcy update 

- from Bob Magill 

page 15

Updates from Heritage 

The Heritage Centre will opens its 

doors for the summer season from 

June 1 to September 1. The Department 

would like to welcome back 

Pauline Sidney who will be managing 

the gift shop again. Pauline will 

be joined by two summer students 

who will be working as interpreters 

for visitors. 

Bev Morris has officially been 

made ‘Celebration Coordinator’ for 

the 2011 Ha Kus Teyea Celebration 

of Inland Tlingit culture. Preparations 

for the celebration continue 

to run smoothly. Lisa Dewhurst, 

Business/Marketing Manager, has 

attended several trade shows this 

year as part of the Celebration marketing 

strategy. Taking all the trade 

shows into account, Lisa estimates 

that well over 5,000 people have 

seen the Ha Kus Teyea Celebration 

booth. People were well aware of 

the 2009 celebration and were excited 

to hear that a second celebration 

was scheduled for this summer. 

External inquires continue to 

flood into the Heritage Department. 

Staff are optimistic that attendance 

and performers numbers will increase 

from two years ago. 

As in 2009 the location of the 

Celebration will be at the Heritage 

Centre in Teslin. A full suite of 

demonstrations and entertainment 

is lined up including canoe racing. 

In addition to the cultural entertainment 

there will also be an information 

booth showcasing TTC to 

external visitors. 

It goes without saying that the success 

of the Celebration hinges on 

the enthusiasm and support of the 

community in Teslin. Those interested 

in volunteering for the Celebration 

are very much encouraged 

to contact the Heritage Department 

directly. Applications for volunteers, 

food vendors, artists market 

and dancers are also welcomed. 

Interested parties should log onto 

the Celebration website and apply 

online or if they prefer in person at 

the Heritage centre. 

www.teslintlingit 

heritage.com/ 

celebration/ 

A scene from the 

hit animated series 

‘Anash and the Legacy 

of the Sun-Rock’ 

Tlingit artist 

nominated 

for award 

TTC Citizen, Carol Geddes, continues 

to receive critical acclaim 

for her work. At this years Alberta 

Media Production Industries Association 

Film & Television awards, 

Geddes animated series ‘Anash’ 

jointly led the nominations for the 

awards with 10 in total. In terms 

of nominations this puts ‘Anash’ 

ahead of some big names including 

the television series ‘Blackstone’ 

that airs on Showcase and APTN. 

‘Anash’ is a half-hour children’s 

series that mixs live action shots 

and animation. The inspiration for 

the series draws on Tlingit oral history 

and this provided much of the 

material for the series captivating 

story lines. 

In Banff on June 15th - Anash will 

also line up against 5 other productions 

from all over the world to 

compete for a prestigious ‘Rockie’ 

award. 

To even be nominated for a Rockie 

is a tremendous acheivement and 

will ensure the Tlingit culture portrayed 

by Geddes’ work reaches an 

international audience. 

Deslin Neek - Jan/Feb 2011

Trappers 

Workshop 

- from Lands & Resources 

In April, TTC hosted a 4 ½ day 

course (30 -35hours) to local 

community members. The aim 

of the course was to facilitate 

members towards becoming 

certified trappers. The license 

is a Territorial requirement in 

order to be a commercial trapper. 

There is a clear distinction 

between commercial and subsistence 

trapping and harvesting. 

As a subsistence trapper, 

meaning your harvest from the 

land is for personal use only, 

you are not subject to the same 

rules and regulations. However, 

if you intend to sell any aspect 

of your harvest then your activities 

are classified as commercial. 

Commercial trappers do fall 

under a set of regulations, one 

of which is to be licensed. 

Lands & Resources are working 

hard to implement TTC’s desire 

to see as many Citizens on the 

land as possible. TTC wants to 

support people using the land 

and to empower trappers to 

harvest the land in a successful 

and commercially viable 

manner. This recognition and 

support for trappers’ rights is 

the driving force behind TTC’s 

move to encourage more people 

to become certified. 

The four day course was delivered 

at the Long House and 

run by Environment Yukon . 

Currently, TTC has to rely 

on Environment Yukon to 

provide an outside trainer; 

typically this is only 

possible twice a year. 

With an eye on both 

long-term community 

development and general 

self-sufficiency, it has 

been a priority of Lands 

& Resources to train 

someone in Teslin to 

be able to deliver these 

courses in the future. 

This desire has now 

become a reality and 

TTC looks forward to 

being able to 

deliver courses 

based on 

the needs of 

the community 

rather 

than the 

schedule of the 

Yukon Government. By 

having a qualified trainer avail- 

able locally, Lands & Resources 

will be able to offer greater 

frequency and flexibility to 

future participants who want to 

become licensed trappers. 

It must be noted that the courses 

will remain costly to run 

therefore a minimum number of 

participants will need to sign up 

before Lands & Resources can 

put on a course. 

Interested in 

the course? 

Tracy Boyes 

ex 428 

Deslin Neek - Jan/Feb 2011 

3

(con’t from front page) 

with over 30 years experience, 

was invited to address Teslin 

community members on general 

issues of wildlife management 

in a Northern setting. 

Speaking to Frank Johnstone, 

Vice-chair of the TRRC, before 

the presentation, we had 

time to outline the reasoning 

behind inviting Mr. Elliot to 

the community. It all boils 

down to the community taking 

more control of the information 

available to them. The well 

publicized revision of the 1992 

Wolf Management Plan is 

currently underway. There has 

been a certain level of frustration 

felt on behalf of the community 

in Teslin that the central powers, 

who determine the regulations 

are not satisfactorily open to 

suggestions and inquiries from 

outside communities. The aim 

of inviting speakers, such as 

Mr. Elliot, to Teslin is that the 

community can go around 

the central organization and 

gain direct, unfiltered access to 

research on wildlife management. 

The community then hopes it 

will be better prepared, and 

better qualified, to address 

the Wolf Management Board 

with suggestions in the future. 

The process of public 

consultation with the Wolf 

Management has yielded a 

number of good results in the 

past. It is possible to point to a 

number of successful changes to 

wolf trapping regulations that 

have come about by interventions 

from Teslin community. 

Wildlife expert addresses 

community. 

Examples include the decision 

to increase the number of annual 

wolf pelts that are permitted to 

be harvested from 3 to 7 and the 

decision to extend the trapping 

season by 3 weeks. It is this 

sense of achievement that seems 

to be driving the community in 

Teslin to have an even greater 

impact on how the decisions 

relating to Wolf Management 

are made in the Yukon. 

It is acknowledged that the 

management of wolves in the 

Territory is very much a complex 

issue. There is an economic 

and political landscape behind 

wildlife management that 

is peppered with different 

stakeholders. Balancing the 

potentially conflicting interests 

of hunters, trappers, the tourism 

industry, environmentalists, 

First Nation Governments and 

the Territorial Government is no 

easy task, finding consensus can 

be a challenge. A view shared 

by Johnstone who feels that too 

often trappers and community 

officials have been left frustrated 

at the lack of meaningful 

engagement with central officials. 

Furthermore, genuine inquiries 

or suggestions have been met 

with unsatisfactory answers and 

anecdotal rhetoric rather than 

hard stats and concrete evidence. 

According to Mr. Elliot, 

historically two options, both 

strikingly extreme, are normally 

on the table when considering 

wolf management. Either we do 

very little in terms of balancing 

wolf and ungulate populations 

or through mass-killing, 

poisoning, or sterilization; we 

take an intensive management 

approach in an attempt to re-align 

population. The community of 

Teslin is keen to explore a third 

option – one that sits between the 

‘do nothing’ or ‘kill everything’ 

approaches. This method looks 

to provide a long term balance 

between predators and prey, 

supporting local economies 

and local employment. This 

middle road also promises to 

respect and promote traditional 

methods of caring for and living 

Deslin Neek - Jan/Feb 2011 4

off the land. This third way 

was advocated by Mr. Elliot 

throughout his presentation. 

When asked to comment 

specifically on the current 

1992 Wolf Management Mr. 

Elliot agreed with the general 

consensus in the room that the 

plan presented a “limited and 

narrow view”. By focusing 

solely on wolves the 1992 Plan 

misses a key point. Wolves do 

not live in isolation but in an 

ecosystem and therefore only 

by considering both predator 

and prey populations will a 

satisfactory, and sustainable 

number of wolves be met. 

Having highlighted this 

important distinction Mr. 

Elliot proceeded to outline the 

varying factors in populations 

for the three main Yukon 

predators; black bear, wolf and 

grizzly. Crucially the predators 

were only referred to in relation 

to their prey stock; Caribou, 

Moose and Sheep. Elliot argued, 

with eloquent reasoning and 

an army of graphics, that only 

by managing all six species will 

the Yukon have a sustainable 

wildlife management plan. This 

increased effectiveness will 

ultimately produce sustainable 

levels of predators and prey that 

satisfy all needs from tourism to 

subsistence harvesters. 

“Sustainable levels of predators 

and prey?” Conventional 

thinking would pay at least a 

cursory nod to the logic that 

predator/prey cycles have to 

fluctuate as part of a natural 

cycle – high predator numbers 

leading to low prey leading to 

a lack of prey, a corresponding 

decrease in predator numbers 

which then allows a recovery 

for the prey numbers. Mr. 

Elliot however, presented a 

convincing and well researched 

case that there are some magic 

numbers out there that Wildlife 

Management Plans should aim 

for. Specifically for the Yukon, 

Mr. Elliot estimates that 6.5 

wolves per 1,000km2 of land 

and 25 calves surviving per 

100 females for ungulates will 

allow both predator and prey 

populations to not only stabilize 

but actually both increase 

under this so called ‘natural 

balance.’ Natural balance in 

name perhaps, but the level 

of accurate management 

required to reach these precise 

populations is very much manmade 

and will not be easy. 

Mr. Elliot emphasized that wolf 


5

management should never begin by looking 

at the number of wolves but at the number of 

ungulates that you want. Once established, the 

desired caribou, moose and sheep numbers can 

then provide the target wolf population that would 

produce such numbers of prey. Getting to this 

target wolf number can prove tricky. Mr. Elliot 

recommended revisiting some simple management 

techniques that are too often overlooked in other 

parts of Northern Canada. Strategies like reviewing 

the location of artificial salt licks for Mountain 

sheep; a project in Northern B.C re-located a saltlick 

closer to the sheep’s natural habitat on the cliff 

side. By moving the mineral lick closer to the safe 

territory of the cliff side the local Sheep population 

lost fewer numbers getting to this crucial resource 

and the population re-bounded astonishingly. 

Similar stories can be found elsewhere in the North. 

In Alaska they were faced with the problem of male 

black bears heavily feeding on moose calves in the 

spring. A crucial food source for male black bears, 

moose calves’ numbers are severely hit by Black 

Bear kills. Solution – provide the black bears with an 

alternate, easy access food source during the spring. 

Result – more moose calves reach adult hood, go 

on to breed and solidify population growth. Mr. 

Elliot demonstrated that it is the survival of the 

young that is paramount for healthy population 

growth in all ungulates. Often this point can be 

missed; a summer valley filled with adult moose 

with no calves is a sure sign that appearances 

can be deceptive, lots of moose does not equal a 

healthy population if they are only adults. Only 

by increasing calve survival rates will you increase 

the long-term and stability of the total population. 

Another side of this multi-faceted issue is the 

effectiveness and activity of trappers on the land. 

The reality with trapping, according to Mr. Elliot, 

should not just be educating people to become 

qualified trappers. It is also assisting already skilled 

and experienced trappers to be able to get out on 

the land more and spend more time trapping. By 

making it easier for a trapper to give up a day’s 

work and go out on the land the predator numbers 

will be better managed. One huge asset of trapping 

over other methods of wildlife management is the 

micro management aspect. Individual trappers can 

provide specific, detailed data to wildlife managers. 

Only trappers can offer the light but sustainable 

impact on wildlife populations that is required 

for the long-term, ‘natural balance’ vision of Yukon 

wildlife management that was presented by the speaker. 

Mr. Elliot concluded by returning to the 1992 Wolf 

Management Plan. He provided stark criticism that the 

plan lacked concert numbers on ungulates, an apparent 

perquisite, for a solid plan that addresses wolf numbers. 

He argued that the plan needs to shift focus away from the 

do nothing/intense management dichotomy. Instead there 

must be increased focus on the large mammal ecosystem; 

assigning goals for the populations of the six large 

mammals (black, grizzly, wolf, caribou, moose and sheep) 

and focus on traditional hunting and trapping methods to 

maintain population’s levels within the newly established 

target numbers. Only through this method will the Yukon 

reach the win-win situation that promises to satisfy all 

stakeholders from outfitters trying to attract tourist dollars 

to local Yukoners who want a big enough harvest to 

maintain a traditional and very much cherished way of life. 

It won’t be easy but the pro-active approach of the 

community here in Teslin is to be commended. Now we 

will be better informed and better equipped to present 

our opinions on the Territorial level this summer. 


6

Some common questions on the AJA that you’ve raised. 

How will the Teslin Justice Agreement help TTC to reconcile the contemporary laws with 

traditional laws? 

The Peacemaker court will be providing mediation services (called Stage 1 services) at which time individual 

parties can come together to resolve a dispute. Stage 1 services can also aid in the resolution between Clans if 

the respective clans so choose to engage a Peacemaker to resolve their conflicts. 

During the first four years of implementation of the Justice Agreement TTC laws will be adjudicated (enforced) 

by the Yukon Territorial Court. The territorial court is required, by the Justice agreement to consider the principles 

of Ha Kus Teyea to inform the court’s order. This process can be aided by a Teslin “Friend of the Court”to 

translate the cultural principles reflected within Ha Kus Teyea. This will ensure that an outcome is as close as 

possible to the values reflected within the Tlingit document. 

How will Ha Kus Teyea be upheld within the Teslin Peacemaker Court? 

Application can happen one of two ways: (i) TTC can revise their laws to ensure Ha Kus Teyea principles are 

incorporated into these statutes or (ii) Peacemakers are to be mindful and apply Ha Kus Teyea when considering 

a case before them. 

What are the immediate obligations of the Teslin Tlingit government 

to implement the Justice Agreement? 

TTC will need to: (i) complete the drafting of the proposed 

Peacemaker Court Act, which will then require consultations 

with the Clans before the law is enacted by the General Council. 

(ii) Ensure there is a communication plan to educate and communicate 

with Citizens and government departments and (iii) hire 

a Justice Director to begin the necessary work to ensure policies 

are in place, there is a location to staff a storefront office for Citizens 

to gain access to court services. 

Continuing to inform 

Citizens about the 

Administration of Justice Agreement. 

What does that mean? 

‘Adjudicate’ a formal legal way of making a 

decision on a problem or dispute. 

‘Enforce’ requires people to follow laws or 

face penalties. 

‘Mediation’ acting like an umpire who supervises 

two opposing parties. 

‘Violation’ breaking a specific law 

‘Dispute’ a disagreement that is taken to 

court 

‘Binding judgements’ decisions made by the 

Peacemaker Court must be followed just like 

any other Territorial or Federal Court.


as meant that facilities at 

Brooks Brook have seen some 

significant upgrades. 

The improvements to 

facilities at Brooks Brook 

are permanent and are to the 

long-term benefit of the entire 

community. Bob Magill, 

Director of Capital and 

Infrastructure and Richard 

Grant, foreman of the site, 

found some time to take 

Deslin Neek around Brooks 

Brook during the last week of 

construction work. 

The total list of improvements 

is long. Citizens can look 

forward to enjoying the new 

A review of the changes 

to Brooks Brook 

and improved Great Hall 

which has seen extensive 

work from the installation of 

windows, doors and central 

heating to an extension of the 

gazebo and upgrading to the 

flooring. Furthermore, 5 new 

cabins – each sleeping two 

people and equipped with 

wood-burning stoves and a 

porch, new cook housing, 

an overhaul of the catering 

facilities, a permanent 

washroom and laundry unit 

and a central boiling system. 

It is this central boiling 

system that really 

gets Bob Magill 

excited. The fact 

- From Capital & Infrastructure 

Thenew. 

’Great Hall’ 

that the Great Hall, 

washrooms, kitchen and 

cooks residence are now all 

heated centrally is no small 

achievement. The new 

system will provide wood 

heat through a network 

of underground piping. 

The installation of a new 

heating system provided 

a real sense of pride in the 


8

work crew. The foreman, Richard Grant, 

went to great lengths to describe the ordeal 

of digging and planting the piping system 

in the frozen earth. Crews working on 45 

minute shifts – half the team out working 

while the other half kept indoors warming 

up. Luckily the visit to the site coincided 

with the inaugural day of firing up the unit. 

By using wood rather than propane as its 

primary fuel source, the system is a greener 

move, better 

for the 

land. It also 

promises to 

provide local 

employment 

Significant 

upgrades through a 

washroom, laundry and 

shower block 

as up to 60 

cords of 

wood will 

be needed 

per year. 

The state-of-the-art 

system is dually backed 

up with propane, should 

wood not be available. 

Bob Magill was keen 

to stress the financial 

savings for TTC by 

running this cleaner, 

greener and cheaper heating system and is 

optimistically considering this system for 

other locations in Teslin. Citizens can also 

expect Brooks Brook to become a year-round 

destination thanks to this improved heating 

and upgrades to insulation of the Great 

Hall. 

A sincere thank you must be extended to 

all the community members who worked 

tirelessly to have Brooks Brook ready for the 

CFLI. Work was only commissioned 

to begin in late winter and the 

crew faced an array of formidable 

Richard and Bob 

discuss the benefits of the 

new central heating system 

barriers such as -40c temperatures, frozen 

ground and thick snow cover. The dedicated 

team toiled relentlessly to stay on schedule. 

This commitment to the job at hand should 

not go unnoticed and Deslin Neek would like 

to join the chorus of voices expressing sincere 

thanks to the crew for their professionalism 

and success. 

Community members can look forward to 

this year’s Annual General Assembly, July 19 

– 21, for their first 

close-up look at the 

improvements to 

Brooks Brook. 


would also like 

to recognize the 

contribution made 

by Gord Smith to 

the work at Brooks Book. We would like to 

wish him a speedy and healthy recovery. 

Each of the 5 new cabins 

contain two beds, a wood 

stove and a small porch. 

Questions 

contact Capital 

& Infrastructure 

ex. 227 

Deslin Neek - Jan/Feb 2011

Update from 

Lands & Resources 

as for cottage lots. By proper 

planning we hoped to avoid 


the spreading of negative environmental 

impacts across our 

traditional territory, and to find 

ways to benefit TTC members. 

The first project was at Little 

Teslin Lake where we jointly 

created 19 cottage lots, in an 

area that had already seen a 

number of cottages developed. 

Through proper planning we 

protected sensitive environmental 

features, made sure there 

were no heritage resources affected 

and secured the contract 

to manage and construct the 

roads and lots themselves, thus 

providing jobs and experience 

for TTC members. 

The next area we are looking 

at is along Sawmill Road. 

With Yukon, we have studied 

the lands and natural features, 

the heritage resources and the 

soils. The area seems suitable 

for residential development 

and we are now working with 

YESAB and the Village to seek 

all approvals necessary. Over 

the last few years we have 

held three public open houses 

and one public hearing on this 

project. It seems that not many 

people have concerns about this 

idea as we haven’t heard many 

complaints. We have tried to 

protect heritage sites and special 

natural features, and will even 

upgrade part of Sawmill Road 

itself. Over the last few meetings 

we have had requests to 

move the subdivision away a bit 

farther, which we have done, to 

relocate the Hermit Lake Trail, 

which we have committed to, to 

relook at lot sizes to make sure 

they can handle septic systems, 

which we are doing, and finally 

to make sure we have protected 

important heritage 

features, which we 

are working with 

our staff to do. 

Our next project is 

likely to be at Morley 

Bay where we 

hope to find areas 

for a few more rural 

residential lots 

and some cottages, 

again in an area 

where there is already 

some human 

disturbances so we 

are not impacting 

other natural areas. 

Finally TTC is also 

looking at developing a subdivision 

for our members at 

Airport West. It has been the 

site of some previous work with 

clearing and basic road construction 

already in place. We 

are now asking TTC members 

if they think this is a suitable 

area for residential development 

and what kind of features they 

would like to see if the area is 

developed. We have prepared 

some information and a questionnaire 

on this matter and we 

hope to talk to as many members 

as we can. 

Land development is not easy 

and we are working hard to do 

Blanche or 

Connie 

ex 424/430 


10

2011 SPRING BEAVER HUNT 

WITH BERT GOODWIN 

AT BIG SLOUGH ON THE TESLIN RIVER 

MAY 20 TH TO MAY 23 RD 

Transportation and food will be provided. You will have to bring 

you own tent and sleeping bag and personal items. 

If you are interested we would need to know how many people 

are going for the grocery order. 

If you can let me know by May 17TH 2011 that would be 

greatly appreciated. 

If you are planning on sending your child down we ask that you 

have them accompanied by a responsible adult. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL 

Robin.smarch@ttc-teslin.com or call me at 867-335-2096 

Or at the school 390-2570 

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF LEARNING ON THIS TRIP SO 

COME ON OUT AND LEARN ABOUT THE RIVER IN THE SPRING 

TIME. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. 


11

Caring for the Land Intiative opens 

- New program based in Teslin from the Yukon Mining Training 

Association (YMTA) 

April the 18th saw the official opening of the 

Yukon Mining Training Association’s (YMTA), 

Caring for the Land Training Imitative (CFLI) 

at Brooks Brook. The very well attended 

event saw attendees from the Territorial 

Government, YMTA, politicians, journalists, 

TTC Elders, Citizens and the participants. Eric 

Morris, Regional Chief of the Assembly of 

First Nations (AFN), led preccedings the event 

from the renovated stage in the Great Hall. 

With a warm sun beating through the recently 

installed windows, Eric expertly navigated 

the audience through a long list of speakers 

wanting to address the gathered crowd. First 

up to welcome one and all to TTC’s traditional 

territory was Chief Johnston. Peter addressed 

the benefits that Teslin as a community, stands 

to receive from the Brooks Brooks renovations. 

In addition to the work done at Brooks Brook the 

training course also provide local employment 

opportunities for a camp cook, cooks assistant, 

site maintenance and a resident Elder. 

For the inaugural intake, running April 11 to June 

30, students are being trained in the fundamentals 

of environmental management relating to the 

remediation or restoration of contaminated mine 

sites. Brooks Brook is a previously contaminated 

site itself, and will give the students the perfect 

opportunity to test their new skills. The course 

promises to hold no punches in preparing the 

participants for the working life of a Yukon 

mining camp. Early starts, lots of outdoor 

classroom time, the relative isolation of the site 

and simple cabin accommodation promises 

to give a reasonably realistic environment. 

According to Project Manager, Brad Stoneman, 

that realistic experience is exactly the point and 

one of the main reasons behind Brooks Brook 

and TTC being chosen to host the sessions. 

Lead trainer, Gillian Chown, outlined the basic 

curriculum that the students will follow during 

the 14 weeks. The students acquire and apply 

skills and knowledge through the execution of 

various environmental management activities, 

within the contaminated site. These skills are 

transferable to countless other resource sectors, 

including the mining industry, and industry 

which is already keen on hiring the trained 


12

graduates, come June. All stakeholders are 

enthusiastic to see the participants graduate. 

This point was reconfirmed by Chown when 

closing her speech with “YMTA, project staff, 

and trainers are all committed to fully supporting 

trainees to ensure they successfully complete 

the program and find employment afterwards.” 

The 20 participants, with both genders well 

represented, were handpicked from nearly 

70 applicants from across Yukon and North 

B.C. According to Stoneman, the selectors 

were looking for enthusiastic applicants 

with a love of the land rather than specific 

academic and professional qualifications. 

“The program is a tremendous opportunity for 

both the potential employers and interested 

trainees. Employers need employees skilled in the 

field of land reclamation, and our unique program 

allows trainees to obtain these skills through 

on-site learning in the actual environment” 

stated Brad Stoneman, “Several of our current 

trainees have already been offered positions, 

once they graduate from the program in June.” 

Caring for the Land Initiative 

Second intake 

If you have any questions about the program or if you are 

interested in hiring one of graduates through our wage subsidy 

program, please contact, 

Brad Stoneman, Project Manager, Caring for the Land Initiative 

at: 867-390-2180 

In total, 7 of the students had already been 

offered employment positions with resource 

extraction companies on successful completion 

of the course. This further demonstrates the 

high demand for skills associated with postextraction 

environmental restoration and 

general environmental management. Of 

the 20 TTC was best represented with three 

Citizens successfully navigating the application 

process and securing a place on the course. 

The CFLI is a formalized partnership comprised 

of the YMTA, representatives from aboriginal 

organizations and communities, the environmental 

remediation sector, resource related industry, 

educational institutions, Government of Yukon, 

and the Government of Canada. Due to the high 

number and high quality of the applicant field 

YMTA have successfully secured a second intake 

of students for the fall. YMTA is still accepting 

applications for this session, to be delivered 

August 1, 2011 to October 22, 2011. Closing 

dates for receipt of applications to YMTA’s 

offices is June 10, 2011. Applications can be 

submitted to Shelly McDonald – shelly@ymta.org. 

Training Program: 

CERTIFICATE OF APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNIQUES 

Training Program Modules: 

Environmental Core Skills 

Environmental Monitoring-Research & Regulatory 

Specializations 

Environmental Site Assessment Assistant 

Contaminated Sites Remediation Coordinator 

Training Program Location: 

Camp-based at Brook’s Brook off of Alaska Highway, 

35 km North West of Teslin 

We are looking for 20 Aboriginal Trainees, to train for a total of 14 weeks 

with two scheduled 1 week breaks 

The program will start August 1, 2011 to October 22, 2011 

To apply send resume and cover letter to: Shelly McDonald, Training Assistant, YMTA 

Fax: 867-633-2605 E-mail: shelly@ymta.org Phone: 867-456-8316 

Deadline for applications is June 1, 2011 


13

BEAR AWARENESS COURSE 

For Adults 

Monday, May 30 th (7 – 8 PM) 

Teslin Environment Office 

Learn how bears avoid or resolve conflicts so you’ll know the best way to 

respond to bear encounters. Make your next trip into bear country safer for 

both you and the bears. 

For further information or to register, please contact 

John Klein, Conservation Officer at 390-2685 


14

Update on the development of the 

TTC Housing Policy 

- from Bob Magill, Director of Capital & Infrastructure 

TTC has been seeking to 

update its housing policies for 

many years. Housing policies 

guide TTC, but especially the 

Department of Capital and 

Infrastructure and the Housing 

Committee, to make decisions 

regarding housing. This review 

of housing policy is critical to 

helping TTC better serve the 

Citizens, and your participation 

can make it a success. 

How rent is set, how units are 

allocated, how difficult tenants 

are dealt with, what types of 

repairs are made when money 

is tight, and many other issues 

are guided by housing policy. 

A community meeting was 

held in February and many 

citizens attended and took the 

opportunity to give input to the 

process. 

A second community meeting 

was held at the LongHouse 

on May 11, 2011 were sadly 

only one Citizen was available 

to attend. Your concerns are 

very important, and your 

involvement will help make 

the redrafting of the housing 

policies a success. 

15 

Deslin Neek - Jan/Feb 

An online survey, as well as one-onone 

interviews, are being planned as 

well. 

Karl Blattmann is working on this 

project and he may visit you to 

discuss your concerns. He can be 

reached at 867-335-0320 or karl@ 

dsys.ca if you have any concerns or 

questions. He looks forward to your 

call! 

April 19th saw a busy day at the 

Heritage Centre. Representative 

from Environment Yukon spent 

the day with Teslin students. The 

children learnt bird identification 

techniques and had the opportunity 

to enjoy the swan related craft 

workshops. 

Students from Teslin 

School work on making 

swans at a workshop 

Karl Blattmann 

335-0320 

Playing games to help 

learn to identify all the birds 

that we see on Teslin Lake

Something for everyone to enjoy 

- new exhibit to open in June at the George Johnston Museum 

At the end of last year work was 

started on extracting a forgotten 

piece of history 4 miles south 

of Teslin Airport. Hidden in the 

forest, untouched and unloved 

for several years the remains of 

Teslin’s Radio Range sat waiting 

to be rediscovered. This summer 

the Radio Range has been added 

to the exhibits on display at the 

well respected George Johnston 

Museum. Deslin Neek had time 

to sit down with Sharron Chatterton, 

Museum Curator, to find out 

exactly what new treasures have 

been unearthed, in what she hopes 

will be an exhibit the whole community 

can feel pride in. 

Sharron had to work relentlessly to 

secure the funding for this project, 

a large chunk coming from the 

Yukon Government’s Community 

Development Fund. Found at its 

original location, 4 miles south 

of the Airport, the log structure 

had to be partially dismantled to 

permit transportation across the 

Nisutlin bridge. The reins were 

then handed over to the expertise 

first of log builder Greg Warrington 

and then museum designer 

Gunter Glaeser who diligently 

constructed the display. 

The exhibits tell the story of Teslin 

in 1940-55 when its quiet and 

simple northern village life was 

overturned with the coming of the 

airport, the Alaskan Highway and 

the navigational radio range. The 

story is told with transmitters, text 

and photographs inside the original 

structure. 

The Radio Range played a prominent 

role when Teslin was a key 

stage in the huge communications 

network in Northern Canada, linking 

Alaska with the lower 48 states. 

Originally 

pilots would fly 

over these vast 

areas using only 

visual clues, 

geographical 

features, navigating 

from beacon 

to beacon. 

Front view of the 

restored Radio Range at the 

George Johnston Museum 

These stunningly brave individuals 

gave the north a cherished postal 

link and a life-changing connection 

to the south. In 1939 increases 

in demand for postal-services 

and freight caused the Canadian 

government to look into ways of 

improving navigation along the 

route in an attempt to raise safety 

standards. Driven by this desire to 

regularize commercial traffic and 

continue ‘investigating’ the Canada 

north, state-of-the-art Radio 

Ranges were installed along the 

entire flight corridor. 

The United States Government 

soon offered their own investment 

towards the project with an eye 

on benefiting from the improved 

links to Alaska. At this point the 

US were still not directly engaged 

in the World War that was waging 

across Europe at the time but were 

profiting by selling Lend-Lease 

planes to Russia.. However, soon 

enough America had entered the 

War and Alaska became a strategic 

front as a potential landing 

point for a Japanese land invasion. 

Understandably Canada had 

sovereignty concerns by allowing 

Americans into the project. Concerns 

were put on hold and work 

on the radio ranges commenced 

via the Royal Canadian Air Force 

and the Department of Transportation 

in the 

early 1940’s. 

It is important 

to 

note that 

the airports 

and radio 

ranges in the 

Yukon were 

constructed 

before the 

Alaska highway. This meant all 

access to the interior was by water 

– as it had been for thousands of 

years. Due to a number of complimentary 

geographical factors Teslin 

was selected for some special 

attention. Incredibly, all the equipment 

brought in to build both Tes- 


16

lin airport and radio range was shipped up the coast 

to Skagway, carried over the White Pass on the train, 

floated down Bennett Lake, to Carcross and eventually 

up Teslin Lake to its present site. 

The people of Teslin had seen planes before the airport 

was constructed. Planes would use the lake as a 

landing strip. The construction of both the airport and 

radio range heralded a noticeable increase in air traffic 

coming through the Territory. Manning the radio range 

was also a highly technical job and outside assistance 

from the South was drafted in the run the machinery – 

further increasing the population of the community. 

The exhibit casts new light on this very modern chapter 

in Teslin’s long history. The George Johnston Museum 

hopes to build on its healthy visitor numbers this summer 

and is looking forward to hearing visitors’ reaction 

on this fascinating display. More importantly, beyond 

the tourists, the Museum hopes that community members 

in Teslin will take the time to visit the new exhibit 

and learn a little more about rare exhibit. 

As always the George Johnston actively encourages the 

community to get involved with their Museum. The 

best way to do this is to become a Museum member – 

for just $10 a year Museum members can visit as many 

times as they like for free with up to 3 free guests each 

time. 

May 

Canada School of Public Service 

Elijah Smith Building, suite 400, 300 Main Street 

Whitehorse, Yukon 

Schedule of Courses in Whitehorse 

May 2011 to March 2012 

2011-05-05 to 07-07 

Language for Beginners (B328) 

$ 420.00 Part-time Afternoon French as a Second 

2011-05-10 & 11 $ 550.00 Workplace Stress and Strategies (T601) 

2011-05-30 to 06-01 $ 825.00 Planning for Retirement (D001) 

June 

2011-06-13 to 17 $ 725.00 French Immersion Week for Beginners (B002) 

2011-06-21 & 22 $ 550.00 Improving Listening Skills (T022) 

September 

2011-09-13 to 15 *$1050.00 Essentials of Supervising in the Public 

Service (G124) 

October 

2011-10-12 to 14 $ 825.00 

(F002) 

2011-10-17 to 21 *$1750.00 

Service (G110) 

November 

Fundamentals of Budget Formulation and Control 

Essentials of Managing in the Public 

2011-11-07 to 09 $ 825.00 Planning for Retirement (D001) 

2011-11-15 to 17 $1050.00 Preparing Treasury Board Submissions and 

Cabinet Documents (F708)

TTC Citizen going to 

Greenland. 

- Wilfred Johnston, Youth rep. of 

the Arctic Council 

It is very important 

for youth to 

take an active role 

in Arctic issues 

and the Arctic 

Council is a 

perfect avenue to 

obtain this goal. 

Wilfred Cameron Johnston is 19 years and is a youth 

representative of the Arctic Athabaskan Council 

(AAC) at the Ministerial Meeting in Nuuk. Wilfred is 

also a representative of the Daklaweidi (Eagle Clan) 

of the TeslinTlingit First Nations and his Tlingit name 

is Taklawexh (Eagle Talon). Wilfred graduated from 

FH Collins High School last year. 

“The Arctic Council issues are of my interest simply 

because it is an opportunity for me to learn what is 

going on. As a youth delegate, my role is to attend the 

councils’ meetings and observe the discussions and 

concerns and possibly share my own thoughts and 

opinions” Wilfred says. 

Wilfred has high expectations 

to the Ministerial 

Meeting: “This will 

be my first time in the 

presence of a Ministerial 

Meeting and I believe 

this is going to be a very 

great experience for me” 

he says, and continues 

to highlight his special 

interests: “Over the summer of 2010, I worked 

on a project concerning Food Security and Climate 

Change with the Teslin Tlingit Research Team. The 

project had great outcomes. This may also be why I 

believe AAC sends for youth representatives. Teaching 

or having youth experience the matters at hand 

may create interest leading to a career in the Arctic/ 

Climate Change field. My goals/expectations are to 

simply learn, observe and possibly teach throughout 

the duration of the gathering in Nuuk”. 

Experiential Leadership: Wilderness 

is a Teacher! 

In partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the Canada School 

of Public Service invites you to participate in … 

a FREE session to explore leadership models 

and styles … indoors and out … and an 

opportunity to network with colleagues. 

This intriguing session will be led by Jaret Slipp, the Yukon Director of the 

National Outdoor Leadership School. 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 

WHERE: Boardroom 400, Elijah Smith Building 

TIME: 9:00am to 10:30am 

Seating is limited. 

*FREE* 

To register and for more information contact Karen Wienberg at 393-6713 

or by email karen.wienberg@csps-efpc.gc.ca 

2011 SPRING BEAVER HUNT 

WITH SANDY SMARCH 

ON THE NISUTLIN RIVER 

MAY 20th TO MAY 23rd 

Transportation and food will be provided. You will have to bring 

you own tent and sleeping bag and personal items. 

If you are interested we would need to know how many people 

are going for the grocery order. 

If you can let me know by May 17th 2011 that would be greatly 

appreciated. 

If you are planning on sending your child down we ask that you 

have them accompanied by a responsible adult. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL 

Robin.smarch@ttc-teslin.com or call me at 867-335-2096 

Or at the school 390-2570 

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF LEARNING ON THIS TRIP SO 

COME ON OUT AND LEARN ABOUT THE RIVER IN THE SPRING 

TIME. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. 


18

Citizen’s Corner 

- Announcements, Birthday Greetings, Anniversaries and Messages 

May 23 

Victoria Day (Monday) 

May 30-31 

9:00am - 4:30pm 

Whitehorse Aboriginal Woman’s 

Circle Mentoring Course 

Call 867 668 7532 

May 30 - June 2 

Teslin School 

‘across the lake’ 

June 6 - 9 

Clan and Public Meetings 

with Dan George 

Teslin 

Time and venue tba 

June 6 

Federal Canada Learning Tour 

with Special 

Community Lunch at the Longhouse 

in Teslin 

June 21 

Aboriginal Day (Tuesday) 

June 30 

Opening ceremony for the new 

Radio Range exhibit at the 

George Johnston Museum 

July 1 

Canada celebrations 

in the Village 

Teslin 

The Headstone Potlatch for 

Pete Sidney of the Kukhhittan 

Clan is for 

October 8, 2011 location Teslin, 

Yukon 

For more information you can 

contact Carl Sidney at 390-2845 

Thank you 

To the Teslin Tlingit Council 

and Teslin Hockey Associations 

for your contribution 

towards my Hockey season. 

And, a special thank you to 

Bonar and Bess Cooley for 

your kind donation. 

from Adrianne Dewhurst 

April, Past Chiefs, Executive 

and Lands & Resources meet to 

discuss transboundary areas. 

‘Deslin Neek’ 

The voice of the Teslin 

Tlingit Council 

Issue 9 - Jan/Feb 2011 

Deslin Neek warmly welcome 

all comments, submissions, 

letters and photographs. 

We are also available for 

community announcements 

and promotions through free 

advertising. 

Please note, we reserve the 

right to edit submissions for 

accuracy, length 

and relevance. 


Editor: 

Ian Freeman 

Communications 

Coordinator 

Teslin Tlingit Council 

(867) 390-2532 ex. 225 

ian .freeman@ttc-teslin . 

com 

Deslin Neek is published bimonthly 

in house by the Teslin 

Tlingit Council. 

Teslin Tlingit Council 

Box 133 

Teslin, Yukon 

Y0A 1B0 


19

Teslin Tlingit Council - Telephone Directory (May. 3, 2011) 

EXECUTIVE (Fax: 390-2204) 

Chief Executive Officer Peter Johnston 222 

Deputy Chief Vacant 251 

Executive Director Doug Hogan 264 

Executive Manager Brenda Oziewicz 484 

Executive Office Manager Gord Curran 498 

Executive Assistant Vacant 

Executive Office Clerk Ellen Fournier 236 

Executive Elder John Peters Sr. 490 

Councillor (Dèshìtàn) Alex Oakley 236 

Councillor (Kùkhhittàn) Sandy Smarch 236 

Councillor (Yanyèdí) Duane Gastant’Aucoin 236 

Councillor (Ishkìtàn) Kristyne Geddes 236 

Councillor (Dakhł’awèdí) 

Director of Implementation 

Isabelle Dewhurst 236 

and Negotiations Kim Smarch 425 

Justice Negotiatior Georgina Sydney 257 

Main Receptionist Mildred Jackson 221 

Communications Coordinator Ian Freeman 225 

Board Room 485 

Public Phone 486 

FINANCE (Fax: 390-2413) 

Director Pat Wiens 229 

AP Darryl Kremer 228 

Finance Admin. Assistant Jody Sydney 506 

Payroll Carlene Hycha (P/T) 233 

Finance Supervisor Bernadette Wolfe 231 

A&R & Collections Officer Matthias Liniger 496 

Banks/Investment Officer Sharon Sterritt 258 

IT Manager Rick Scramstad 240 

IT Trainee Jocelyn Boutilier 451 

Citizenship/Records 

Administrator CJ Marian Sheldon 477 

CAPITAL & INFRASTRUCTURE (FAX: 390-2164) 

Director Bob Magill 234 

Office Manager Vacant 227 

Housing Clerk Wanda Jackson 253 

Project Manager Tod Smarch 263 

Materials Manager Richard Horne 247 

Property Manager Randy Keleher 248 

Maintenance Mike Smarch 248 

Maintenance Daniel Morin 248 

Custodian/Maint./Security Mike Callaghan 479/386 

Custodian Joseph Smith 245 

Garage/Training Centre GeorgeWolfe 483 

HEALTH & SOCIAL fAx: (390-2130) 

juSTICE fAx: (390-2175) ELCC fAx: (390-2334) 

Director Kyle Keenan 330 

Administrative Assistant Charlene Peters 334 

TFA Intake Clerk Lisa Boutilier 426 

Home Support Worker Vacant 331 

Health Manager Lori Joe 327 

Home/Com. Care Coordinator Jade McGinty 323 

Program Coordinator Mary Rose Sydney 329 

Wellness Counsellor Lyall Herrington 518 

Traditional Counsellor Vacant 518 

Meals-Wheels Coordinator Donna Dickson 333 

ELCC Manager Patty Wiseman 421 

AHS Instructor Natalie Derrick 436 

Prenatal Coordinator Jodi Jules 324 

Justice Coordinator Annie Johnston 322 

Justice Clerk Martina Baker 336 

Public Phone 332 

LANDS & RESOURCES (Fax: 390-2116) 

Director Blanche Warrington 424 

Administrative Assistant Kendra Sallis 427 

Renewable Resource Mgr. Tracy Boyes 428 

Lands & Env. Officer Connie Jules 430 

Fish & Wildlife Officer Vacant 429 

GIS Administrator Linda Sidney 422 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 

(Fax: 390-2176) 

Director James Smarch 497 

Capacity Dev. Manager Marie Davies 456-4806 

Recruitment Staff Relations 

Officer Carlene Hycha 255 

Human Resource Specialist Judy Corley 504 

Workforce Dev. Administrator Darlene Skookum 242 

Senior Support Worker Robin Smarch 239 

Support Worker (Whse) Lenora Minet 667-8665 

School Elder Tim Dewhurst 390-2570 

School Elder Sam Johnston 390-2570 

Training Room (Admin Bldg) 256 

Training Room (Training Ctr.) 478 

HERITAGE (Fax: 390-2156) 

Director Tip Evans 383 

Administrative Assistant Roberta Jackson 390 

Business/Marketing Manager Lisa Dewhurst 382 

Reception 381 

Community Arts Coordinator Vacant 

Celebration 2011 Coordinator Bev Morris 384 

Language/Culture Coordinator Doug Smarch Jr. 244 

Elder’s Room 243 

YUKON MINE TRAINING ASSOCIATION 

(Fax: 390-2508) 

Training Liaison Worker Brandy Greenwood 387 

TLE’NAX T’AWEI LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 

TESLIN FAX: 390-2128, WHITEHORSE FAX: 456-4807 

President Richard Sidney 456-4202 

Chief Executive Officer Justin Halowaty 456-4202 

Chief Operations Officer Bill Dallas 456-4502 

Human Resource Manager Desiree Balderas 456-4202 

Teslin Outfitting Manager Ken Reeder 333-5455 

Whse. Beverages Manager Kelly Kirby 667-2273 

Klondike Bus. Solutions Mgr John MacPhail 668-3082 

New West Technologies Mgr. Paul Scholz 668-4054 

Gen.Waste Management Mgr Clayton Hadley 633-3138 

Yukon Inn Manager Brenda Riis 667-2527 

OTHERS: 

TTC WHITEHORSE OffICE 456-4806 

TTC WHITEHORSE OffICE (fAx) 668-7994 

BROOkS, BROOk 390-2280 

THOmAS COOk TRAvEL 668-2867 

YukOn GOvERnmEnT 1-800-661-0408 

YukOn Inn 1-800-661-0454 OR 667-2527

Deslin Neek - Teslin Tlingit Council

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