Friday’s meeting between First Nation and Yukon government leaders was described as a game changer.

“This is one of the best days of my life in my career,” said Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations, who also served several years as the chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council.

“It is an honour to be part of the progress this territory is going to go through.”

“I agree,” Premier Sandy Silver told reporters during a late afternoon press conference following the meeting at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

“It is one of the most powerful days in my career.”

Chief Doris Bill of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation said Friday’s day-long Yukon Forum was unlike meetings between the First Nation and Yukon government leaders in the past when chiefs came away feeling they had not accomplished a lot.

“Today, the tone changed,” said Bill.

“And I heard people as they were leaving the room, they felt excited, they felt excited about going forward....

“We know it is going to be some give and take, but we are prepared to get to work with this new government.”

Yukon Forums in the past were few and irregular. But Silver promised during the 2016 territorial election campaign to change all that.

A Liberal government would work on building a partnership with the Yukon’s First Nations to tackle the issues of the territory together, he committed.

Silver, Johnston and Bill all exuded optimism during the press conference.

They all acknowledged the work ahead will not be easy. But they said they are all prepared to do it together.

The next Yukon Forum is scheduled for April, followed by meetings in September and December.

Johnston said at a high level, the issues fall under four general categories, including the implementation of the First Nation land claim and self-government agreements.

The First Nations want and need more involvement in the financial arrangements flowing from Ottawa that support the territory, he said.

“Those four big issues will allow us to get into more specific detail as we move forward,” he said.

The premier and chiefs of the First Nations signed the declaration “Working Together.”

“We the representatives of governments of the Yukon, hereby affirm our commitment to work together in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration,” reads the declaration.

“We remain committed to a constructive relationship that contributes to and promotes good governance for all Yukoners.”

The declaration commits the governments to:

• participate in four meetings a year, unless otherwise agreed;

• to have frank and respectful discussions to learn about the positions of others, and to have substantive outcomes;

• to ensure the Yukon Forum is focused on solutions;

• Create a joint, five-year action plan by April’s meeting that identifies common priorities;

• provide directions to officials to carry out specific duties and activities;

• maintain confidentiality about the discussions at the Yukon Forum and by any related working groups.

Silver said they will move forward cautiously to make sure they don’t tackle the hard issues first, to give themselves time to build friendship and rapport.

“Trust,” added Johnston.

Attending the meeting were the chiefs of the 11 self-governing First Nations and their political and support staff.

The deputy chief of the White River First Nation, one of three Yukon First Nations without land claim and self-government agreements, was also there.

Johnston emphasized the door to the Yukon Forum is open to all First Nations, including the two Kaska First Nations which do not have agreements.

Accompanying Silver was the entire Liberal caucus: his six cabinet ministers, and four MLAs, along with their political and support staff.

Silver said the day was emotional for him, from the traditional and ceremonial dances that opened the meeting through to the final remarks by Tr’öndek Hwech’in elder Percy Henry.

“I am drained, I really am, and so thankful to the elders who spoke to us today,” the premier said.

Silver said during the Liberals’ term in office over the next five years, his government will do as much as it can in the spirit of reconciliation, in the spirit of progress for the entire territory.

“I hope today was a major step toward reconciliation,” said Silver.

He too acknowledged the work and decisions that lie ahead will not be easy.

“I am encouraged going forward and I am looking forward to what we can accomplish together,” said Bill.

“If we work together and live up to those words we spoke in that room, we will build a better life together.”

The Kwanlin Dün chief said she doesn’t have a definition for reconciliation.

“But I will know it when it happens because I feel it in here,” she said, putting her hand over her heart.

Bill said flying the flag of the First Nation in the city may seem small, but to the citizens of Kwanlin Dün, it means a lot to see their flag being displayed by the city in their traditional territory.

The governments have agreed to bring their collective issues to Ottawa, to forge not just a bilateral arrangement between them but to push forward for a trilateral partnership that includes the federal government.

Silver said his government is equally committed to working with the three First Nations which do not have final agreements, and they will find a way to do that.