Bad weather put an unexpected hitch into plans for the meeting of Canada’s premiers and National Aboriginal Organizations (NAO) in Haines Junction today.

Fog in the village meant the planes carrying the 13 premiers couldn’t safely land, forcing everyone to stay back in Whitehorse.

The planes had also been planned to carry the leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, the Indigenous Peoples’ Assembly of Canada, the Inuit Tabiit Kanatami, the Métis National Council and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Today marks the first day of the Council of the Federation’s three-day summer meeting in Whitehorse. It’s the Yukon’s first time hosting the summit of Canada’s provincial and territorial government leaders.

Today’s events included a panel discussion on economic development, with a presentation by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Steve Smith. They were relocated to Whitehorse’s Convention Centre at the Coast High Country Inn.

Despite the change in plans, cultural demonstrations and performances organized by the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations were to go ahead as planned in Haines Junction.

There was still the hope this morning that the skies would clear and the provincial, territorial and NAO leaders would fly out to Haines Junction this afternoon to catch the shows, said event spokesperson Line Gangon.

Kate Durand, an Executive Council Office spokesperson, did not confirm or deny if the leaders intended to make a second attempt at visiting the Junction this afternoon.

“Plans are still unfolding,” she said.

As for whether the scheduling hiccup will incur extra costs, Durand said a final costs will be determined after the Council of the Federation meetings end.

A tour of the Da Kų Cultural Centre, with information about the Champagne and Aishihik government, languages and traditions was also scheduled for today.

“It’s a bit disappointing,” Haines Junction Mayor Michael Riseborough told the Star.

“It would have been nice to showcase Haines Junction.”

With media from across Canada in the Yukon for the meetings, the leaders’ visit to Haines Junction would have put the village of about 593 people on the national stage.

Municipal staff were involved in setting up for the leaders’ visit, said Riseborough, but most of the planning was done by the Yukon government.

Playing host wasn’t expected to cost Haines Junction anything, he said.

The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations were the driving force behind the cultural presentations planned for today, and the show in Haines Junction will go on, rain or shine, leaders or none, said Gangon.

There will be performances by the Dakwäkäda Dancers, Southern Tutchone singer-songwriter Daniel Tlen, Gwitchin fiddler Boyd Benjamin, and Vancouver-based MCs Abstract Original and Komplex.

A showcase of beading, carving and other works, as well as live demonstrations by local crafts people and artists, will also carry on as planned.

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