The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) has rejoined the public process to review and update the Children's Act, Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers confirmed this afternoon

Cathers told the Star that CYFN Grand Chief Andy Carvill and Premier Dennis Fentie met Monday. Carvill told the premier he'd been instructed by the Yukon chiefs to rejoin the consultation process.

Carvill was unavailable for comment.

Cathers said he cannot speak on behalf of the CYFN, but did note there were ongoing communications last week between the offices of the grand chief and premier. The council announced a week ago Friday that it was withdrawing from the process, citing a failure by the Yukon government to work co-operatively and in partnership with the CYFN.

At the time, Carvill pointed to a document released by the government regarding the Children's Act review, calling it proposed legislation in the eyes of 11 of the 14 Yukon first nations that belong to the CYFN.

First nations, Carvill said, were particularly incensed because the large majority of children in care under the authority of the Children's Act are of aboriginal descent.

The Yukon government, however, countered with its argument that what CYFN was viewing as proposed legislation was nothing more than a discussion paper, and that in fact, government officials thought the council would be releasing its own paper for discussion.

'The grand chief and the premier met and Grand Chief Carvill advised he had received the mandate from the Yukon first nations to re-engage us in the Children's Act review,' Cathers said.

He said Yukon first nations will be a full partner to the process, and will be a member of the working group that provides direction to the lawyers responsible for drafting the new legislation.

The intent is to have the new legislation ready for the fall sitting of the legislature, said Cathers.

Fentie must call a general election by November.