The Carcross-Tagish First Nation became the 11th to approve its land claim and self-government agreements, after three days of voting that ended Saturday.

Chief Mark Wedge said today the final count won't be available for about a week to ensure all mail-in ballots have arrived, though the numbers tallied so far have already confirmed endorsement of the agreements.

He said the federal government's stipulation that at least 50 per cent plus one of all eligible voters must approve the package was met, with 53 or 54 per cent voting in favour so far.

The first nation's requirement that at least 60 per cent of those who cast ballots must vote in favour was also met, with some 65 per cent saying yes, Wedge explained.

While 73 per cent of all eligible voters participated from inside and outside the Yukon when only the number of eligible voters inside the Yukon are counted, the turnout was 87 per cent.

Members of the first nation rejected the agreements in their first vote a year ago, but decided last fall in a referendum to hold a second vote.

A year ago, the vote wasn't even close.

Wedge believes the much higher turnout this time, resulting in what he described as a clear mandate, was likely the product on an intense information campaign over the last year.

'I think they were more informed,' the chief said of the membership. 'And we always said we wanted the people to make an informed decision.'

Last year, the chief and executive council took the position that it would remain neutral on the question, so as not to influence either side. This time around, however, Canada insisted that it was going to permit a second vote, it would require stated support for the agreements by the chief and executive council.

Under the proposed land claim agreement, the first nation would receive $23.74 million over 15 years, less a repayment over the same period of $14 million advanced to the first nation to finance negotiations. The loan amount also included $1.7 million to finance the monthly benefit payments for elders.

The agreements also call for a $5.3-million payment to cover interest on the compensation amount from 1997, a $5.6-million economic development fund and several million in annual and one-time payments to cover other programs and services.

Under the package, the Carcross-Tagish First Nation will have surface and subsurface title to 1,036 square kilometres (400 square miles) and surface-title only to 525.5 sq. km (203 sq. m).

In addition, the agreement also provided for title to smaller site-specific locations in recognition of traditional hunting and fishing camps, and so forth. There was also the provision for the establishment of four special management areas.

Wedge said with the first nation having accepted the agreement, it will now be easier as a self-governing first nation to implement initiatives already underway by the first nation, such as the goal for passing a Family Act.

The act, he said, will deal with the traditional approach to doing business, with an aim to promote healing in the community.

Of the utmost importance is the need to complete a land use planning exercise for the first nation's traditional territory, Wedge said.

The chief explained that identifying what land can be used for what is essential for a variety of reasons, such as promoting tourism and other economic development opportunities.

The White River First Nation, the Liard First Nation and the Ross River Dena Council have all rejected the land claim process.

The Kaska and Canada broke off negotiations three years ago. The Kaska have launched a lawsuit against Canada, accusing the federal government of underhanded business and backdoor deals.

White River, though it had concluded a proposed agreement, decided this past winter not to hold a vote on the package.

The federal government's mandate to negotiate land claim agreements in the Yukon ended March 31.

If, for instance, White River indicated a willingness to re-engage the land claim process, it would take a new mandate by the federal cabinet to resume negotiations in the territory.