Photo by Photo Submitted
Chief Roberta Joseph
First Nation pulls support for fibre optic line
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) have formally withdrawn their support for the Dempster Highway Fibre optic Line Project and have requested that work be stopped immediately.
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) have formally withdrawn their support for the Dempster Highway Fibre optic Line Project and have requested that work be stopped immediately.
The First Nation’s withdrawal has been delivered in writing to the Yukon government, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in said Tuesday.
It comes “after TH’s concerns related to the project were ignored for months, including the project’s impacts on the environment and on-the-land heritage values and lack of local benefits,” the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in said in a statement.
The Yukon government is spearheading a $70-million project to run an underground fibre optic cable along the Dempster Highway corridor from the Dawson City area to Inuvik, N.W.T.
Barring any unexpected labour and/or supply shortages, the project is expected to be completed in 2024.
“Recently, a small fuel spill (about 100 litres) occurred at the project site, and there was significant disturbance at a heritage site,” the First Nation said.
“Both are being remediated by the contractor, but could have been avoided if greater care had been taken.
“As well, promised benefits for locals, including employment for TH citizens and First Nation-owned businesses, have not materialized.”
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in said they understand the benefits of improved communications connectivity and have worked with the proponent over the past several years to achieve a successful project.
“Since these latest developments, TH has reached out, yet again, to the Yukon government to discuss potential solutions.”
Chief Roberta Joseph said the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in government and citizens “should reasonably expect meaningful involvement in projects occurring in our traditional territory and respect for the land and our sacred cultural and traditional places. Neither of those things have happened.
“We have raised our concerns with the Yukon government for months, but they have not given our views appropriate consideration.
“It appears yet another major project will occur in our traditional territory with little regard for local benefits or heritage and environmental impacts,” Joseph added.
“This approach does not incorporate the spirit of reconciliation, and defines poor partnership and collaboration.”
The Star asked cabinet communications staff for a response to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in concerns. A statement was released early this afternoon.
“Work is progressing on the Dempster fibre line project, an 800-kilometre fibre optic line along the Dempster Highway from Dawson City, Yukon, to Inuvik, Northwest Territories,” the statement said.
“Discussions and engagement have been ongoing with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation government since this project began.
“We are committed to continue to meet with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation to address their concerns and discuss potential solutions.”
The statement continued, “Ensuring this project’s success is a high priority for our government as it will benefit communities in the Yukon and Northwest Territories by providing a backup line in the event of a service disruption and provide more reliable Internet and cellphone services.”
The territory has suffered major telecommunications failures for the past several years, frequently caused by contractors severing key fibre optic lines in B.C.
The last massive Internet failure in early July. Customers all over the Yukon were deprived of service for most of a day and evening.
Northwestel Inc. cited an incident of “significant land erosion” in northern B.C. for that service breakdown.
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Comments (36)
Up 5 Down 2
drum on Sep 13, 2022 at 10:15 pm
Where do the First Nations get their money? Taxpayers.
The minority rule this country, We have a Liberal Government,
Up 31 Down 10
Indigeneity Deity on Sep 10, 2022 at 7:10 pm
@ Yukoner61 on Sep 9, 2022 at 10:47 pm:
It has everything to do with the L-NDP alliance. Notwithstanding the unsettled arguments about coalition governments they subverted the process of democracy with the unnecessary use of the emergency measures act - Repeatedly, they should be held accountable through an inquiry/tribunal.
Now we have Roberta Joseph acting unilaterally to halt the development of benefits for “all” people - Not just the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. She was not elected in a general election by all people - Just the TH citizens who bothered to vote.
Because the L-NDP have sat on the sides failing to represent their people in this matter their democracy is subverted. Roberta Joseph now becomes their dictator - Thanks L-NDP for nothing.
The world is not bound by your perspective, however, your ability to think is! This applies to your current argument as well as to those who will not benefit from greater connectivity - Their world has been made smaller!
The two problems are intertwined and of the same mindset - Dictatorial.
Up 28 Down 7
You People Disgust Me! on Sep 10, 2022 at 6:19 am
Juniper Jackson on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm:
Absolutely agree with you JJ. Most people say I look white. However, I don’t know. I have never submitted my DNA to 23 and Me for analysis. With all this controversy raised by the a**holes who have assumed power I am pretty certain I won’t.
This raises some significant concerns for me about those who claim a cultural identity. How do you know? Can you show me your 23 and Me score? I thought not. It is a well known fact that many of the Indigenous peoples who crossed the land bridge into what later became known as North America had about 30% or so of European genetic material.
Anyway, my point is this. No one knows who they are. They have beliefs but that is not the same as “knowing”. And these beliefs have real world consequences. For example, I said hello to George at the corner of 2nd and Main St. I know George and take the time to say hello wherever and whenever I see him. I have known him for a long time.
This time he asked me to buy some earrings from him. However, I declined to purchase some earrings from him because - I did not want to be called a RAYCIST engaging in cultural appropriation. Apparently, this is a one way street (Which is RAYCISM). I don’t go around calling cultural others RAYCIST and cultural appropriators because they are wearing Adidas, Nikes, Levi’s, Wranglers, while consuming McDonalds, Timmies, Coke or Pepsi for example.
Their 23 and Me could reveal that they are more “white” than “red”, or “brown”, or… Show me your 23 and Me! Meanwhile, it’s people like George who suffer. This is the reality of Indigenous to other RAYCISM - It divides us. It makes me think twice, three times, or even every time about helping others - NO person should like the label RAYCIST because it is a sign of our collective pathology - Sorry Depeche Mode but, people are not people, they are perception… FFS!
I am sorry George!
Up 56 Down 7
Dave on Sep 10, 2022 at 4:15 am
Let the Tron’dek go without internet for a week and they’d suddenly realize that they do get a benefit out of this as well. As a life long Yukoner I’ve come to realize that nothing is ever be good enough or satisfactory, the more that’s given and offered just means that more is demanded.
Up 35 Down 9
Yukoner61 on Sep 9, 2022 at 10:47 pm
@Disgusted By
This has nothing to do with the NDP, and removing the Liberals would not help since they are the ones trying to get the thing built.
The key here is for Trondek to elect a new Chief and get rid of Roberta Joseph before she halts any and all development in the region.
Up 37 Down 7
A.S. on Sep 9, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Intentional or not, our leftist politicians have led the country into a cul -de-sac. Our politics are religiously partisan and cynical. Our communities have been fragmented. All that is required to destroy the country is a period of sustained hardship and scarcity, which the covidiots and climate change zealots are striving to supply.
FN leaders, what happens if the tax dollars disappear? What have you built for your people that will sustain them if the money tap in Ottawa is shut off? What would the Yukon look like a year from now if Canada abandoned it and all the 'colonizers' left?
FN people. our leaders are taking you down a dark path. Divisiveness can only provide temporary returns in times of plenty. In times of scarcity it will bring ruin.
Up 5 Down 28
Heathen on Sep 9, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Good stance from TR. I don’t think anyone wants to see this project held up/cancelled but if promises were made to TR in terms of local employment, and remediation those like any contract should be honoured. If as reported heritage sites are being disturbed they certainly have grounds to be unhappy. I’d also add If TR didn’t take this position it would have basically signalled they could be walked all over in other projects. The solution is simple honour the promises made (or make a very good case why they can’t, e.g. lack of applications) and business can carry on.
Up 33 Down 10
bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 5:14 pm
@Enough on Sep 8, 2022. Couldn't have said it better. I have been accused of being a racist so many times, I'm getting to like the label.
Up 65 Down 7
Juniper Jackson on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm
One can disagree with policy, with actions, with a blatant one sided government, and not be a racist. Racism is being used as a weapon these days, disagree? Then you're a racist. Don't give me the job, although, i can't read or write, you're a racist. I recently got called out for wearing beaded earrings, made by a FN woman. I was appropriating their culture? They sold them to me! Happy enough to take my money.
My only point about this divisive culture that is developing in the Yukon, is, I don't like it. White dudes? FN dudes? Refugee dudes, and all the dudettes, better get your ***t together. Like it or not, we share this land, no one is going anywhere, so we better learn to play nice. Our sandbox is not that big, but it is big enough to accommodate everyone.
Up 64 Down 9
Disgusted by the racial politics consuming our ability to move forward together! on Sep 9, 2022 at 10:01 am
Heave ho - Roberta Joseph and the L-NDP have got to go!
Up 76 Down 5
Enough on Sep 8, 2022 at 9:45 pm
When the Liberals were elected they started doing more consultations than ever before. They said by dealing more respectfully with FNs and partnering with them, more would get done and more get built around the territory.
The whole "nice guy" approach of the Liberals has obviously failed. First Nations seem to be throwing up proverbial road blocks all over the territory despite everything they are getting, like their own procurement policy for example.
We might as well put the Yukon Party back in power so we can stop wasting time and money in an attempt to appease people who cannot be appeased.
Up 59 Down 7
bonanzajoe on Sep 8, 2022 at 8:44 pm
@BnR on Sep 8, 2022: I smell the odour of money in all this. Palms need to be greased.
Up 51 Down 17
bonanzajoe on Sep 8, 2022 at 8:41 pm
We're still waiting for the evidence that your ancestors were here for thousands of years. I'm sure archaeologists would have come up with something by now. I mean after all they found remains of animals. Where are the human remains?
Up 33 Down 4
Nathan Living on Sep 8, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Were promises made? If so, honour them.
Crown Land is traditional territory in many cases. What is the legal obligation for consultation and development?
A fiber optic trench is minimal disturbance. Is the concern by TH substantive in the context of vehicle collisions with wildlife on roads, gravel pits along the highway and the highway maintenance itself?
Up 14 Down 37
Joe on Sep 8, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Didn’t know we had so much racist in the Yukon
Up 38 Down 8
Groucho d'North on Sep 8, 2022 at 4:38 pm
@ NOPE & Observer
In your zeal to argue a previous post by John, you missed or chose to ignore his point. Traditional Territory and Crown land are the same thing, doesn't matter who was here first, it got negociated into law back in the early 90s in the Umbrealla Final Agreement.
Up 74 Down 13
BnR on Sep 8, 2022 at 4:30 pm
“Recently, a small fuel spill (about 100 litres) occurred at the project site, and there was significant disturbance at a heritage site,”
How many litres of fuel have FN citizens spilled into the Yukon river over the years?
Y’know, the whole idea of consultation has never been defined and is, essentially, a moving target depending on the whims of leadership on any given day.
Want to know why nothing ever gets accomplished in a timely manner here?
Here’s the answer right here.
Up 75 Down 8
Groucho d'North on Sep 8, 2022 at 4:24 pm
This whole Traditional Territories issue is becoming a quagmire in recent months. I recall the 1990 UFA signing ceremony when Judy Gingell said words to the effect of: "Now we need to determine what it all means."
Here we are 30 something years later and there is still confusion on who has authority on A, B and C lands.
It appears that some first nations believe they have decision making powers on C lands also known as Crown land or as our current Liberal government has decided to call them - Public Lands. If this was an intentional effort to confuse these matters, the Libs succeeded.
So I invite Mr. Silver or whomever will draw the short straw to produce a plain language document that defines the negociated UFA land divisions and what can be done on them and who has the authority to make decisions regarding them today. The First Nations seem to believe they have veto abilities on public/Crown lands as witnessed by the hunting restrictions they have imposed contrary to statute and regulations and their demands related to this fibre fiasco.
Up 77 Down 4
Jeff Bikaboom on Sep 8, 2022 at 12:54 pm
A small trench, that will be immediately filled in, on an existing highway right of way will have zero impacts on the environment or on-the-land heritage values. There are biologists and archeologists on site to confirm this. It is my understanding construction will work around bird season, rut season, etc.
As for "lack of local benefits". Perhaps a fast reliable communication network that you pay nothing to have installed is a benefit.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of how the 70 million is being spent. How much to construction and how much to protect birds, inspect for archeological sites, etc.
Up 24 Down 56
Al on Sep 8, 2022 at 11:46 am
Damn y'all still tryna to run the show on their land after all these hundreds of years. Persistent like hellhounds.
Up 23 Down 69
Nope on Sep 8, 2022 at 10:29 am
@John
You couldn't be more wrong. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in existed for thousands of years before European step for on this continent. Canada is only 153 years old.
Up 76 Down 8
Sheepchaser on Sep 8, 2022 at 9:26 am
With the territory’s entire infrastructure being handed over (fibre network, MEDIVAC, road maintenance, etc), will that critical infrastructure now be held hostage for political purposes every time there’s a government to government spat?
Up 81 Down 11
Yukoner on Sep 8, 2022 at 7:30 am
If TH wants the work, build a company to do it and then bid on the work. The government is giving so much bid assistance to FN companies they would be sure to win.
Up 54 Down 11
George Moss on Sep 8, 2022 at 7:18 am
Lotsa pissin and moanin going on, sounds like sour grapes to me…..
Up 67 Down 3
Mark on Sep 7, 2022 at 10:55 pm
Alex. The reason the Dempster Highway route was chosen is because it creates a fibre ring that, if broken, automatically re-routes internet traffic in the other direction. Service is not disrupted and therefore businesses can still process payments, students can do homework, we can read on-line newspapers, etc. if the so called “Alaska route” was chosen, then there would be some protection from a service disruption but only for some Yukon communities. Moreover, the Alaska route would not give any protection to any communities in the NWT. Albeit we may have a Yukon-centric perspective, I encourage readers to consider that any solution that helps other Territories and provinces is worth considering. Note that Northwestel serves Nunavut, NWT, Yukon, and northern BC and it is appropriate for the company to invest to support as many customers as possible in a large geographical region. Incidentally there is not to many places north of 60 that are not a challenge for maintenance.
Lastly I encourage the TH to consider the positive implications of having reliable communications for its citizens and others. Accidents happen and certainly everyone needs to be respectful of each other and the environment. I do not know the full details of your concerns but I always expect an appropriate and measured response by all. parties involved.
Up 17 Down 23
bonanzajoe on Sep 7, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Racism: "Cause and effect".
Up 75 Down 9
Robert Smith on Sep 7, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Amateur hour. TH owns the fibre lines part of a FN partnership that purchased it from Northwestel less than 2 months ago. Why is that not mentioned in the article?
If TH wanted to be actual stewards they would have done some more work in the background and used their ownership rights to effect change. What about the 6 other FNs on the route?
It is 2022. Putting out an inflammatory pr that does not stand up to scrutiny does not help anyone.
Further.. a bit of research would confirm the largest contractor is a FN owned business. Not TH but northern FN.
Up 21 Down 65
Observer on Sep 7, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Dear John, perhaps before making ignorant comments, read a FNFA and educate yourself on the new world. Yes this is Canada, TH was here before that.
Up 83 Down 14
Anie on Sep 7, 2022 at 6:17 pm
If those cultural and traditional places are indeed "sacred" then the FN Government should have protected them in the land claims process. How about the politicians start representing all yukoners and comply with the UFA as written, instead of caving to every attempt to circumvent it?
Up 82 Down 15
My Opinion on Sep 7, 2022 at 6:02 pm
These guys can never stick to a deal no matter what. It is time to just say no to these guys. You cannot just keep coming back for more in perpetuity. Northwestel already gifted them the entire existing fibre network. So when there is a problem call them. See how that works for ya.
Up 32 Down 20
Yukoner1 on Sep 7, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Will a reporter finally ask why we aren't using the redundant fiber that already exists, going into Alaska? Yes folks, there is a line that goes into Alaska via Beaver Creek that, conveniently, no one wants to talk about. The is no need for the Dempster Fiber.
Up 181 Down 45
John on Sep 7, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Traditional territory is called Canada. The work benefits Canadians , including citizens of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.
Up 10 Down 104
Matt on Sep 7, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Instead of fibre optic cable, we should put a medivac aircraft 24/7 in all Northern Communities ......who needs communication.
Up 146 Down 21
John on Sep 7, 2022 at 4:01 pm
Surprise, surprise. This is not a "major" project in terms of the construction. When completed one will not even know it is there. It is major in terms of end user benefits and overall costs.
But it is apparent some like to hold things up "because we let them"...
Up 46 Down 93
moe on Sep 7, 2022 at 4:00 pm
$70 million for a couple thousand people to have back up internet and cell phone service sounds like a bad deal to me. Go ahead and pull the plug!
Up 105 Down 27
Alex on Sep 7, 2022 at 3:23 pm
The Dempster route was the wrong choice to begin with. Nearly impossible to provide maintenance on 10 months of the year.
The best option was always the WP&Y railbed route to Skagway and the undersea fibre.
Stay tuned for more frequent internet/telecom outages in the future.