The relationship between first nations and the Yukon government has always been 'up and down' regardless of which party is in power at the time, says Andy Carvill, grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN).

The comments came following the opening day of the fall sitting of the Yukon legislature Thursday when NDP Leader Todd Hardy introduced a motion that a new protocol be adopted between the territorial government and first nation leaders; and that the Cooperation in Governance Act be amended so there would be formal meetings between the two held annually and open to the public.

NDP house leader Steve Cardiff also proposed in a motion that committee of the whole sit twice in the evening during the sitting of the legislature, with one of those evenings providing an opportunity for first nation leaders to bring forward issues between the two governments. The other would be a session directed at residents living in poverty and/or homelessness to speak on their challenges.

The proposal comes just a couple of days after the Liberal opposition announced its plan to bring forward amendments to the Cooperation in Governance Act requiring the government to report annually on its consultations with first nations.

'I've looked at the amendment they're bringing forward and they're not actually saying anything new,' Hardy said of the Liberal proposal. 'They're not saying there's a different way to work together.'

The NDP proposal, he explained, would involve the entire legislative assembly working directly with first nation.

However, Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell took issue with the motion, noting it seems they felt a need to take the initiative from a different angle.

'I'm disappointed in the third party,' Mitchell said. 'I think it's gone on long enough where they're just playing patty-cake or softball back and forth with the government.'

The job of the opposition, he said, is to hold the government accountable.

Throughout question period yesterday, both the Liberals and NDP called for a better relationship between the government and first nations.

Questioning whether the government would consider his party's proposed amendment to the Co-operation In Governance Act, Mitchell argued it would be in the interest of improving relations with the territory's first nations.

Premier Dennis Fentie argued consultation is already enshrined in legislation.

'It clearly spells out what the obligations are for each government and what those obligations are intended to accomplish what the objectives are,' the premier argued.

First nations relations with the government continued to dominate question period with Fentie continually stating his position that the government is working with first nations on a number of issues.

After watching the debate inside the gallery of the legislature, Carvill told reporters: 'I've said it in the past; we continue to work together to forge a positive relationship for the benefit of all Yukoners.'

The relationship is continuing to evolve, he said.

Carvill noted his office would have to look at recommendations coming forward in the house.

'If there are areas for improvements in these agreements then, of course, I support what the NDP and the Liberals are tabling,' he said.

During the visit of federal Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Chuck Strahl on Nov. 5, Carvill and Fentie will be speaking with the federal minister about CYFN's headquarters as well as the nine-year review on a number of land claims in the territory.

The organization needs the federal government's support for an extension to remain in the building on Nisutlin Drive, Carvill explained.

'Unfortunately that's one area the nine-year review has proven there's not enough money to properly implement the obligations under the treaty,' Carvill said, after noting first nations will be seeking funding from the federal government for agreement obligations to be met.

Strahl will also be asked that his government look for a new mandate under the review with assistance for the north.

'Primarily, it's cooperative governance approach we want to take with Minister Strahl, show him the North is working together and that there's many issues we have to address. The key issue for this meeting is the nine-year review,' the grand chief said.

CYFN is currently looking at how much more money will be needed, but plans to have that figure ready when meetings start with Strahl.

Fentie also noted it would be bringing forward the nine-year review with CYFN.

'The report demonstrates the inadequacy of the federal government's obligations here in terms of what they are providing for implementation,' he said.

Neither Fentie nor Carvill would discuss the Paulsen court case, which quashed a government agricultural lease in favour of the Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation. The government is appealing the decision, with the federal government and Kwanlin Dun First Nation both recently filing for intervener status in the case.

Meanwhile, Fentie told reporters treaties with first nations in the territory already set out the obligations of first nation, territorial and federal governments.

'I don't dispute the opposition bringing forward their views and opinions on matters, but they are decades behind in what has been accomplished in the Yukon to date,' he said.

Numerous agreements outline the government's responsibility to consult with first nations, he said.