MAYO In what was described as a civilized way to settle land disputes by governments, the Tr'ondek Hwech'in and Na-cho Nayak Dun First Nations have formalized their boundaries.

At a signing ceremony Wednesday, chiefs and elders of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in and the Na-Cho Nyak Dun signed a 'historic' agreement recognizing their respective boundaries.

'This accord will provide a strong foundation for our governments to move forward and work together,' said Na-cho Nyak Dun Chief Simon Mervyn Sr., whose traditional territory is around Mayo.

The accord, he said, recognizes both first nations' traditional territory and a shared area of overlap where both nations can share the land.

'It's been several years in the making ... hopefully it will provide an example for other governments to follow,' Mervyn said.

He pointed out that many boundaries disputes in the world are settled through violence instead of discussion.

Tr'ondek Hwech'in chief Darren Taylor, whose traditional territory surrounds Dawson City, said the official recognition of boundaries is an administrative tool that his and Na-cho Nyak Dun's governments will use in governing their nations.

'What I see here are administrative boundaries ... I see them as administrative boundaries to be used by our governments,' Taylor said.

He said any company or government looking to use or extract resources out of the traditional overlap area, which prior to Wednesday was an area which had no clear authority, will now know they must deal with a first nation before pursuing their plans.

'This tells them that there is no no-man's-land between (Dawson) and Mayo,' he said. 'They're going to have to deal with a first nation.'

Taylor said he too felt discussing boundaries is a good way to settle land issues.

'We are just re-affirming our boundaries and we didn't need anyone's help to do it.'

Andy Carvill, grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), said he was honoured to witness the signing and hopes all first nation governments can settle disputes in the same way.

'I'm honoured to witness this momentous occasion,' Carvill told delegates of the CYFN's general assembly.

'We all have overlaps ... this is just an example of how we can come together to jointly discuss our issues.

'It would be good if other governments could settle disputes in the same way.'