The first day of the Council of Yukon First Nations' (CYFN's) annual general assembly began on a somber note this morning, with Grand Chief Ruth Massie calling for a moment of silence for the six Yukon First Nations members who passed away this week.

As First Nations chiefs and their councils introduced themselves at the Whitehorse gathering, most extended their respect toward the family and friends of the recently deceased.

"My condolences go out to all the communities who are grieving right now,” said Chief Brenda Sam of the Ta'an Kwach'an First Nation.

The 31st assembly is taking place for the next three days at the High Country Inn Convention Centre. The assembly is being chaired by Massie and veteran lawyer Dave Joe of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

Commissioner Doug Phillips, Yukon MP Ryan Leef, Yukon Senator Dan Lang and Whitehorse Mayor Bev Buckway all spoke on different subjects this morning.

"Yesterday I attended the Adaka Cultural Festival and I was so impressed with what I saw,” said Phillips.

The strength in any culture is tradition, and, as the commissioner, he will try to bring arts and culture from First Nations communities across the territory to events he hosts in the future, Phillips said.

He congratulated young people for their ability to "move into the 21st century but still showcase the past.”

Lang talked about the changes in Ottawa with the Conservative majority government elected May 2.

"It's important to realize that there will be now be stability, which is good for the Yukon and good for Canada,” he said.

"The government has set the Yukon as a national priority ... now it's up to us to take advantage of this window of opportunity.”

Leef spoke of his first month in Ottawa as "quite the introduction.”

He said that lately, he's been reflecting on an analogy which he was told at the Yukon River Salmon Summit last month.

If you think of a spider web, said Leef, every strand represents something different, like family, education, restoring culture and history, the environment and health.

All the strands have to stay strong or the whole web weakens, he said.

"In the middle of the web is the Yukon; its people, land and fish,” said Leef. " We all have the responsibility to keep our one strand strong.”

Leef finished by saying Yukoners need to work on three things: communicating, building and maintaining strong partnerships, and taking action.

Buckway spoke about how fortunate we are to live in such a tight-knit community.

"In times of need and change, we can look towards each other,” she said.

Buckway also emphasized the need to move forward with an open mind as resources diminish and demands rise.

We need to look at new ways of doing things, and new partnerships, she said.

"How can we achieve a common vision for the Yukon?” she asked.

The assembly continued this afternoon with a review of the 2010 assembly's resolutions.

Tomorrow, the CYFN will discuss future political strategies and priorities.

Premier Darrell Pasloski will address the assembly and Shawn Atleo, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, will speak via Skype.