A letter from the Teslin Tlingit Council is a sign the premier should can the Environment minister as far as the opposition is concerned.

'Mr. (Jim) Kenyon has to go,' Liberal Leader Pat Duncan said today about the Environment minister.

'The premier should fire him.'

NDP Environment critic Lorraine Peter reiterated the suggestion she made last fall that Premier Dennis Fentie needs to remove Kenyon from the Environment portfolio and install someone who will listen to first nations.

The letter to Fentie, dated Wednesday, was written by Teslin Tlingit Council Chief Eric Morris.

The letter condemns Kenyon for going ahead with changes to the Wildlife Act regulations which will permit game farms and keeping wild animals in captivity.

'As per our attached letter dated Oct. 15, 2003 to Jim Kenyon, YTG minister of Environment re: Captive wildlife and game farming, we, the Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC) reiterate our stance that we do not support wildlife in captivity or game farming,' Morris wrote to Fentie.

In the letter, the chief indicates there are resolutions and council legislation which supports the TTC's stance.

He writes that the first nation's final agreement backs this up with the following clause: 'Nothing in this or any other chapter is intended to confer right of ownership in any fish or wildlife.'

Morris states in the letter that his first nation is not alone.

'We have also received copies of correspondence and resolutions sent to your government from other Yukon first nations with similar legislation on this matter.'

Morris makes clear what he and his council feel the premier should do with these regulations.

'The Teslin Tlingit Council is requesting you, in your capacity as government leader, to reject minister Kenyon's decisions on the proposed regulations for wildlife in captivity.'

The letter also raises another concern.

'We also want to state that the Teslin Tlingit Council was at no time given meaningful consultation as a self-governing first nation by your government on the proposed regulations for wildlife in captivity, which breaches your government's obligation per TTC's final agreement.'

According to the letter, the final agreement states the government must consult with the first nation prior to doing something concerning fish or wildlife that may affect the first nation's responsibilities.'

Peter said the government has to heed these concerns.

'The message is very clear they need to do more consultation,' she said.

'He hasn't listened to the first nations at all.'

'There is very clearly pointed criticism over how Mr. Kenyon has dealt with this issue,' Duncan said about the minister.

'Mr. Kenyon's proven he's incapable of working with anybody but himself.'

Cabinet spokesman Peter Carr said today cabinet staff are currently reviewing the letter from the TTC and refused to make Kenyon available for comment.

He noted that Fentie, who is in Ottawa meeting with Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, has yet to read the letter.