Despite a clause in the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) between the Yukon Liberals and NDP, Kate White was not welcome at last Friday’s Yukon Forum.

The Yukon Party says that leaves Yukoners wondering if this will affect the NDP’s support of the Liberal government.

The NDP leader was noticeably absent from last Friday’s meeting. It turns out that was at the behest of the First Nations leaders, who said they didn’t want her there just yet as a regular participant.

Grand Chief Peter Johnston made that clear during a post-Forum news conference.

Johnston said bluntly the invitation wasn’t extended because the Forum’s First Nation members are not sure they want the NDP to attend the forums immediately.

He said they were happy with the rapport they had developed with the Liberal government – and didn’t wish to disrupt that.

At some point in the future, Johnston said, there might be more point in inviting White to attend, but he wasn’t sure when that could happen.

The CASA, signed in late April, has the NDP supporting the minority Liberal government until January 2023.

It includes a clause calling for the government to ask Forum participants to permit White and the NDP to attend.

It wasn’t a binding motion in the CASA that White would definitely attend the gatherings.

Rather, it was clear it would be at the discretion of the members. The government would only be obligated to make the gesture under the agreement.

Premier Sandy Silver had little to add to Johnston’s comments on the issue.

On Tuesday, White issued the following statement:

“Grand Chief Johnston and I had a productive exchange, and I’m very appreciative of the discussions we’ve been having,” she said.

“I’m excited to continue to work together with Yukon First Nations and Grand Chief Johnston to ensure that First Nations’ rights and interests are upheld in all forms of government decision-making.”

She didn’t directly address the issue of not being invited to the Forum.

The Yukon Party noted Tuesday the CASA laid out many commitments to be executed in a short amount of time – with little detail provided.

“One of those was having the leader of the NDP at the Yukon Forum,” the official Opposition party said.

“The CASA stated the premier would send a letter by May 15 to First Nation members requesting ‘the full participation of the leader of the Yukon NDP caucus.’ Both the premier and NDP leader would sign the letter.

“The first Yukon Forum of 2021 was held on June 4,” the Yukon Party added.

“Yukoners are wondering if the NDP participated and, if not, why not, and will it affect their support of the Liberals?”