The three Northern Tutchone first nations have agreed to withdraw from the Yukon Forum.

The decision was passed during the Northern Tutchone Council Assembly held in Mayo last week.

The Little Salmon-Carmacks, Selkirk and Nacho N'yak Dun first nations will not be taking part in the future meetings of the Yukon Forum, which was established last winter.

The forum was meant to meet quarterly to work at establishing co-operation between the different levels of government in the Yukon.

Focusing on government-to-government relationships between first nations and the Yukon territorial government, the forum is suppose to help bring about more effective services and program delivery by both orders of government.

Little Salmon-Carmacks Chief Eddie Skookum said the decision was made because of a lack of respectful and meaningful relationship with the Yukon Party government.

'This has shaken the confidence of the Northern Tutchone first nations that the forum can succeed with its promise of partnership and collaboration on matters of interest to first nations,' said a press release issued by the council on Friday.

'It's letting them know that you need, for meaningful government-to-government talks, at the least, to come to some kind of solutions,' said Skookum.

It is hoped the announcement will send a clear message to the territorial government, he said, but added so far there has been no reaction or response from the government, which might just prove the point that it doesn't really care.

Premier Dennis Fentie was unavailable to comment.

'We have witnessed for three years Mr. Fentie saying the right thing but doing the exact opposite,' said Opposition Leader Todd Hardy.

The government needs to work with the first nations with respect, trust and honesty, he added, but Fentie does not seem to understand that.

'If agreements are not signed with respect than they are not worth the paper they are on, and they will fall apart,' he said.

There is a trend of first nations becoming very quiet in their approach to government and pulling back or becoming extremely vocal with Fentie, said Hardy.

'It's an indication of the growing dissatisfaction and concern,' he said. 'If you do not treat these other governments as they want to be treated they will withdraw.'

Skookum said he has heard there are other first nations thinking of withdrawing from the Yukon Forum.

The government's failure to have meaningful discussions regarding the Dawson City bridge, Tombstone Territorial Park and education are some key areas of frustration, he added.

Little Salmon Carmacks and Nacho N'yak Dun, along with Kwanlin Dun, have indicated they want to take over self-governing responsibility for their own education programs.

The Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation has also been locked in a fight over the Tantalus school reconstruction project for more than a year, but Skookum added those discussions have nothing to do with the ultimate decision to withdraw from the forum.

Regarding the transfer of education programs, Skookum said first nations have become tired of waiting around for government resources.

'We can do it at our own pace,' he said, adding there are discussions in the work to create partnerships with other first nations.

There will likely be other talks regarding the withdrawal from the forum and education programs in the near future, he said. A meeting with Kwanlin Dun will likely occur first.