DAWSON CITY The Tr'ond'k Hw'ch'in are feeling like their relationship with the Yukon Party government doesn't mean much anymore.

In spite of deals like the North Yukon Economic Partnership Agreement signed last summer, Darren Taylor, the first nation's chief, is quick to characterize the current state of things as 'pretty sour.'

Speaking from a cell phone while on the way to a pow wow in Alberta, Taylor indicated that the latest grievance his first nation has with the Fentie government concerns the recent establishment of a turnaround, constructed for tour buses near the Angelcomb Mountain Trail in Tombstone Park.

In a statement issued last Friday, the Tr'ond'k Hw'ch'in protest that the government's creation of the turnaround without consulting the first nation is an insult and a violation of land claims agreements related to that area. Elders staged a protest at the site that day.

That's not the only issue outstanding though, according to Taylor.

'There's a compilation of issues. We've had very little success with this government. We had very little involvement in the bridge project; our proposal was rejected right on the outset.'

The Tr'ond'k Hw'ch'in were part of a consortium of first nations which was judged unqualified to pursue the Yukon River bridge project in Dawson. That was decided even after the first nation had provided the government with a ringing endorsement of the project in the understanding that some economic benefits would come its way.

Taylor cites government promises of priority bidding on the use of equipment and resources for the project, but the page of items in the bridge tender document listed very little that the first nation could actually do.

'There's been a lack of consultation on the territorial government's part on major projects that are being contemplated in our traditional territory,' he said.

'The only involvement we've had has been in initial discussions where they would get our support and give us certain assurances but in the followup ... there seems to be no consultation with us.'

Taylor is wondering about the remaining mega-project in Dawson: the multi-level health care facility.

'They've had no discussions with us at the community level about this.'

There have also been continuing issues related to Tombstone Park, including the management plan which is still not complete, and the interpretive centre. Its construction was scuttled last year by disagreements between the first nation and the Minister of the Environment, who happens to be the Klondike's MLA, Peter Jenkins.

The press release questions whether Jenkins is truly 'looking after the issues of his constituents,' but Taylor himself takes the criticism a step further.

'Does the premier, in fact, know what's happening at that level?' he asked. 'All our initial discussions were with the premier, and then obviously they're handed off to the bureaucrats and the MLA. Things seem to go off track at that point in time.

'We've had certain assurances from Mr. Jenkins about how things were to transpire, and they don't seem to be panning out, for whatever reason.'

The turnoff was an issue that arose this summer when tour buses began more determined forays up the Dempster Highway.

This year, they have been using a Yukon government gravel pit as a turnaround spot.

Next year, with the Westmark Hotel expansion in Dawson in operation, there will be more traffic, so discussions began about creating a more appropriate place for this to happen.

'We were assured that we would have the opportunity to take this issue to the elders and have their input,' said Taylor.

'We recognized the fact that the tourist season was coming to an end and we'd deal with this issue over the winter and have something put in place for the next tourism season.

'Of course, the government just went ahead and did whatever they pleased.'

Taylor said he was told it was a safety issue. However, he doesn't see why it would have become urgent now and could not have awaited for the process to unfold.

'Why develop it now without any consultation?'

That question, and many others, will be on Taylor's list when Premier Dennis Fentie and his cabinet meet the people here on Oct.17.